(LAKE COMO, NJ) -- The New Jersey Chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) will host the Jersey Shore Team Hope Walk/5K Run on Saturday, April 30th at 8:00am at Bar Anticipation in Lake Como, NJ. All proceeds support HDSA’s mission to improve the lives of people affected by Huntington’s disease (HD) and their families. 

“At the beginning and end of the walk when participants gather, it has the feel of a family reunion complete with hugs and smiles among teams who walk,” said Virginia Goolkasian, HDSA’s Northeast Regional Development Officer. “The event is a warm welcome to newcomers who no longer feel alone in the fight against HD. For everyone it is a feeling of empowerment as they see an army of people coming together to make a difference.”   

Team Hope is HDSA’s largest national grassroots fundraising event, which takes place in over 100 cities across the U.S. and has raised more than $20 million for HD since its inception in 2007. Thousands of families, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and communities walk together each year to support HDSA’s mission to improve the lives of people affected by HD and their families.

Online registration and donation can be found at hdsa.org/thwjerseyshore 

Huntington’s disease (HD) 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 inheriting 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 and 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. HDSA was founded in 1967 by Marjorie Guthrie, the wife of legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie. Woody died from HD complications when he was only 55 years old, but the Guthrie family legacy lives on at HDSA to this day.