The Hope College men’s and women’s basketball teams are teaming up to give an assist to Van Andel Institute’s cancer and neurodegenerative disease research and science education efforts.

The Flying Dutchmen and Flying Dutch each will host Purple Community games when they face Alma College next month at DeVos Fieldhouse.

The women’s Purple Community game is Wednesday, January 22 at 7:30 p.m. The men’s Purple Community game is Saturday, January 25 at 3 p.m.

Fans can purchase a Hope Basketball Purple Community T-shirt with a $15 donation to Van Andel Institute by Friday, January 10 to support the cause. Fans are encouraged to wear purple for the games.

Purple Community is the Van Andel Institute grassroots community awareness and fundraising program.

All proceeds from the Purple Community doubleheader will go to Van Andel Institute and help underwrite a summer internship for a Hope College student at Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

Schuylar Brunink, a Hope College senior majoring in biology, interned at Van Andel Institute this year.

Van Andel Institute employs more than 330 scientists, educators, and staff working to accomplish the mission of improving the health and enhance the lives of current and future generations.

Van Andel Institute scientists are making discoveries and collaborating with scientists and research institutions around the world to move promising therapies into clinical trials. Van Andel Institute also has programs designed to enhance science education across all ages.