Third Annual Evening of Hope
Fundraising Gala Featured Mischa Dichter,
Honored Dr. William H. Danforth
Washington University Chancellor Emeritus Received Christopher Hobler Spirit of Hope Award
Dr. William H. Danforth, Chancellor Emeritus of Washington University, was presented with the inaugural Christopher Hobler Spirit of Hope Award at the 3rd annual Evening of Hope on Monday, May 14, 2007 at Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis. In accepting the award Danforth gave a thought-provoking speech about the importance of medical research in general and research at The Hope Center in particular. Honoring Dr. Danforth
Danforth was honored for his “demonstrated passion for and commitment to the mission of Hope Happens and support for a new model of doing research for neurodegenerative disorders at The Hope Center,” said Jean Hobler who made the presentation. Hobler is one of the founders of Hope Happens and a member of the Hope Center Steering Committee.
 Jesse Vonk, a sculptor and wife of Dutch maestro Hans Vonk until his death of ALS in 2004, designed the award to resemble a neuron—a fitting symbol of hope for an effort to fast-track cures for nerve-killing disorders that affect 50 million Americans. A resident of Tasmania, Jessie Vonk returns to St. Louis each spring to participate in An Evening of Hope.
An hour of fabulous music
The evening starred world renowned pianist Misha Dichter performing with a string quartet comprised of concertmaster David Halen and Mike Chien, Heidi Harris and Daniel Lee of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Musical Program
The artists graciously donated their talents in tribute to the two individuals who inspired this annual fundraising event: Chris Hobler and former St. Louis Symphony Music Director Hans Vonk, who were victims of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Jean Hobler, the mother of Christopher Hobler, and Jessie Vonk were Honorary Co-Chairs of the event.
Supporting collaborative, translational research
“Hope Happens hosted this magnificent evening to generate support for collaborative, translational research of new treatments and cures for neurological diseases now being conducted at The Hope Center for Neurological Disorders at Washington University,” said event Chair Nancy Galvin. “This event helped create awareness of The Hope Center and generated necessary funds to continue promising research into finding treatments and cures for neurological diseases,” she said.
Impressive Results
More than 315 guests attended the full gala which included cocktails, dinner, the concert and a reception with the artists after the concert. An additional 60 people purchased concert-only tickets. The event raised more than $160,000 to support collaborative, translational research to fast-track cures for neurodegenerative disorders, including ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and traumatic brain or spinal cord injury.
Sponsors
In addition to principal sponsors Edward Jones and Maritz Inc., Emerson, Renaissance Financial and the Steven L. Trulaske Sr. Family Foundation were major sponsors of the event. Other sponsors included ATT&T – Missouri, Mr. and Mrs. John G. Cella, Jean Hobler, Peter Hobler, the Martin Family, the Philpot Family, Tower Hill Wealth Management, UMB Bank, Villa Lighting, Washington University Department of Neurology and Webster University.
The Hope Center
The Hope Center’s unique cross-disease research strategy takes advantage of disease-related commonalities and economies of scale to maximize the effect of every donor’s philanthropic investment. Hope Center research is funded by Hope Happens, a not-for-profit charity. The Hope Center was formed by a partnership between Hope Happens and Washington University in November 2004
Both partners share Chris Hobler’s conviction that fundamental discoveries about one disorder can lead to treatments and cures for other disorders, a theme Dr. Danforth expanded upon in his acceptance remarks. Acceptance Speech
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