The re-formed U.K. group is off to a strong start! Co-Chairs Mark East and Beverley Stone will share leadership of the group and are looking for additional chairpersons for various committees, to extend the reach of their work.

Mark East is a Ph.D. candidate in genetics at the University of Leeds in England. Mark and his mother both have VHL. His new bride Michelle is a nurse in a bone marrow transplant unit. Mark and Michelle will focus on interactions with the medical community, building the visibility of VHL in the medical community in England, and helping to strengthen the chain of information about VHL for physicians in the U.K.

Beverley Stone, a lifelong friend of the late Gillian Houlders, will focus on fundraising and public relations. She organized a parachute jump as a fund-raiser, and plans to walk on airplane wings next spring -- really!

Dora Beeforth and her husband Andy are helping to answer telephone calls from other families with VHL in the U.K. Dora and her brother have VHL. Her late father, Victor Midgley, was the original founder of the British support group.

Professor Eamonn R. Maher of Birmingham continues as their primary advisor. They will be building a medical advisory board over the next year.

People in the U.K. and Republic of Ireland are invited to call or write to Beverley, Mark, and Michelle to ask questions and offer assistance to grow and strengthen the new U.K. group. VHL Family Alliance, U.K., c/o Mark & Michelle East, 7 Conway Mount, Leeds, LS8 5HZ England. Tel/Fax: (London) +44 (0)171 681-1796; E-mail: Mark in care of info@vhl.org or to Maura Hurley in the Republic of Ireland, maurah@indigo.ie

As published in the VHL Family Forum 5:4, December 1997. For permission to reprint, please contact VHL Family Alliance, editor@vhl.org. Further information is available from the VHL Family Alliance, info@vhl.org.

Editable -->