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Don Stevenson, the 'Pacin' Parson' to Complete 13,000 Mile Walk Across the Country to Benefit the Huntington's Disease Society of America

Posted on: Thursday, 11 September 2008, 15:00 CDT

NEW YORK, Sept. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Don Stevenson, known as the "Pacin' Parson" will complete an epic journey spanning 13,000 miles across the United States on Monday, September 15. Mr. Stevenson set out on this incredible feat to create greater awareness of Huntington's Disease (HD), a devastating genetic neurological degenerative illness that affects over 30,000 Americans, with another 250,000 at risk of having the disease -- and to raise funds to support the Huntington's Disease Society of America's (HDSA) Research Pipeline.

Originally starting his quest locally in Seattle, Washington, on January 10, 2007, Mr. Stevenson set out for his walk across the country in May 2008, and will begin the final leg of his walk on the New Jersey side of the George Washington Bridge on Monday at 10 a.m., joined by members of HDSA's New Jersey Chapter. When Mr. Stevenson reaches the New York side of the bridge, he will be met by members of the New York Chapter of HDSA, including several individuals who have Huntington's Disease.

The group will proceed to walk downtown to the Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center (TCCHCC), located at 1249 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y., which is the largest skilled nursing facility for people living with HD in the country. There will be a reception at the TCCHCC Roof Terrace beginning at 12:30 p.m. Mr. Stevenson and his fellow walkers will arrive at 1 p.m., and will be greeted by individuals and families affected by HD as well as members of HDSA and the TCCHCC medical and administrative staff. Barbara Boyle, National Executive Director/CEO of HDSA, will present a plaque of appreciation to Mr. Stevenson.

Huntington's Disease is 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. Children who develop the juvenile form of the disease rarely live to adulthood. HD affects males and females equally and crosses all ethnic and racial boundaries. Each child of a person with HD has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the fatal gene. Everyone who carries the gene will develop the disease. HD affects as many people as Hemophilia, Cystic Fibrosis or muscular dystrophy.

The Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center is currently home to 52 HD residents, who receive specialized care and recreational programming -- Tai Chi, Massage, Music Therapy, Horticulture -- to promote safety, independence and well-being. This year marks the 20-year anniversary of Cardinal Cooke's opening of the unit and the admission of the first HD patients to TCCHCC. The program of care at TCCHCC is considered a model for Huntington's Disease long-term care facilities throughout the United States. TCCHCC Medical Director, Dr. Anthony Lechich, spearheads an education program for medical students held at TCCHCC, encourages research and writes articles regarding HD. TCCHCC is honored to be part of this celebration, thankful for Mr. Stevenson's efforts, and hopeful that his accomplishment will bring more focus on HD and the importance of funding HD research and treatment.

The Huntington's Disease Society of America is comprised of 38 local chapters and affiliates throughout the United States, with its national headquarters in New York. HDSA raises funds for its unique HDSA Drug Research Pipeline, made up of the HDSA Coalition for the Cure (basic scientists), CHDI (a virtual translational drug company), which develops potential therapies, and a clinical trials group that promotes and administers clinical trials of promising therapies. HDSA also supports 21 Centers of Excellence at major medical facilities throughout the U.S., where people with HD and their families receive medical, psychological and social services, in addition to physical and occupational therapy, genetic counseling and genetic testing. The Society has over 200 support groups for people with HD, families, caregivers and people at risk, and creates educational materials (digital and print) for the general public as well as medical professionals.

For additional information on Huntington's Disease and HDSA please visit http://www.hdsa.org/ or call 1-800-345-HDSA. For more information on the Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center please visit http://www.tcchcc.org/, or call 1-212-360-3711.

Huntington's Disease Society of America

CONTACT: Fred Taubman for Huntington's Disease Society of America,+1-212-242-1968 x229, ftaubman@hdsa.org

Web site: http://www.hdsa.org/http://www.tcchcc.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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