Our Second Decade -
Greater Progress with your help!

Let’s all work together to make the miracle we all crave -- let’s cure VHL!

I’ll probably never hold a brush
That paints a masterpiece.
Probably never find a pen
That writes a symphony.
But if I love, then I will find
That I have touched another life.
And that’s something
worth leaving behind. (Lee Ann Womack)

We are all working together to leave something behind. The VHL Family Alliance will celebrate its tenth anniversary in January 2003. As we look back on the growth of our organization, much progress — much positive and innovative progress — has taken place. It takes time, enthusiasm, and money to create the progress you will see in this report.

The many volunteers who bring their expertise and give of their time have brought us to where we are today. Our Board of Directors works to enhance the existing programs in place and add new and informative ones where needed.

Our newly appointed Director of Volunteer Services will encourage volunteers to offer support and services through the existing 1-800 Line, info@vhl.org, State Chapters and Contacts, and online discussion groups. We are looking to introduce some new support programs to provide more service to our Spanish speaking population and to have Regional meetings four times a year to bring VHL support closer to home.

Our new Public Relations Director brings twenty years of j

ournalistic experience as a senior business journalist, producer and publisher. His unique media talents will be a tremendous asset in bringing awareness about VHL to the public.

Our Finance Director has spent the last twenty years working on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. His expert abilities as a broker will assist us as an organization to move forward with our funding needs and to continue to grow in the future.

Our Treasurer is a tax attorney having served various positions with a number of nonprofit organizations. We are fortunate indeed to have such an experienced, concerned individual in the important position of Treasurer.

In addition to the Directors, there are multitudes of caring volunteers who donate much of their time to provide services to everyone in the VHL community, and many more who donate money. In this issue you will read about the exciting research you are funding, and the many services you help to sustain.

We would like our tenth anniversary year to be the best year to date. Your generous donations will help to accomplish our mission. Won’t you help us through and beyond the next ten years?

To help you spread the word about the VHL Family Alliance, we have organized a special prospective member section in this annual report issue. It was designed for you to "pull it out" and share it with a friend or acquaintance who may not know about VHL and the Family Alliance. There is some overlap in content, to share the essentials with your friend.

Leave something behind. Be a part of helping the VHL Family Alliance grow. Help us find a cure!

Take care, stay well,

Maria Shipton

Maria Shipton, Chairman of the Board

P.S. We can’t do it without you!