Events
Beyond the Laboratory
The Program for Neurology & Discovery helps people of all races, genders, ages, geography and walks of life. In return, people throughout the community pitch in to support its researchers and scientists in many unique and significant ways.
Here are some examples of citizens who are helping us make a difference in the fight against disease:
A Run for the Research Money
It’s only in its second year and it’s alraeady a fall tradition in Ann Arbor. The Big House Big Heart Race drew 7,000 participants. Whether they ran 5K or walked one mile, they ended up on the 50-yard-line of the Big House, watching themselves on the Jumbotron as they crossed the finish line.
It’s fun, healthy and raises money for two great causes: The ALS Clinic of the Program for Neurology Research & Discovery and the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
The event was the idea of local attorney Mike Highfield. He had watched as Phil Bowen, his friend and law partner at Conlin, McKenny & Philbrick, died of ALS. He wanted to do something to stop this dread disease. He teamed up with sports apparel store, Running Fit, and created an event that’s become a favorite of everyone from speed runners to parents pushing kids in strollers.
Next year’s date has already been chosen: September 27. Get more information here.
Charity Event Par Excellence
For the past seven years, the Executive Women's Golf Association of Metro Detroit has conducted an end-of-season tournament to raise money for the Program for Neurology Research & Discovery. This year’s event took place on September 25 at Twin Lakes Golf Club in Oakland Township.
Nearly 60 people teed off. The golfers, sponsors and a silent auction raised $2,400 for neurological research. The EWGA exists to provide a setting for women to learn to play and enjoy the game of golf for business and pleasure. The Metro Detroit Chapter has over 200 members in Oakland, Macomb, Wayne and Washtenaw counties.
A Community Fights Back
When Bob Schoeni was diagnosed with ALS, it was a shock to the Ann Arbor community. A popular professor in public policy and economics at the U-M Institute for Social Research, Bob was a fit, active guy, who loved to exercise and coach kids’ soccer. But ALS can strike anybody.
Bob has touched a lot of lives. When his friends and coworkers heard about his condition, they decided to give back. They organized A2A3 (Ann Arbor Active Against ALS) to raise money for research into finding a cure for the disease. So far they’ve held a neighborhood garage sale and a family field day. There are more fund-raising events on the way.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the ALS Clinic, which is a part of the Program for Neurology Research & Discovery. “We are so happy to be working with Bob,” said Dr. Eva L. Feldman, director of the Program. “The courage and energy he has shown in the face of the disease is an inspiration to us all.”
Stem Cells and Salads
Much of the work of the Program for Neurology Research & Discovery takes place in the laboratory, of course. But its educational component can take place anywhere, including at the luncheon table.
Along with co-hosts Susu Sosnick and Pamela Applebaum, Leslie Lewiston Etterbeek invited Dr. Feldman to her Bloomfield Hills home to talk to 45 guests on October 3 about stem cell research and the promise it holds for finding new treatments and cures for neurological disease.
Feldman explained what makes embryonic stem cells so special and the work she hopes to be able to do at the University of Michigan if such research became legal in the state. Just one month later, the voters of Michigan passed a new law lifting the ban on stem cell research.
