EVENTS
EVENTS Winterfest Celebration As one of Van Andel Institute’s final public events held prior to the transition to virtual events, the 15th annual Winterfest Celebration gave more than 400 donors, supporters and scientists the opportunity to gather for an evening of food, entertainment and insights — all in support of Parkinson’s disease research. Attendees enjoyed culinary delights from local restaurants and cocktails at Cascade Hills Country Club, accompanied by musical entertainment, a live and silent auction and a special appearance and remarks by Parkinson’s advocate Ron Rutkowski. In its 15-year history, this signature event has raised more than .1 million to benefit Parkinson’s research at VAI. (STARTING AT THE TOP LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE) GEORGE & MISSY SHARPE WITH CAROL & DAVID VAN ANDEL; GEOFF & LEEANNE WIDLAK & GUESTS SOCIALIZE; JASON LAMOREAUX; MIKE & SALLY MURDOCK WITH JIM & DIANE ZUBKAS; SILENT AUCTION ITEMS; GUESTS GATHERED FOR EVENING PRESENTATIONS; RON RUTKOWSKI 12 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
VAI Forum on Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s & Lewy Body Dementia In 2020, the Van Andel Institute Forum on Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s & Lewy Body Dementia was held in Naples, Florida — a welcome respite from the cold of a Michigan February. The evening — hosted by Mike and Lynette Ellis and Mike and Sue Jandernoa — featured presentations by VAI Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Peter A. Jones and VAI associate professors and neurodegenerative disease experts Dr. José Brás and Dr. Rita Guerreiro. A Q&A after the presentations gave attendees the chance to further explore how Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia are related and the significant strides being made toward the development of new diagnostics and therapies. (STARTING AT THE TOP LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE) MIKE JANDERNOA; DAVID VAN ANDEL, DAN GAYDOU, DAVE VAN PORTFLIET & JOHN ROWERDINK; MIKE & LYNETTE ELLIS, DR. RITA GUERREIRO, DR. JOSÉ BRÁS & MIKE & SUE JANDERNOA; ERIC HAUSLER, PETE JOUWSTRA & DONNA HAUSLER; DR. RITA GUERREIRO SOCIALIZES WITH SUE JANDERNOA & KAREN CUSTER; DAVID VAN ANDEL, DR. RITA GUERREIRO & DR. JOSÉ BRÁS; GUESTS SOCIALIZE AT GREY OAKS COUNTRY CLUB IN NAPLES, FLORIDA VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 13
