Huntington's Disease Illinois Chapter hosts 15th annual Team Hope Walk May 19
The Illinois Chapter of the Huntington's Disease Society of America recently announced that volunteers are raising awareness of this devastating genetic neurological disease through their community Team Hope Walk!
The HDSA's Team Hope Walk program is sponsored nationally by Teva Pharmaceuticals.
Join the Illinois Chapter at the Team Hope Walk in Naperville on Sunday, May 19, at the Grand Pavilion on the Naperville Riverwalk. To register a team, make a donation or get details, visit illinois.hdsa.org.
All proceeds support the society's mission to improve the lives of people affected by Huntington's disease and their families.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 10:30 a.m.
The Illinois Chapter is asking for support from the community to become a sponsor, form a team, walk as an individual, donate products or volunteer to coordinate the event activities.
"Our walk has grossed over $900,000,00 in 14 years of walking," says Dave Hodgson, who along with his wife, Susie, host what has become the largest Team Hope Walk in the nation. "We hope to add another $100,000 this year."
Huntington's disease is a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It deteriorates a person's physical and mental abilities usually during their prime working years and has no cure. Every child of a parent with Huntington's disease has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the faulty gene that causes the disease. Today, there are approximately 30,000 symptomatic Americans and more than 200,000 at-risk of inheriting the disease. The symptoms of Huntington's disease are described as having ALS, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases - simultaneously.
The Team Hope Walk is the Huntington's Disease Society of America's largest national grass-roots fundraising event, which takes place in more than 100 cities across the U.S. and has raised over $12 million for Huntington's disease since its inception in 2007.
Thousands of families, friends, co-workers, neighbors and communities walk together each year to support its mission to improve the lives of people affected by Huntington's disease and their families. To volunteer or support the Team Hope Walk, please contact Dave Hodgson at (815) 498-6092 or by emailing dchodgson1946@gmail.com.
<h3 class="briefHead">About the Huntington's Disease Society of America</h3>
The Huntington's Disease Society of America is the premier nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by Huntington's disease. From community services and education to advocacy and research, it is the world's leader in providing help for today, hope for tomorrow for people with Huntington's disease and their families.
It was founded in 1967 by Marjorie Guthrie, the wife of legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie. Woody died from Huntington's disease complications in 1967 when he was only 55 years old, but the Guthrie family legacy lives on at HDSA to this day.
For more information about Huntington's disease, visit hdsa.org.