Sadly, my best friend Dawn Brejcha just passed away from a brain aneurysm (age 41).  We have been friends since we were 14, so 27 years. Attached is a picture of us at my wedding, where she was my maid-of-honor. She introduced me to my husband Scott, for which I am eternally grateful.

You have all probably seen and/or met Dawn at our Huntington's Disease fundraisers in San Diego.  She has helped out with tons of events like “Shoot to Cure HD” and “Celebration of Hope” dinners. She even helped at our first fundraiser which was a 5K in 2000 and donated the prizes for the winners: cell phones.  Dawn really enjoyed volunteering for the HD community, and had a blast meeting some of the Charger players (especially Antonio Gates and Phillip Rivers).

Most of my adult life I have been pretty consumed with the fact I am at-risk for Huntington’s Disease – my mom had it giving me a 50:50 chance of getting it, too.   Right now, I feel grateful to be 41 and healthy.  I was the one that was supposed to get sick, not Dawn.  Dawn was this huge ray of sunshine in my life, this world won’t be the same without her.   She was the friend I got together with and would resort to my silly teenage self.  On a good note, Dawn lived a very rich life, but it was still simply cut too short. 

Instead of flowers, her parents are wishing to have people make donations to the charities Dawn was involved with, HDSA being one of those.  This is the greatest gift her family could offer and I am humbled beyond words.   

Any donation you make will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Pam Foye-Needle

*Checks may be sent to:

HDSA- P.O. Box 19524 San Diego CA, 92159-0524

619.225.2255 for questions