The Huntington's Disease Society of America's (HDSA) Mid Atlantic Region will be hosting the Virginia Beach Virtual Team Hope Walk on Sunday, September 13. Team Hope is HDSA’s largest national grassroots fundraising event.
A virtual walk differs from a normal walk in the sense that participants may choose the location and route of their walk and if they choose they can just walk on a treadmill.
Huntington's disease is a fatal genetic disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain.
Virginia Beach resident Robert Campbell is diagnosed with the disease and served in the Navy. He is among the more than 8,000 that have HD in Virginia.
“I used to run marathons, now my gait is so small I have a hard time walking up and down my street and my balance is weakening,” Campbell said. “My pronunciation is hard to understand, my memories and hearing are fading. I cannot smile anymore, and empathy is taking all my emotions away. Driving a car that I love so much is now a memory.”
The symptoms of Huntington’s disease are described as having ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s (Lou Gehrig disease) – simultaneously according to the HDSA.
“Never despair, live one day at a time, be an avid spokesperson about Huntington disease, get involved and educate yourself, and participate in all clinical trials,” Campbell said. “The cure is right around the corner, we must eliminate HD from the world, no more HD.”
For more information on the event go to click here.
