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 will be hosting 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 for South African Rugby, world wide. The Blue Bulls Cheerleaders will be welcoming guests on arrival, with Malcolm Ferreira (Player 23) entertaining the crowd.

Assisting SARLA are the following co-sponsors (in alphabetical order):

Blue Bulls Cheerleaders
Blue Label Telecoms
Emperors Palace
Glass South Africa
GoodFellas
Intense Design
Keystone Productions
Malcolm Ferreira (Player 23)
Melrose Arch Flowers
Molton Brown
Monday Files
Multiprint Printers
MSC Sports
Red Bull
Rhapsody‟s
SAB
Sensai
Springbok Atlas
Under Oaks Wines
Unlimited Events (decor)
Wildekrans

Joost van der Westhuizen Contributions can be made to:

JOOST VAN DER WESTHUIZEN TRUST ACCOUNT
ABSA BANK
SANDTON
ACCOUNT NUMBER 40-7815-5605
BRANCH CODE 33-11-55

SWIFT CODE: ABSA ZA JJ