Columns

‘Punting’ for a Cure for Huntington’s

My wife, Jill, and I celebrated our wedding anniversary last month. We like to joke that we don’t keep track of the years because it seems like yesterday when we got married. Some years, as a gift, I like to write her something romantic or funny. This year, I decided…

US Patient Groups Give Thumbs-Up to Rule Against Surprise Billing

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is applauding the Biden administration for announcing a rule to protect consumers from surprise medical billing, in a joint statement with 26 other U.S. patient organizations. The interim final rule will implement patient protections required by the No Surprises Act. Surprise…

A Road Trip I Would Only Take for My Mom

I’ve found that having a parent with Huntington’s disease makes you value every moment with them, even in unfortunate situations. For instance, normally I wouldn’t volunteer to go on a road trip from Massachusetts to Illinois, but I would for my mother. As I’ve previously written, my mom was…

Partnership Aims to Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs for Rare Disease Meds

AllianceRx Walgreens Prime, a specialty and home delivery pharmacy, is partnering with TailorMed, a healthcare technology company, to help lower out-of-pocket prescription costs for specialty pharmacy patients. Medications attained through specialty pharmacies are those used to treat rare and chronic conditions in the U.S., and are often extremely costly. For…

Why I Choose to Be Like Water

“Parting is such sweet sorrow,” Shakespeare once wrote. And don’t I know it. Recently, the big news in my home is we’re moving to the East Coast, as my wife, Jill, and I want to move closer to our daughter, who lives in Boston, and other family…

Nominations Open for 2022 Eurordis Black Pearl Awards

Nominations are now open for the worldwide 2022 Black Pearl Awards from Eurordis-Rare Diseases Europe. The 12 award categories recognize individual advocates, policy makers, researchers, organizations, and companies who work to make a difference for the global rare disease community. The deadline for nominations is Sept. 10…

The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease

Dear people working to find a cure for Huntington’s disease (HD), I imagine you all have various reasons for seeking a cure. Near the top of your list is probably a love for science and a challenge. Or, perhaps you view HD like George Huntington, whose medical observations of people…

Good Decision-making Is an Important Trait for Caregivers

My wife, Jill, and I recently bought a new car. While this might not seem related to the Huntington’s disease community, it actually is, because it involves decision-making, a big topic for families who deal with the disease. I’m thrilled about the new car, as well as another important development…