Dear Friends and Families,

Huntington's Disease has threatened to destroy our family for over 30 years.  Throughout our battle with this devastating disease, we have lost many beautiful members of our family - Mae Portillo, my children's grandmother, Hector Portillo, my children's father, Hector's brothers, Johnny and Louis, and just 10 months ago, my beloved daugher, Marie lost her battle to HD.  As you can see by the photo in happier days, in spite of the devastation brought on by HD, they can never destroy our spirit.  My Marie is now in heaven with her father and her grandmother, and my sweet spiritual warrior gives me the courage to keep up the good fight!  My oldest daughter, Margie, and my son, Michael, fight for their life each and every day, as they, too, inherited HD from their father. 

All three of my children have been champions in fight for the cure by advocating for awareness of HD.  Marie accompanied me in advocating for our cause since 2002.  But in 2008, her frail body made it impossible for her to continue,  and on November 2, 2009, she lost the battle and was finally able to rest.  Margie continues to attend symposiums and shares her story, never allowing anything to diminish her enthusiasm and hope for the cure. The cure is now the focus of her life, as her two beautiful young children are now "at risk" of inheriting HD.  I salute my children for their courage in fighting for the cure and never giving up hope.  I salute all HD families, clinicians and researchers  that join us in fighting for our cause.  Please join me and my children, PORTILLO WARRIORS FOR THE CURE in support of research and the goal of making this THE LAST GENERATION OF HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE. 

Thank you,

Frances Saldana