VIRTUAL 6TH ANNUAL FREEZE HD RAISES $200,000 FOR THE HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE SOCIETY OF AMERICA
Hosted live by Actor Scott Porter, Celebrities Rallied to Support the Fight against Huntington’s Disease.
New York, NY (September 28, 2020) – A global audience of nearly 5,000 tuned into the Virtual 6th Annual Freeze HD event on Saturday, September 26th which raised $200,000 to support the fight against Huntington’s disease (HD). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) transitioned the world’s largest and most-anticipated HD fundraising event to a virtual format. Hosted live by actor Scott Porter from a secure location in Los Angeles, Freeze HD featured an incredible online auction, live music with Brian Logan Dales from The Summer Set and dozens of videos from celebrities offering their support in the fight against HD.
Missed the show? No problem! CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE RECORDING OF THE VIRTUAL 6TH ANNUAL FREEZE HD. Donations are still being accepted to support the event by visiting HDSA.org/freezehd!
HD is described as a combination of ALS, Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s. This devastating brain disorder, with no cure, is known as the quintessential family disease because each child of a parent with HD has a 50% chance of inheriting the gene that causes HD.
“Each year, Freeze HD is star-studded call to action to stop Huntington’s disease in its tracks. While we missed gathering in person, hosting the event virtually reached the global HD community and allowed more families to connect and be inspired in this fight,” said HDSA’s President & CEO Louise Vetter. “This was a Herculean task by our host Scott Porter, event founders Marianna Palka and Jason Ritter, and the entire Host Committee, who donated their time and immense talent to make Freeze HD such a success.”
The 6th Annual Freeze HD honored the lives of Hurumia Chidinma and Terry Palka and featured appearances by Shakira Barrera, Wilson Bethel, Rachel Bilson, Alison Brie, India De Beaufort, Tom Ellis, Noel Fisher, Courtney Friel, Neil Gaiman, Kimmy Gatewood, Seth Green, Rebekka Johnson, Bryce Dallas Howard, Allie LaForce, Rachel McAdams, Kate Miner, Jaylen Moore, Lamorne Morris, Marianna Palka, Gayle Rankin, Jason Ritter, Joe Smith, Rod Man, Britney Young and many more. There were also extraordinary music performances by Zac Barnett, Shoshana Bean, Brian Logan Dales, Leslie Powell, The Edge Effect and Tyson Ritter.
The bidding in the Virtual Auction was fierce up until the last second. 2,037 bids were placed throughout the evening on more than 100 auction items, but the most coveted was a Supernatural memorabilia package donated by Jared Padalecki that garnered 193 bids! Although the auction is now closed, you can visit www.HDSA.org/bid to view the incredible items.
Immediately following the Freeze HD program, guests who donated at least $50.00 were invited to an exclusive VIP Afterparty hosted by comedian Rod Man. The hour-long Zoom event featured an opportunity to meet Kate Miner, Marianna Palka, Scott Porter and Jason Ritter, as well as take part in a fun trivia game that gave away a $100 Amazon gift card to the winner.
Thank you to the Freeze HD Host Committee: Angelique Cabral, Jessica Cain, Kipenzi Chidinma, Chris & Lisa Davis, Brian Logan Dales, Blake & Jenne Coler-Dark, Jessica Etting, Matt & Courtney Hamilton, Gentille Koosed, Jaylen Moore & Britt Logan, Justin & Kate Miner, Elliott & Tracy Owen, Kelsey Porter, Carly Ritter, Nancy Morgan Ritter, Tyler & Lelia Ritter, Emily & Jamie Rodgers, Alana Yankowitz and Jason Ziven.
A special thank you to our generous sponsors who helped make the Virtual 6th Annual Freeze HD a huge success: Gold Sponsors: Genentech, Neurocrine and uniQure. Silver Sponsors: Bel Aire Internet, Marron Foods and Wave Life Sciences. Bronze Sponsors: Fake Empire, Keyes Real Estate and Temple Hill Productions. Bar Sponsors: After Hours Theatre Company, Jessica & Tammy Cain, Phil & Tamar Koosed, Netflix, Twelve Rivers Realty and Warner Bros.. Friend Sponsors: Brillstein Entertainment Partners, Blake & Jenne Coler-Dark, Fidelty National Title, NRE Commercial Real Estate and Carly Ritter.
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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.
