Allie Wittenbach is thrilled to support Van Andel Institute's research efforts through Hope College as she started while attending Forest Hills Central High School.
The freshman forward from Ada, Michigan, helped raise more than $100,000 while in high school after experiencing the impact cancer made on her own family and those of her friends.
"It is so exciting to play for such a worthy cause. It was a great experience during high school. I am so excited to be part of it when we play Saint Mary's on Saturday," Wittenbach said. "We will be playing not only to beat Saint Mary's, but to beat this terrible disease that has affected so many lives and has touched so many people."
Hope hosts Saint Mary's Saturday, Sept. 20 at noon at Van Andel Soccer Stadium as part of a day-night Purple Games doubleheader to support Van Andel Institute.
The Flying Dutch will don purple on game day. Fans are encouraged to wear purple.
Proceeds will benefit Van Andel Institute and will help underwrite a summer internship for a Hope student at Van Andel Institute.
Click here to read about Hope men's soccer player Josh Hagene's recovery from a cancer diagnosis.
Wittenbach hopes others facing cancer draw the same inspiration from Van Andel Institute as she has.
"The people at Van Andel Institute are so passionate about finding a cure for this disease and for giving people a sense of hope and a sense we're right there with them," she said.
Co-Athletic Director Tim Schoonveld said Hope is excited to once again partner with Van Andel Institute on Purple Games.
"There is a tradition of mutual support and appreciation between Hope College and the Van Andel family and the Institute," Schoonveld said. "We are looking forward to a great day celebrating the impact that both Hope College and Van Andel Institute have in this community."
Support the event by making a donation on the Purple Community website.
About Purple Community – Purple Community-100% HopeSM is Van Andel Institute's grassroots fundraising initiative which connects people who want to join the fight against cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson's, to the resources needed for action. It provides individualized tools and customized support to people who want to create awareness and fundraising opportunities in their communities. Purple Community gives local action global potential. All fundraising and awareness activities organized through Purple Community fund research and science education at Van Andel Institute. Find out more about Purple Community by visiting www.PurpleCommunity.org 100% to Research, Discovery & Hope®.
About Van Andel Institute - Established by Jay and Betty Van Andel in 1996, Van Andel Institute is an independent research organization dedicated to preserving, enhancing and expanding the frontiers of medical science and to achieving excellence in education by probing fundamental issues of education and the learning process. This is accomplished through the work of over 200 researchers in more than 20 on-site laboratories and in collaborative partnerships that span the globe. Find out more about Van Andel Institute by visiting www.vai.org 100% to Research, Discovery & Hope®.
