The Huntington’s Disease Society of America is deeply committed to supporting the fight against racism. During these challenging times, we could sit back and say, ‘this is not within our mission work’, but thinking like that is part of the problem. It is our responsibility to use our platforms and our privileges to encourage change in the communities that we serve. As music icon and HD warrior Woody Guthrie said, ‘This land was made for you and me’.
As we join our fellow Americans to mourn for the loss of black lives, both from racial violence and the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to all come together and demand change. Too many families have faced racial discrimination for generations, including disparity in access to and quality of healthcare. As an organization we are, and we must be, part of the larger mission within the healthcare system to acknowledge inequalities, erase disparities and create equal access to quality healthcare for everyone. At HDSA, we believe ‘Family Is Everything’ and it is time we all embrace these words in every community.
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Huntington’s disease is a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It deteriorates a person’s physical and mental abilities during their prime working years and has no cure. Every child of a parent with HD has a 50/50 chance of carrying the faulty gene. Today, there are approximately 41,000 symptomatic Americans and more than 200,000 at-risk of inheriting the disease.
The symptoms of HD are described as having ALS, Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s – simultaneously.
The Huntington’s Disease Society of America is the premier nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by HD. From community services and education to advocacy and research, HDSA is the world’s leader in providing help for today and hope for tomorrow for people with HD and their families.
To learn more about Huntington’s disease and the work of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, visit www.hdsa.org or call (800)345-HDSA.
