UCI Mind Running Club wrote -

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE FOUNDATION wrote -

UCI MIND is one of the nation’s premiere institutes of neurological diseases.  UCI MIND has been highly successful in placing Alzheimer’s disease research at UC Irvine on forefront of anywhere in the world.  UCI MIND is now promoting its world-renowned Huntington’s disease (HD) research programs.

HD is a genetic, progressive neuro-degenerative disease that has ravished the lives of families for centuries.  Linda Pimental, the event organizer, lost her late husband, Steven Oades, to Huntington’s Disease in 2001. We have established the Steven Oades Memorial HD Fund that directly goes to these HD research programs. Linda’s 21 year old daughter, Stephany Oades, remains at risk for Huntington’s Disease, having a 50/50 chance of inheriting the gene.  Our fight is to make this the last generation of Huntington’s Disease! 

UCI’s Huntington’s Disease research program is world class and is in great need of support from the community so that the dedicated researchers can continue their invaluable work.  The UCI Foundation has set up a specific account, whereby 100% of the donation goes towards this mission - to find a treatment or cure for this devastating disease.  The research monies donated will go towards Dr. Leslie Thompson's laboratory, which has been on the forefront of many HD studies.     Dr. Thompson’s laboratory is one of the pioneers to utilize cutting edge technology to create stem cells from skin cells donated from affected individuals and create a human cell model of HD utilizing those stem cells.  Her research not only pushes through stem cell therapeutics but also involves novel drug or therapeutic targets. UCI’s Stem Cell Research Center works in close association with the state stem cell agency, the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).  Dr. Neal Hermanowicz and his HD research through clinical trials at UCI’s Gottschalk Medical Center will also receive benefit from the funds raised through this event.  Donations funding their research truly allow the HD patient community to invest in a cure or treatment on a wide spectrum of possibilities.   Your participation will help keep the memory alive of HD patients like Steven Oades and make a real difference!

Thank you for supporting the UCI Mind Running Club and our efforts to treat and cure Huntington’s Disease.