HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – It will be a sea of purple on the campus of Hope College this weekend.
Every year Hope College teams up with Van Andel Institute and Purple Community to raise support and funds for cancer and neurodegenerative disease research. Established by Jay and Betty Van Andel in 1996, the Van Andel Institute has grown into a premiere research and educational institution that supports the work of more than 360 scientists, educators and staff.
The Flying Dutchmen are hosting a Purple Community Game on Saturday, September 16 at Ray & Sue Smith Stadium against Lakeland, Wisconsin. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m. Hope will wear purple jerseys and play in honor of loved ones and friends impacted by cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Fans are encouraged to wear purple to the Hope Football Purple Community Game football game.
Ashley Owen is Senior Event Coordinator for the Van Andel Institute says there is a reason why the color purple was chosen.
“Why purple? A few reasons. Number one, that it was Dave Van Andel’ Mothers favorite color and so there is always a little bit of purple in their lives and in our hearts to honor her. Additionally purple is the color of cancer survivorship as well as neurodegenerative disease research. Those are are two key areas of focus on our science side of things at the Institute with cancer research and Parkinson’s Disease research.”
This summer, Philip Versluis, a junior majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology, is interning at Van Andel Institute. He is being mentored by Dr. Scott Rothbart, an Assistant Professor in the Van Andel Institute’s Center for Epigenetics.
All proceeds from the Hope Football Purple Community Game will benefit Purple Community and help underwrite a summer internship for a Hope College student at Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Purple Community is Van Andel Institute’s grassroots community awareness and fundraising program.
Saturday’s game will be broadcast on the Lakeshore’s 92.7 The Van starting at 1:10 p.m.
