Our inspiration has been driven by the compassion that UCI researchers have demonstrated. This, in turn, has motivated our families with courage to continue advocating for an HD treatment and one day to end the devastation of Huntington’s disease. HD CARE funded several preclinical studies in the Thompson lab to evaluate ways to slow or delay disease in stem cell and other models of the disease. T
hese studies would not have been possible or performed as quickly without HD CARE support. HD CARE also provided support to two young researchers to attend a national HD meeting and support for scientists in the lab to carry out innovative studies. A grant was provided to Dr. Larry Marsh to complete an ongoing study to distinguish the toxic effects within different forms of the mutant HD protein in fruit flies and support provided to Dr. Joan Steffan for her work on how the normal function of HTT is compromised in HD and how one might restore that function. For 2017, HD CARE will also provide matching funds for a Phase I safety clinical trial in early stage HD subjects by Dr. Neal Hermanowicz. Through our Community Advocacy, we have raised greater support for HD Research, and by Educating the public about HD, we are doing our part to guard the dignity of the HD patient and furthering understanding of the disease, as well as promoting compassion and excellence of care for HD families. The fight goes on! We will remain steadfast in our vision of an HD-free tomorrow. Thank you for joining us in our fight to end Huntington’s disease, and here’s to a happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year!
