Huntington's Disease Society of America - Plymouth Meeting, PA

Description

The Huntington's Disease Society of America is a national non-profit voluntary health agency that is dedicated to finding a cure for HD while providing both vital support and services to improve the lives of those affected by HD and their families through a comprehensive national network of volunteer-based chapters, affiliates, support groups and HDSA Centers of Excellence. HD is an inherited disorder caused by the mutation of a single gene, resulting in the slow and irreversible loss of both mental and physical capacity. One set generally occurs between the ages of 30 & 50, and progresses over a 10-15 year period. Symptoms include personality changes, forgetfulness and impaired judgement, unsteady gait and involuntary movements, slurred speech, and difficulty swallowing. Those affected by HD usually die from pneumonia, heart failure, or other complications. HD affects all ages, races, ethnicities and genders. There are approximately 30,000 persons in the US currently diagnosed iwth HD, and each of their siblings an children has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the deadly gene. HD is a "family disease," not just because it is inherited, but also because it profoundly affects the entire family unit emotionally, socially, and financially. Because of this, it is estimated that over 790,000 persons in the US are impacted by the disease. HD, like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, takes a person away from their loved ones and the rest of the world long before it kills them.