The HDSA of North Carolina Announces 7th Annual HDSA Golf Classic

The Huntington’s Disease Society of America of North Carolina (HDSA of NC) has announced the date of their 7th Annual HDSA Golf Classic. The annual fundraiser will be held on Thursday, August 30th at the Crooked Creek Golf Club in Fuquay-Varina. Registration and cart assignment will begin at 11:30AM with a Shotgun start at 1:00PM.

Started in 2001, the HDSA of NC’s Golf Tournament has raised over $50,000, with last year’s event alone raising $10,700. Former Chapter President and Founder, John Canning, actively serves on the association’s Board of Directors and has a personal connection to this cause. His father died of Huntington’s Disease.

“Obviously, this is an emotional cause that is very near and dear to me,” explains Canning. “This is a disease that doesn’t discriminate. It reaches across gender, racial, and ethnic boundaries. It’s a disease that absolutely devastates anyone and everyone connected to it.”

According to the HDSA’s national website, Huntington's Disease (HD) is a non-curable hereditary and degenerative brain disorder, which 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. The disease was named for Dr. George Huntington, who first described this hereditary disorder in 1872. Today, HD is recognized as one of the more common genetic disorders with more than a quarter of a million Americans having been diagnosed with HD or are "at risk" of inheriting the disease from an affected parent.

Canning explains that because HD is a hereditary disease, it doesn’t garner the same national recognition as cancer or heart disease. Because of this, it has become increasingly more difficult to raise funds for this cause. “The general population is simply overwhelmed with the amount of charitable groups and causes there that are all worthy and deserving of financial support,” says Canning. Canning says his association’s goal for this year is to best last year’s efforts. “Past tournaments have averaged 60 golfers. We’d like to increase participation to 100 golfers and raise well over $10,000,” says Canning.

The HDSA of NC has several ways for people to support its Golf Tournament. Businesses can contribute through corporate sponsorships and individuals can sign up to become tournament golfers. Canning says that non-golfers are also invited to help out as Tournament volunteers—both in preparation and during the day of the Tournament.

To find out more about the event or how to help, visit the Chapter’s website at www.hdsanc.org or contact John Canning at (919) 669-2560 or Terry Gill at (919) 362-1097 ext. 111.

About The Huntington’s Disease Society of America
The Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) is dedicated to finding a cure for Huntington's Disease (HD) while providing support and services for those living with HD and their families. HDSA promotes and supports both clinical and basic HD research, aids families in coping with the multi-faceted problems presented by HD, and educates the families, the public, and heath care professionals about Huntington's Disease. Our HD families give a face to Huntington's Disease. HDSA is its voice. For more information, visit our national website at www.hdsa.org.