Sunday, January 17, 2010

Kilimanjaro... Here We Come.




Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shana Martin
Shana@shanamartin.com

Kili Klimb for a Kure

This February six adventurers will travel to Tanzania to climb mount Kilimanjaro in order to raise money and awareness for Huntington’s Disease Society of America. Shana Martin, Nate Greenberg, Ryan Desch, Peter Verstegen, Katie Jones and Gretchen Greenberg will take an 8 day Trek on the Lemosho route to the 19,340 foot summit of Africa's highest mountain.

The climbers are responsible for paying their own expenses and raising money for HDSA through Firstgiving websites. The money raised by this climb will go toward research for a cure for Huntington’s Disease and to provide services for HD patients and their families.

Martin, who's mother is afflicted with the disease, has a fifty percent chance of inheriting the gene that causes Huntington’s.

Duluth Trading Company has donated some of the necessary clothing and gear to the climbers.

Research funded by HDSA is of benefit everyone, not just those affected by this disease. The knowledge gained, and the techniques developed by our scientists is being utilized by their colleagues working on solutions for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and every other disease that has a genetic component – and current thinking is that almost every major disease has one.

Huntington’s Disease: a devastating, hereditary, degenerative brain disorder for which there is, at present, no effective treatment or cure. HD slowly diminishes the affected individual’s ability to walk, think, talk and reason. Eventually, the person with HD becomes totally dependent upon others for his or her care. Huntington’s Disease profoundly affects the lives of entire families – emotionally, socially and economically. HD typically begins in mid-life, between the ages of 30 and 50, though onset may occur as early as the age of two. HD affects as many people as Hemophilia, Cystic Fibrosis or Muscular Dystrophy.

HDSA is the largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting Huntington’s Disease. HDSA provides vital support and a service to improve the lives of those affected by HD, offers resources for HD families and supports research to find a cure for HD.

Anyone interested in donating can visit www.firstgiving.com/shanamartin

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