My name is Lena Nganga and I am a volunteer for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. I am hosting one of the 80+ Team Hope walks for HD this year, and I need your help with a sponsorship for our annual walk-a-thon. The Kevin Ganley Walk is an annual event sponsored by the Huntington’s Disease of America and in partnership with Lowell Health Care Center in Lowell, MA. I would like to raise a modest sum of $100!!!

This walk is dedicated to Ganley, a former resident of Lowell Health Care Center who lost his battle to Huntington’s Disease (HD) at age 33. His family and Lowell Health Care Center started this walk 15 years ago to increase awareness of Huntington’s Disease.

Huntington's Disease is a devastating, hereditary, degenerative brain disorder that results in a loss of cognitive, behavioral and physical control. Their siblings and children have a 50% chance each of being gene-positive for the disease. HD slowly diminishes the affected individual’s ability to walk, think, talk, and reason. Symptoms usually appear in an individual between 30-50 years of age and progress over a 10-25 year period.

This is a cause very close to my heart as I have worked alongside with residents at our long-term care facility that have been diagnosed with this devastating disease as a Clinical Social Worker. I have personally seen how this disease can demoralize a once independent person into someone their family members no longer recognize due to changes in medical and behavioral conditions. I have also seen how this disease can tear a family of multiple generations apart and the positives of bringing them closer together.

All proceeds will support HDSA’s fight to improve the lives of people affected by HD and their families. The walk is designed so that all funds raised stay in the local community to benefit research initiatives, clinical-care resources and support services for people affected by HD and their families. We hope to fight HD by raising funds and building awareness.

Sincerely,

~~Lena
TEAM SMILEY