van andel institute's highlights of hope

These partnerships take on many different forms, and Regal Investment Advisors and Great Lakes Scrip Center have both created unique Purple Community events that yielded big results.

Thank You Regal Investment AdvisorsRegal Investment Advisors (Regal) kicked off a long-term partnership to support Van Andel Institute (VAI) by turning an annual event for their advisors into an educational fundraiser. Regal hosted more than 225 employees, clients and VAI supporters at a rooftop venue to enjoy a Chicago Cubs baseball game in

July 2014. The event raised $24,000 for disease research!

“It is a simple fact that everyone, at one time in their life, is touched by a genetic health issue,” said John Kailunas, II, Regal Investment Advisors founder and CEO. “We all have admiration for the researchers who help carry the burdens of that fight.”

Regal is developing new ways to engage its investment advisors with the mission of VAI and educating office visitors about Purple Community. They’re currently creating a plan to encourage all advisors to get involved in the partnership.

“We believe that everyone should do their part to fight for a cause,” said Kailunas. “It’s our goal that this partnership will help those dealing with a genetic disorder or disease.”

Great Lakes Scrip Center Team Members Rise to the Challenge

Employees at Great Lakes Scrip Center (GLSC) recently completed a year-long fundraising competition to benefit VAI. Employees kicked off their challenge with a tour and presentation at VAI by a scientist. Over the course of the year, teams raised funds by holding a company-wide garage sale, returning pop cans, collecting spare change, selling snack boxes, serving at Culver’s and Buffalo Wild Wings fundraising nights and selling carwash coupons. Their efforts totaled more than $51,000 at the end of the year!

“We were inspired by the work being done at VAI, and we’ve spent the last year raising funds to support their research and education programs,” said Carol Smith, owner of GLSC. “Nearly everyone is affected by cancer or disease in some way, and we want to do our part.”

Endless OpportunitiesEngage your employees and customers around a worthy cause by partnering with VAI through Purple Community. Contact the Purple Community team at [email protected] or 616.234.5388 to learn more.

HIGHLIGHTSFALL 2014 VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE’S

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HOPECorporate Partner Employees Make Big Contributions to Research

Thanks to Great Lakes Scrip Center employees’ creative fundraising ideas, more than $51,000 was raised for VAI!

WHEN BUSINESSES PARTNER WITH PURPLE COMMUNITY, THEY’RE MOTIVATED BY A PERSONAL CONNECTION TO CANCER AND NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE AND A DESIRE TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF HUMAN HEALTH. TOGETHER WITH THEIR EMPLOYEES, THEY SET BIG GOALS TO CONTRIBUTE TO VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE’S RESEARCH INITIATIVES.

Thank you Regal Investment Advisors for your support of Van Andel Institute! Above left to right, David Van Andel, John and Deb Kailunas, Carol Van Andel, Valeda and Love Collins.


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Rallying to the Challenge: You + Us = A new way of viewing Parkinson’s disease clinical trials

Unsatisfied with the current system of clinical trials for Parkinson’s disease treatments, Rutkowski raised more than $15,000 in support of Rallying to the Challenge, an event focused on the contributions of people with Parkinson’s to clinical trials. The event was held in conjunction with the Institute’s Grand Challenges in Parkinson’s disease symposium on September 24–25, 2014.

Patient AdvocatesU.K.-based Parkinson’s activist and founder of The Cure Parkinson’s Trust, Tom Isaacs, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease when he was 27 years old. Isaacs has become a leading advocate for improvements in the Parkinson’s disease clinical trial system.

“To people with Parkinson’s, clinical trials represent the only means of improving the treatment of their disease and improving the quality of their lives,” Isaacs said.

A Discussion about HopeIsaacs and The Cure Parkinson’s Trust partnered with Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) to create Rallying to the Challenge, a meeting that brought together people with Parkinson’s, advocates and caregivers to discuss ways to improve clinical trials.

Dr. Patrik Brundin, VARI’s associate director of research and director of the Center for Neurodegenerative Science, believes that changes in the clinical trial system can evolve from

an open dialogue between those with Parkinson’s and those involved with disease research.

“We have a commitment to people with Parkinson’s to find ways around the obstacles that stand in our path to successful clinical trials,” Brundin said.

Rutkowski and Isaacs were part of the Rallying to the Challenge panel made up of more than 20 advocates.

Take Action TodayDo you know someone living with Parkinson’s disease? Are you curious about the Institute’s groundbreaking Parkinson’s disease research? Learn more or make a donation at vai.org.

THANK YOU BOARD OF GOVERNORS CO-CHAIRS FOR SHARING YOUR TIME AND TALENT!We’d like to thank longtime supporters Timothy Long and Vicky Ludema for accepting the position of co-chairs of Van Andel Institute’s Hope on the Hill Board of Governors.

Long and Ludema will lead this important group of ambassadors, and we look forward to sharing their

stories of involvement and support of the Institute in the future.

Thank you for leading the Board of Governors. We are grateful for your time, dedication and commitment to the Institute’s mission!

RON RUTKOWSKI IS A WEST MICHIGAN CONTRACTOR, COMMUNITY LEADER AND VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE SUPPORTER WHO WAS DIAGNOSED WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE 10 YEARS AGO.

2 | Van Andel Institute Highlights of Hope

Timothy Long and Vicky Ludema

Ron Rutkowski

A Complicated DiseaseTSC causes non-cancerous tumors in major organs, and patients afflicted with the disease often suffer from epilepsy, learning disabilities and other complications. VARI’s Pathway of Hope project involves TSC experts and investigators from across the United States. The project is funded in part by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation along with generous support from private donors.

Making Progress“I am extremely proud of the progress that our team has made over the past year. We have assembled truly phenomenal scientists and clinicians to deliver on an ambitious research agenda targeting new treatment options for TSC patients,” said MacKeigan.

He views this rare childhood disease as a linchpin disease, meaning that understanding more about TSC and how to treat it on the molecular level could inform treatments for neurological disorders and cancer.

Collaboration is KeyThrough clinical collaborations with Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich. and the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, MacKeigan’s group opened a personalized medicine feasibility study. This study identified patients currently living with TSC who would be ideal candidates for possible TSC treatment clinical trials in the future. Through these trials, MacKeigan believes that his team can uncover more personalized, targeted therapies.

“We are aggressively searching for those novel mutations that can provide significant therapeutic opportunities with real benefits for patients,” said MacKeigan. “Current TSC treatments shrink tumors, but it would be amazing if we could actually prevent or eliminate them all together.”

Thank You for Your SupportThe Pathway of Hope TSC research initiative is the product of multiple public and private donors and a working example of how donors can have a direct impact on improvements in human health. Your donations push research further!

Van Andel Institute Highlights of Hope | 3

Kidneys

Brain Eyes

Lungs Heart

Nails

Skin

above: (TSC) tuberous sclerosis complex causes non-cancerous tumors in major organs.

middle: MacKeigan’s team

right: TSC tumors

Pathway of Hope Brings Light to Rare “Linchpin” Disease THE PATHWAY OF HOPE TUBEROUS SCLEROSIS COMPLEX RESEARCH INITIATIVE BEGAN IN 2013. ORGANIZED BY VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE’S (VARI) DR. JEFF MACKEIGAN, THE INITIATIVE AIMS TO DEVELOP NEW, EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH TUBEROUS SCLEROSIS COMPLEX (TSC).

“CURRENT TSC TREATMENTS SHRINK

TUMORS, BUT IT WOULD BE AMAZING

IF WE COULD ACTUALLY PREVENT OR ELIMINATE THEM

ALL TOGETHER.” –Dr. Jeff MacKeigan

A Young Passion for ScienceEunice’s passion for science shone early. Her third-grade counselors encouraged her to apply to attend Van Andel Education Institute’s Science Academy where she became one of the inaugural cohort students in July 2006. Eunice speaks fondly of her first experiments with fish and pill bugs and building an ecosystem environment. She compares her studies at the Science Academy as “more hands on…the expectations

were higher” than in her regular elementary school.

Fast forward to her GRAPCEP internship, and Eunice reports that Van Andel Research Institute expectations were high, too. “Dr. Chang encouraged me to keep going, to do more. I had to practice my final presentation three or four times, but I had a really great time,” she said.

“Eunice is anecdotal evidence of one successful outcome of the Science Academy cohort program,”

said Dr. Steven Triezenberg, director of Van Andel Education Institute. “Her experience really brings to life the duality of Van Andel Institute’s mission–that of biomedical science and science education,” he said.

A Promising FutureEunice’s short list of colleges she’d like to attend includes Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University or Aquinas College, where she hopes

to study biomedical science with the goal of becoming a pediatrician doing translational medicine. Love of science runs in the family, as Eunice’s mother is a nurse and her father also works in a health-related field.

Science Academy Establishes Lifelong Love of Science

Eunice Eyamba reflects on her time at the Science Academy and in the GRAPCEP program.


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MEET EUNICE EYAMBA. EUNICE IS A SENIOR AT INNOVATION CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, AND WHEN SHE’S NOT RUNNING TRACK OR FILLING OUT COLLEGE APPLICATIONS, SHE’S STUDYING SCIENCE. THIS SUMMER SHE PARTICIPATED IN THE GRAND RAPIDS AREA PRE-COLLEGE ENGINEERING PROGRAM (GRAPCEP) AT VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE IN THE LABORATORY OF TRANSLATIONAL IMAGING UNDER THE DIRECTION OF DR. ANTHONY CHANG.

“DR. CHANG ENCOURAGED ME TO KEEP GOING, TO DO MORE. I HAD TO PRACTICE MY FINAL PRESENTATION THREE OR FOUR TIMES, BUT I HAD A REALLY GREAT TIME.”

–Eunice Eyamba

GRAPCEP internships are only possible through generous donations…thank you for your support!

A Celebration of Learning: Science Academy Students Recall Favorite Memories

“Fond memories I wouldn’t trade for anything.”At the celebratory reunion, students shared their fondest memories from the experience and the impact the program has had on their education. Students recalled working with the animals – especially Toby the tortoise! – field trips to swamps and working with others who were passionate about science.

“I liked it a lot because I like hearing other people’s opinions and how they went about their experiment,” shared Alondra Vergara-Diaz, a 2014 Grand Rapids City High School graduate starting at University of Michigan.

Other students spoke to the impact of the cohort program in high school. Students felt like they had a head start in science classes since they had experience writing lab reports, journaling and setting up experiments.

“It’s prepared me for high school and beyond.”The students are headed in all different directions to continue their education, and their interests are diverse. They plan to major in everything from pre-med and biology to aerospace engineering, marketing and journalism.

Regardless of their future path in life, all students acknowledged the valuable skills – teamwork, writing, problem solving and critical thinking – they acquired from the cohort program. “It taught me how to be creative and interact with my peers to work towards something,” said Liam Kirkbride, a 2014 Grand Rapids City High School graduate attending Michigan State University.

Since these graduating students first entered the VAEI laboratories, the cohort program’s reputation and

popularity has exploded. Today, the Science Academy receives far more applications than it can accommodate, and the staff is expanding their reach of K-12 teachers and students through professional development resources.

“Thank you”The Science Academy Cohort program is provided free of charge to participating students thanks to the generous support of donors like you. Thank you for your continued support. Your gifts are changing students’ lives!

Participants in the inaugural Out-of-School-Time Cohort Program recall their fond memories working with the animals, conducting experiments and making friends.

below: Students from the inaugural Out-of-School-Time Cohort Program reconnect eight years after beginning the program.


VAN ANDEL EDUCATION INSTITUTE’S (VAEI) SCIENCE ACADEMY CELEBRATED ITS INAUGURAL OUT-OF-SCHOOL-TIME COHORT PROGRAM CLASS IN MAY AS THE STUDENTS PREPARED FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION. EIGHT YEARS AGO, THESE STUDENTS MADE A COMMITMENT TO IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN SCIENCE FOR 60 HOURS PER YEAR FOR THREE YEARS IN ADDITION TO THEIR REGULAR SCHOOL DAY.


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Paying it Forward: One Woman’s Victory Over Breast Cancer and the Legacy She Leaves for Others

Runners line up to participate in Lorrie Jaynes’ celebratory 5k run and fundraiser for breast cancer research.

A Startling DiagnosisBreast cancer research has made great strides thanks to women who have battled the disease, won and advocated for others. Lorrie Jaynes continues that legacy today.

“Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer,” said Lorrie. “I was 37, and I had no family history.”

Today, she’s a fundraiser, volunteer and advocate who coaches others receiving cancer treatments.

“I can do things now. I can spread the word. I can volunteer. That’s what I enjoy now. That’s my real passion,” she said.

10-Year CelebrationLorrie celebrated the 10-year anniversary of her cancer diagnosis

and now being cancer-free by holding a 5k run in Riverside Park in Grand Rapids, Mich., and she invited friends and family to participate for a $10 donation. Thanks to her efforts and the contributions of friends and family, Lorrie raised more than $700 for breast cancer research at Van Andel Institute.

“I wanted 100% to stay in Grand Rapids and for it all to go to research,” she said. “Someday when we find a cure, I want to be a part of it. I will be a part of it.”

You Can Support Breast Cancer ResearchJoin Lorrie in the fight for improved treatments and diagnostics. Learn how you can support breast cancer research at Van Andel Institute by contacting Development at [email protected] or 616.234.5030.

Breast cancer survivor and advocate Lorrie Jaynes celebrates her triumphant battle with breast cancer at her 5k run with her nieces and nephews.


FRED BOGAERT DESCRIBES HIMSELF AS AN AVERAGE GUY WHO “ISN’T DOING ANYTHING SPECIAL.” BUT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TWO GIFT ANNUITIES FOR VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE MAKES HIM EXCEPTIONAL IN OUR EYES.

A Gift to Honor a Loved One

Fred and his wife Julie were sweethearts for 47 years. The couple met at Denison University in Granville, Ohio, and both enjoyed sniping, a type of two-person sailing. Unfortunately, they were also both diagnosed with cancer.

A Personal Connection“I was diagnosed with prostate and colon cancer in 2000,” said Fred. “I had part of my colon removed, and I went through 4-5 months of chemotherapy followed by radiation.”

As Fred’s treatments were ending, Julie was diagnosed with lung cancer. Sadly, her cancer metastasized to the brain, and she passed away one year later.

“I don’t need to be convinced that cancer is a dreaded disease,” said Fred.

Leaving a LegacyFred appreciates and Julie appreciated the value of research. Julie’s father, Dr. George F. Cartland, was a researcher for the Upjohn

Company in Kalamazoo, Mich. a pharmaceutical manufacturing firm. Dr. Cartland was an outstanding scientist who authored and co-authored more than 30 publications and held a number of patents for medicinal products and their production.

“We are gifting in honor of my father-in-law,” said Fred. “No gift is too small, and it’s certainly a wonderful way to honor a family member.”

Thank you, Fred, for making a gift to combat the disease that has affected your family!

WHY CONSIDER A GIFT ANNUITY?

IT IS DIRECT AND UNCOMPLICATED – You simply transfer cash or securities to the Institute in exchange for our written agreement to pay you, or you and another beneficiary, a specified annuity payment for as long as you live.

IT IS SAFE AND SECURE – Our commitment to pay a lifetime annuity to you or you and another beneficiary is backed by a special reserve fund as well as by all the assets of the Institute.

IT IS TREMENDOUSLY IMPORTANT – Your investment will help improve the health and enhance the lives of future generations.

CONTACT US AT [email protected] OR 616.234.5030 TO LEARN MORE.

Fred and the late Julie Bogaert both received cancer diagnoses within nine months of one another.

Fred and the late Julie Bogaert are leaving a gift to Van Andel Research Institute in honor of Julie’s father, a researcher at the Upjohn Company.

Van Andel Institute’s J-Board Ambassadors are young professionals committed to the Institute’s mission to impact human health. Join us for exciting events, valuable learning opportunities and networking.

Contact Sarah Murphy Lamb to learn more at [email protected] or 616.234.5712.Ambassadors Innovate.Become a Legacy. Inspire.

Become the Next Generation of

Ambassadors for Van Andel Institute


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Winterfest 2014, co-chaired by Blair and George Sharpe, raised more than $140,000 for Parkinson’s disease research. The evening featured remarks by David Van Andel, chairman and CEO of Van Andel Institute, and Dr. Patrik Brundin, VARI associate director of research, professor and director of the Center for Neurodegenerative Science. Guests were treated to food stations from nine premier Grand Rapids restaurants and an exciting live auction emceed by Tony Gates and Michelle McKormick. Thank you to our title sponsor Warner Norcross & Judd for their support. Join us for the 10th annual Winterfest celebration on February 19, 2015!

9TH ANNUAL

CELEBRATION

®


The second annual Carol Van Andel Angel of Excellence dinner and award presentation, hosted by Carol Van Andel and the VAI Board of Governors, honored the efforts of WOTV 4’s Maranda and Bella Fiorenzo, Mariah Otolski, Sydney Vinton and Allie Wittenbach, four students from Forest Hills Central High School who raised more than $100,000 to benefit the Institute’s research initiatives. The award recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the Institute through volunteer service, philanthropy, special event support, innovation or scientific support.

CAROL VAN ANDEL

®

DINNER & AWARD PRESENTATION


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Donors were honored at Van Andel Institute for their continued support of biomedical research and science education at the third annual Life Science and Legacy donor appreciation reception. Remarks were made by Love Collins III, vice president of Development, Communications & Marketing, Carol Van Andel, executive director of the David and Carol Van Andel Foundation, Susan Brogger, Purple Community ambassador and Dr. Brian Haab, professor in the Center for Translational Research. Congratulations to 32 donors who were inducted into the Leadership Society, and to GR Outdoor who was inducted into the Legacy Society!

Life Science & Legacy3rd Annual


J-Board Annual Dinner Van Andel Institute’s J-Board kicked off another great year of ambassadorship with a strolling dinner at the Institute featuring networking and remarks by David Van Andel, chairman and CEO of Van Andel Institute, Dr. Brian Haab, professor in the Center for Translational Research, and Susan Brogger, Purple Community ambassador.

J-Board MixerJ-Board ambassadors and friends mingled at the beautiful lakefront home of Mike and Rachel Mraz to network and learn more about Van Andel Institute with updates by Dr. Lena Brundin, head of the Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, Dr. Patrik Brundin, associate research director of Van Andel Research Institute and director of the Center for Neurodegenerative Science, and Dr. Lorenzo Sempere, head of the Laboratory of MicroRNA Diagnostics and Therapeutics.

Ambassadors Innovate.Become a Legacy. Inspire.

Psychiatric Symptoms Common “It’s been known that Parkinson’s patients have psychiatric non-motor symptoms such as depression, but the movement issues are easier for neurologists to assess and easier for patients to talk about,“ Brundin said.

Brundin’s experience both as a clinician and biomedical researcher gives her unique insight into how inflammation might play a role in depression in

Parkinson’s patients.

The Role of InflammationInflammation is a physical response in tissues that takes place when the immune system is activated. In people with Parkinson’s, psychiatric symptoms can become chronic partially due to damage in the brain related to the disease.

“It is not known completely if the inflammation in Parkinson’s disease is caused because of nerve cells in the brain dying or if inflammation is killing

the cells,” said Brundin. “But we do know that there is a direct connection to inflammation in Parkinson’s and clinical depression.”

There is Still Much to DiscoverBrundin believes lifting the stigma of depression among Parkinson’s patients and funding research into the psychiatric effects of anti-inflammatory medications might bring about a shift in how depression and Parkinson’s disease is approached.

“In the past 15 years, there has been an increase in the number of researchers looking at the connection between Parkinson’s, inflammation in the brain and depression; however there is still so much left to discover.”

Because of your generous support of our mission, scientists such as Dr. Lena Brundin can continue to engage in groundbreaking research that has a direct impact on how we diagnose and treat diseases such as Parkinson’s.

PARKINSON’S AND DEPRESSION: MAKING THE CONNECTIONS

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WHEN PEOPLE THINK OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE, THEY THINK OF THE PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS, BUT ACCORDING TO VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE RESEARCH SCIENTIST DR. LENA BRUNDIN, THE PSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOMS CAN BE THE MOST DEBILITATING.

333 Bostwick Ave NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Dr. Lena Brundin, associate professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine in Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and head of the Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine at Van Andel Research Institute.

van andel institute's highlights of hope

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