U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell and Local Neurologist to at Huntington’s Disease Walk
SUN CITY, Ariz. (Oct. 18, 2010t) — People from the Valley are invited to join Rep. Harry Mitchell and Team Hope on Saturday, Oct. 23 at 8:00 a.m. at Evelyn Hallman Park in Tempe, Ariz.
Team Hope is a nationwide walk by the Huntington’s Disease Society of America to raise money to fight Huntington’s disease, a genetic brain disorder that affects a person’s ability to walk, talk, think and reason.
Huntington's afflicts one out of every 10,000 Americans. People with it eventually become fully dependent on others for their care. Symptoms typically appear in people between 30 and 50 years old and progress over a period of 10 to 25 years.
At least 200,000 people are at risk of getting Huntington's. The children and siblings of Huntington's patients have a 50 percent chance of developing the disease. Many more people are indirectly affected by the disease, including friends and caregivers.
Medical experts such as Holly Shill, MD, a neurologist at Banner Sun Health Research Institute, will be at Team Hope walk to answer questions about the disease and treatments.
“There is finally an approved drug to treat Huntington’s disease,” says Dr. Shill. “There are also a number of treatments in the pipeline aimed at delaying the onset of symptoms.”
Team Hope is more than a walk. It’s a day of community building and support for patients, friends and family. There will snacks, refreshments and entertainment.
“In addition to raising money, Team Hope brings people with Huntington’s disease together with their families, friends and caregivers for a day of hope and support,” says Dave Quaranta, chairman of the Arizona affiliate of Huntington Disease Society of America. “It is very common to feel isolated and alone when you’re affected by a disease like HD. That’s why Team Hope is so important.”
There is no cure for Huntington’s disease. In 2008, the FDA approved the first therapy for it.
About Team Home Walk – Phoenix
The Team Hope walk will take place at Evelyn Hallman Park (1900 N. College Ave. in Tempe, Ariz.). The park is located at College Avenue and McKellips Road, north of Loop 202 and west of Scottsdale Road (the entrance is located between Curry Road and McKellips Road, immediately to the west of College Avenue).
Walkers have two routes to choose from: a 5K walk or a shorter walk on a fully paved path.
Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23 (walk begins at 9:00 a.m.) Registration and a T-shirt is $15 (early registration); $25 day of the walk. Register or create a fundraising page: www.firstgiving.com/hdsa-az.
About HDSA
The Huntington’s Disease Society of America is the largest 501(c)(3) nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by HD. It was founded in 1968 by Marjorie Guthrie, wife of folk music legend Woody Guthrie, who lost his battle with HD. The Society offers family services, education, advocacy and research to provide help and hope to more than 30,000 people diagnosed with HD in the United States. The Society has 39 local chapters and affiliates across the country with its headquarters in New York City.
To learn more about Huntington’s disease, please visit www.hdsa.org or call (800) 345-HDSA.
About Banner Sun Health Research Institute
For 23 years, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, part of nonprofit Banner Health, has been a leader nationally and internationally in the effort to find answers to disorders of aging including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and arthritis. The institute, together with its Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium partners, has been designated by the National Institutes of Health as one of just 29 Alzheimer’s Disease Centers in the nation. The institute’s Cleo Roberts Center for Clinical Research takes laboratory discoveries to clinical trials that foster hope for new treatments. Banner Health is Arizona’s leading health care provider and second largest private employer. For more information, visit www.shri.org and www.bannerresearch.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brian Browne
Ph: (623) 875-6536
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