Joost van der Westhuizen Benefit Dinner

As we all know by now, Joost van der Westhuizen has been facing some extreme challenges to his health and indeed survival. He recently returned from a leading international centre of Neurology at The Cleveland Medical Centre in Ohio, USA, but unfortunately his struggles are far from over. Joost has been diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

In ALS, nerve cells (neurons) waste away or die, and can no longer send messages to muscles. This eventually leads to muscle weakening, twitching, and an inability to move the arms, legs, and body. The condition slowly gets worse. When the muscles in the chest area stop working, it becomes hard or impossible to breathe on one’s own. ALS affects approximately 5 out of every 100,000 people worldwide. There is no known cure for ALS. SARLA has been deeply moved by his plight and has announced that the Association is to host a Benefit Banquet in order to raise funds for Joost’s financially draining medical requirements. The banquet will take place in the form of a sit down dinner with Johnny Clegg and Watershed providing entertainment for the guests. Other sporting celebrities and World Cup Captains will be attending the dinner in support of their fellow sportsman who has been an Ambassador in this country for South African Rugby worldwide. The Blue Bulls Cheerleaders will be welcoming guests on arrival, with Malcolm Ferreira (Player 23) entertaining the crowd.

Date: 18h00 Tuesday 22 November 2011
Venue: Emperors Palace, Convention Centre, Centre Court
Dress: Formal

To book tickets for this event, please contact Danielle Crook on (011) 523 3186 or email her at Danielle@sarugbylegends.com