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Learning About Other Diseases Improves HD Advocacy

As a Huntington’s disease (HD) community advocate, I am always trying to listen and learn from anyone who may help the cause. This means listening to people outside the HD community, as well as those who are part of it. Earlier this year, I was connected to a young…

Let’s Do More to Fight Huntington’s Disease

It’s not enough. That’s what I kept thinking when my wife, Jill, and I were watching the 7th Annual Freeze HD virtual event on Oct. 16. This entertaining and emotional benefit featured a silent auction, music performances, and celebrities who shared how Huntington’s disease (HD) has affected family members…

Global Genes, Diversity Coalition Team Up to Advance Health Equity

Global Genes has partnered with the Rare Disease Diversity Coalition (RDDC) to advance health equity for rare disease patients and caregivers in underrepresented communities of color. “For rare disease patients, there are many challenges — and for people of color with a rare disease, these challenges are compounded…

Patience Is a Requirement for Good Caregiving

My wife, Jill, who is gene-positive with Huntington’s disease (HD), is a born caregiver. It’s one of the reasons I fell in love with her. I watched her take care of her father, who also was diagnosed with HD, as he started to decline physically and mentally. It was an…

Rare Disease Diversity Coalition Awards $600K to Combat Disparities

The Rare Disease Diversity Coalition (RDDC) awarded $600,000 in grants to ease the disparities faced by rare disease patients of color. These Impact Rare Disease Solution grants will go five RDDC steering committee working groups, which aim to identify problems for rare disease communities and advocate for solutions. The five…

NeuExcell, Spark to Develop Neuroregenerative Gene Therapy

NeuExcell Therapeutics has entered into a research deal with Spark Therapeutics to advance the development of a safe and effective neuroregenerative gene therapy for Huntington’s disease. Under the terms of the agreement, Spark, a member of the Roche Group, will have access to NeuExcell’s gene therapy platform…

The People Involved in Freeze HD Warm My Heart

On Saturday evening, my wife, Jill, and I will be putting on our fancy party clothes to attend the 7th Annual Freeze HD virtual event. The benefit will feature celebrities, music performances, and a silent auction, with the goal of raising money for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America.