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Community Corner

7th Annual Hearts for Huntington's Dinner Dance

A Great Valentine’s Event that Provides Support for Huntington’s Disease Society of America’s Programs of Research, Care and Education to Improve the Lives of Illinois Families Battling Huntington’s Disease

This February 15th, at 6PM the Seventh Annual Hearts for Huntington’s Dinner Dance offers a special opportunity to enjoy a great evening of dinner and dancing, and at the same time lending support to the families in Illinois that face the devastation of Huntington’s disease (HD) every day.

The Hilton Chicago/Northbrook will be the site of this year’s event, which kicks off with cocktails at6PM, followed by dinner, dancing, an auction of unique local items and several surprises. Tickets are only $70 per person ($23 of which is tax deductible) and can be purchased online at www.hdsa.org/il or by calling Barry Kahn, at 847-975-2403.

“The event has grown over the years, and is great way for people to have a fun night with their Valentine, and at the same time help the many local families affected by this devastating disease,” explained Barry Kahn, former Treasurer and member of the National Board of Trustees of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA), long-time member of the Illinois Chapter, and host (with his wife Marilyn) of the event. The HDSA Center of Excellence at Rush University Medical Center, which provides specialized team care for people with HD, is an example of the type of HDSA program supported by this event.

Huntington’s disease is a devastating, hereditary, degenerative brain disorder that results in a loss of cognitive, behavioral and physical control, and for which, presently, there is no treatment or cure. HD slowly diminishes the affected individual's ability to walk, think, talk and reason. Symptoms usually appear in an individual between 30 and 50 years of age and progress over a 10 to 25 year period. Eventually, a person with HD becomes totally dependent upon others for his or her care.
 
More than 30,000 people in the United States are currently diagnosed with HD and 250,000 are at-risk. Each of their siblings and children has a 50 percent risk of developing the disease.  Although medications can relieve some symptoms in certain individuals, research has yet to find a means of conquering or even slowing the deadly progression of HD.  The first therapy approved by the FDA specifically for Huntington’s Disease (HD) was released only six years ago. 

The Huntington’s Disease Society of America is the largest 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by Huntington’s Disease. Founded in 1968 by Marjorie Guthrie, wife of folk legend Woody Guthrie who lost his battle with HD, the Society works tirelessly to provide the family services, education, advocacy and research to provide help for today, hope for tomorrow to the more than 30,000 people diagnosed with HD in the United States. The Society is comprised of 48 local chapters and affiliates across the country with its headquarters in New York City .To learn more about Huntington’s Disease and to get involved in HDSA, please visit www.hdsa.org or call 1-800-345-HDSA.

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