As many of you know, I am the Greater New York Special Events Coordinator for the Huntington's Disease Society of America. We host a wide variety of events throughout the year, and rarely do I make a personal appeal for the support of my friends and colleagues. I do believe, however, that this is an exception you can all find it in your hearts to forgive. Our annual Team Hope Walk for HD is coming up on September 12th in Riverside Park in NYC, and I am asking you to show your support to the HD Community by joining us for the walk if you're in town, or donating $25 (or whatever you can) to the walk through my fundraising page. Please forward this to your friends and colleagues as well. Together, we can raise $4,000.00 towards our $40,000.00 goal!!!

Huntington's Disease is a devastating hereditary fatal neurodegenerative disease which robs an individual of the ability to move, walk, talk, eat, swallow and think. Though thought of as a mid-life onset disease, Juvenile HD can strike children as young as age two. For families affected by Huntington's Disease, the future is riddled with questions. Will I inherit the gene? Will my children inherit it if I do? How will I take care of my late-stage parent if I am becoming symptomatic myself? Will my insurance cover my care? What if I lose my insurance? How much time...

For those affected, their caretakers, spouses and children, for the doctors and researchers and therapists, and for anyone who has been touched by a family dealing with HD, there is no turning back...there is only moving forward, closer and closer to a cure...and we know the answers are within reach. With your support, we are fighting to make this the last generation with HD.

Please take a moment and watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhj2gRvWn3w. Jacey Mukka, who was 13 (I believe) when she made this video, has HD. Her little sister Karli, her big sister Erika, and her dad Karl, all have HD. I cannot bring all of my friends to every event. I cannot introduce you all to the courageous families I know, or allow you to share in their stories, one by one, until finding a cure for HD is as important to you as it is to me. But I can appeal to you once a year to help us fund the vital research that could help our families concentrate on other kinds of questions...questions about what to do with a future free from HD.

Thanks for your support!

-Chenell