2016 Annual Report

Donor Highlight
Joe Rudnick & Tapistry Brewing
Joe Rudnick brews craft beer with heart. After a 20-year
career as an engineer with Pfizer, he decided to follow
his passion and opened Tapistry Brewing Company in
2013. In addition to brewing great beer, Rudnick feels very
strongly about community engagement and living life with
a generous spirit.
After his father passed away from a long battle with cancer,
Rudnick found Van Andel Institute’s website while doing
some web browsing, and was impressed by the Institute’s
mission and fundraising philosophy.
“I found the Institute when I was searching online after
cancer took my father’s life at 59—and when I learned
that the Institute applies every dime to research and
doesn’t waste it, I knew I wanted to partner with
them," Rudnick said.
Rudnick and Tapistry Brewing Company are active partners
in Purple Community’s Hops for Hope fundraising initiative.
During the yearlong annual event, breweries, restaurants
and pubs donate a portion of specialty beer sales to
support the Institute’s cancer and neurodegenerative
disease research. An active community member, and a
dedicated craftsman, Rudnick is proud to partner with a
Michigan-based organization that values donor dollars and
uses funds to impact human health.
“I have a great amount of respect for the Van Andel family
and everyone at Van Andel Institute, and I really appreciate
their determination to help those affected by cancer and
disease,” Rudnick said. “Cancer has affected my life in
multiple ways, and I think it’s important to help scientists
discover new ways to fight this disease and give people a
ray of hope.”
PHILANTHROPY
“I was searching online
after cancer took my
father’s life at 59—and
when I learned that the
Institute applies every
dime to research and
doesn’t waste it, I knew I
wanted to partner
with them.”
Joe Rudnick
JOE RUDNICK, TAPESTRY BREWING.
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2016 | 35