Date: Monday, Nov. 15, 2004
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place: Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Biotechnology Center
Washington University School of Medicine, 4559 Scott Ave., 63110
The widow of Hans Vonk, former music director of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, will tour the newly established Hope Center for Neurological Disorders at Washington University School of Medicine on Monday, Nov. 15.
Jessie Vonk is visiting the Center to learn about the latest research and express her support for efforts to understand and treat amytrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other nervous system diseases.
Hans Vonk, who was music director of the symphony from 1996 to 2002, died at his home in Amsterdam on Aug. 29, 2004, after a long struggle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
ALS is a motor neuron disease that causes degeneration throughout the brain and spinal cord, resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy. It most commonly strikes people between 40 and 70. After diagnosis, life expectancy averages between two and five years.
Washington University School of Medicine and Hope Happens, formerly known as ALS Hope — The Chris Hobler/James Maritz Foundation, recently teamed up to create the Hope Center. The collaboration is dedicated to basic science research on a broad spectrum of nervous system conditions, including investigations on neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
Editor’s Note: Jessie Vonk will be available for interviews following her tour of the center, which will be open, in part, to reporters and photographers. Alan Pestronk, M.D., Hans Vonk’s physician and an expert on ALS, also will be available for interviews, as will other Hope Center researchers.
Due to construction, please call for specific parking information and directions to the Hope Center.