Support Minnesota families touched by Huntington's disease
The Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) 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, HDSA is the world’s leader in providing help for today and hope for tomorrow for people with Huntington’s disease and their families.
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a rare neuro-degenerative brain disorder that
robs a person of the ability to walk, talk, think, swallow, and control
movement. HD symptoms are the same as the worst of those associated with other
neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS, and a cure for
one is likely to benefit all. Unlike other diseases, however, HD has a known genetic location and can be positively identified and
studied in people long before they become symptomatic. This gives researchers a
leg up and makes Huntington’s disease an excellent candidate for research.
Today, there are 30,000 symptomatic
Americans and more than 200,000 at
risk of inheriting the disease.
Your contribution to the MN Chapter of HDSA will be greatly appreciated and will make a
huge difference to those families in Minnesota who are living with HD. The Minnesota Chapter is the state-wide organization that supports Minnesota families touched by HD via:
-the MN Chapter state social worker. The MN Chapter Licensed Social Worker facilitates monthly support groups, conducts in-services and provides one-on-one support to individuals and families in need of help
and
-the HDSA Center of Excellence located at the Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) - Minneapolis. The HDSA Centers of Excellence provide an elite multidisciplinary approach to Huntington's disease care and research. Here patients benefit from genetic counselors, dietitians, occupational and physical therapists, neuropsychologists, and speech-language pathologists and social workers who have deep experience working with families affected by HD and who work collaboratively to help families plan the best HD care program throughout the course of the disease.
Your generous support will go a long way in making sure that MN families touched by Huntington's disease continue to receive the support and access to services and resources they need to cope with this devastating disease.