Local Huntington's Disease Society Chapter Raises Record Amount

Story courtesy of the Huntington's Disease Society of America

The Huntington’s Disease Society of America announced today that its San Diego chapter raised more than $55,000 at its sixth annual Team 2 Cure Huntington’s Disease Golf Tournament, exceeding the previous record of $18,000 in 2012.

Renato Shaffer, founder of Team 2 Cure, with his wife, Sharon, who is stricken with the disease, said 128 golfers participated in the event at Steele Canyon Golf Club on Aug. 23. The record amount included a check for $25,000 from a donor who applauded the work of the HDSA but asked to remain anonymous.

The day included golf, contests, dinner program, awards and silent auction to raise funds to seek a cure for HD. Participants included local business and civic leaders and San Diegans whose lives have been forever changed by having family members or friends afflicted with Huntington’s disease, a terminally genetic brain disorder affecting one out of every 10,000 Americans. The disease results in loss of physical motor skills, including the ability to walk and talk, eventually leaving patients completely disabled and dependent. Children of parents with HD have a 50 percent chance of expressing the disease.

The funds generated from the tournament serve ongoing research and education toward finding a cure, and providing support services for those living with the ultimately fatal disorder.

The San Diego Chapter of HDSA has several annual events that contribute to the search for a cure. Last year’s 12th Annual Celebration of Hope Gala raised more than $155,000, a record. The chapter is a recognized national leader in pioneering awareness and fighting to cure HD.

“We were extremely pleased with support we received from the San Diego community for the golf tournament,” said Steve Mansion, chairman. “Sharon and Renato Shaffer started this tournament six years ago, to raise funds and awareness for HD. We look forward to continuing to build on the strong foundation they have established and plan to do even better next year!”

With no known cure or effective treatments, those in the HD community are left with few options and little hope. The HDSA mission is to improve the lives of people and their families living with HD, and to promote and support the medical efforts to eradicate the disease, with all proceeds from all HDSA events donated in support of this mission.