Page 20 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2025

COAST NOTE
The Zebra & The Bear is a powerful documentary that chronicles a mother’s unwavering determination to save her daughter from a rare, life-threatening disease. Featuring an Ocean Springs family, the film will be shown Thursday, January 9, at Lynn Meadows Discovery Center in Gulfport. A cocktail reception will begin at 6 p.m., with the documentary shown at 7 p.m. followed by a panel discussion at 8:30 p.m.
Over the past seven years, Amber Olsen raised millions of dollars and pushed for groundbreaking gene therapy on behalf of her youngest daughter, Willow Cannan, who was diagnosed
with Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency (MSD) as a toddler. The Zebra & The Bear tells the story of Olsen’s journey in a powerful way filled with love, commitment, family and compassion. Willow passed away at the age of 11 in October 2024.
“I believe everyone needs to see this film so they understand what rare disease parents go through to find
a treatment for their children,” said Sahara Cortell Vandersypen, executive director of United MSD Foundation, the organization started by Olsen. “The idea that a mother should have to start a nonprofit and raise millions of dollars
to fund a new gene therapy treatment is something that shouldn’t be our reality. Amber’s story is incredible, inspiring, heartbreaking, and terrifying, all at the same time.”
Filmmaker Patrick O’Connor, along with Olsen, will participate in the panel discussion. Tickets are available at www. tinyurl.com/zebraandbear.
story by Lori Beth Susman
The Club at Diamondhead is pleased to announce a familiar face as our new Head Golf Professional, Richard Schorr.
Schorr has been an assistant golf professional at The Club at Diamondhead for almost five years. He is excited about his new role and responsibilities as the club’s head golf professional. “We are fortunate that Richard has acquired most of his golf operations skills and experience from working at our club under former head golf professionals Maury Hodgens and Wayne Fuselier,” says Nancy Perkins, the club’s sales and marketing professional.
Additionally, Schorr spent some time at TPC Louisiana in outside operations before deciding to pursue a career as a golf professional. He recently entered the PGA Professional Golf Management Associate Program
in pursuit of becoming a PGA Member. He is most excited about continuing to be part of The Club at Diamondhead’s winning team and is passionate about increasing the member and guest experience.
Schorr says, “We will continue to focus on what makes The Club at Diamondhead special and offer a golf experience that rivals the best in our area for our loyal members and guests.”
RICHARD SCHORR
The Club at Diamondhead Welcomes New Golf Pro
story and photo courtesy of
The Club at Diamondhead
20 | January 2025 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living