Our Latest Sponsored Charity: Huntington’s Disease Association
Posted by Louisa Heath on August 30th, 2018.
Every month we try to raise both money and awareness for a different local or national charity (chosen by our staff) and our latest charity was the Huntington’s Disease Association.
So what is Huntingtons Disease? Individuals can inherit the Huntington’s gene from their parents. Over time, the gene prevents various parts of the brain from functioning correctly, making day to day life progressively more challenging for anyone living with the illness.
This gradual deterioration results in a variety of symptoms including mood swings, memory lapses and movement difficulties. These symtoms tend to get progressively worse over the years once the first symptoms start to manifest.
As a result, people living with Huntington’s disease need access to information and long-term support in order to help them better adapt to the gradual changes that the condition introduces to their lives.
As Kate Davis, the Head of Fundraising at Huntington’s Disease Association, told us:
“We are the only charity working across England and Wales for people affected by Huntington’s Disease, also called HD.
“Our commitment is that nobody has to face HD alone. We’ll be there.
“We pursue the best possible care for people living with HD. We empower the HD community of people living with the disease, people at risk of the disease, family members and carers.
“People with HD are some of the most vulnerable in our society. As the disease progresses, a person with HD will lose their independence. They may lose their job and become increasingly isolated. Thoughts of suicide are common.
“Because each person with HD has a different experience of the disease, diagnosis and treatment is complex and challenging. Although health and social care support is available, the system is hard to navigate.
“Marriages and families are put under extreme pressure. This is made worse because of the hidden nature of HD – there is still a stigma attached to the disease and often misdiagnosis. Because of the impact on parents and relatives, children in HD families can face neglect or abuse. Severe behavioural changes can lead to offending and imprisonment for some people with HD.
“A lifeline for the HD community, our Specialist Huntington’s Disease Advisory Service (SHDA) is here to help.”
Over the course of last month our staff raised £300 through donations on weekly dress down Fridays to help Huntington’s Disease Association improve the care and support available for people living with the illness.
If you want to find out more about the work that Huntington’s Disease Association does and how to get involved with fundraising of your own then be sure to check out their website and help them to continue extending their support for those dealing with this condition.
You can also follow Huntington’s Disease Association on Facebook or Twitter to stay up to date with the latest news and events.
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