Cleveland Hope Walk & 5K Run Set for Aug. 15, Benefits HDSA

The Cleveland Team Hope Walk & 5K Run is on tap for Aug. 15 to raise funds to help the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) Northeast Ohio Chapter to improve the lives of Huntington’s disease (HD) patients and their families.

The event, which seeks to raise $36,000 this year, kicks off at the Cleveland Zoo in Ohio. Check out HDSA event guidelines for in-person events during the COVID-19 outbreak.

“After all the stresses and uncertainty of the last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, getting out of the house with family and friends to support HDSA will be a joyous experience,” Curtis Newton, the event’s coordinator, said in a press release. “The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is always a great place for a family outing.”

Team Hope is HDSA’s largest and signature national grassroots fundraising event. Each year, thousands of people walk — and run the 3.1 miles — to support the nonprofit organization’s mission to help patients and their families and caregivers. Since the events began in 2007, the walks have taken place in more than 100 different cities and have raised more than $14 million, according to Team Hope.

Supporters may start or join a team for the Cleveland Team Hope Walk & 5K Run. They also can donate to the event, a participant, or a team. Go here to register for the Cleveland event, or here to find a local walk.

Fundraising incentives include a Team Hope T-shirt for those who bring in donations of $30 or more, and a baseball cap for those raising at least $200. A polar cup goes to those bringing in $500 or more, and a backpack is given to those generating donations of at least $1,000. Participants who raise $2,000 or more will receive a portable power bank.

National sponsors for Team Hope include biotechnology company Genentech and the pharmaceutical company Teva, both of which are developing Huntington’s treatments. The HDSA also is calling on local companies and small businesses to sponsor the Ohio walk.

“Team Hope Walks aim to raise as much money possible in the local community to support the mission and services of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America,” the HDSA Northeast Ohio Chapter states in a separate press release. “There are many different fundraising strategies you may use to have a successful fundraising campaign and HDSA suggests you use all of them!”

All participants are given a fundraising toolkit to help them in generating donations.

For answers to questions about the event, send an email to [email protected] or call coordinator Newton at 216-440-1880.

Huntington’s disease is a progressive genetic disorder that causes the deterioration of brain nerve cells.