Dear Friends and Family, 

As you all know, Jeannie and I are deeply supportive of those who have served this country in uniform.  In October we will be walking to honor the memory of Army Sargeant Hector Portillo pictured above in 1969.  Sargeant Portillo proudly served during the Vietnam War supporting the Green Berets out of Fort Bragg.  Upon completion of his tour he retruned to Orange County with a new wife and the dream of starting a family.  Hector and his wife, Frances, were blessed with three children two girls and one son.  

Unfortunately Sargeant Protillo was about to find out he had been drafted into a war ,that unlike his service in Vietnam, there would be no chance of survival.  He was diagnosed as having a debilitating disease called “Huntington’s Disease.”  Huntington’s Disease (HD) is a devastating, hereditary, degenerative brain disorder, which slowly diminishes the affected individual’s ability to walk, think, talk or reason and is terminal.  Sargeant Portillo's three beautiful children all inherited the disease and are now suffering from it's effects.   At the present time, there is no effective treatment or cure . . . only research to find a cure.

On Saturday, October 20, 2007, we will be walking to raise funds for Huntington's Disease research in memory of this Proud Vietnam Vet.

The HD WALK FOR THE CURE goes through the beautiful campus of the UC Irvine and past the Huntington’s Disease research building.  The annual HD WALK FOR THE CURE is the only large-scale event that provides awareness, education and funds for Huntington’s Disease research.

We’re asking you to support our fundraising efforts today.  Any amount you can give (it is tax-deductible, of course) will bring us closer to the overall HD WALK FOR THE CURE fundraising goal of $150,000 for Huntington’s Disease research.  Through the research of HDSA, they will make a cure a close reality and create a better life for Hector's children and others who are currently suffering as a result of Huntington’s Disease.  Our fundraising goal is $25,000.00.

You can donate by clicking the "Sponsor Me Now" button below.   Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure.  If you want to donate by check, please make checks payable to the “Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA)” and mail it to us at  28241 Crown Valley Parkway #401 Laguna Niguel CA 92677, by Fri., Oct. 12.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at mkerrfounder@earthlink.net 

IF YOU ARE A VETERAN, ESPECIALLY A VIETNAM VET, JOIN OUR TEAM AND WALK WITH US TO HONOR HIS MEMORY.

With thanks,

Michael and Jeannie Kerr

The funds collected through the HD Walk for the Cure and our site will be directed to the UC Irvine HD Research Team as part of the National Coalition for the Cure Program.  Thank you on behalf of Hector's wife and children for your support in finding a cure.  Let this be the last generation of Huntington's Disease