Media Kit

Huntington Society of Canada - Background Information

Huntington disease (HD) is an inherited brain disorder, affecting both body and mind.

Over its lengthy course, Huntington disease causes loss of physical control, emotional changes, mental deterioration — and ultimately leads to total incapacitation and death.

One in every 10,000 Canadians has Huntington’s. One in 1,000 is touched by HD — for example, as a person with HD, a family member, a person at risk, caregiver or friend.

Symptoms usually appear in the late 30s, though HD can also occur in much younger or older people.

Every child of a parent with HD has a 50% risk of developing the disease.

HD remains incurable, and there are no effective treatments.

Huntington Society of Canada

HSC was founded in 1973 as a national voluntary health charity.

The Society’s goals are to find, through research, new treatments and ultimately a cure for Huntington disease; to provide urgently-needed services for affected individuals and families; and to promote public and professional awareness of Huntington disease.

The Huntington Society comprises approximately 60 volunteer chapters and area representatives across Canada; an expanding national network of Resource Centres and support workers; leading members of the medical and scientific community; and a small national office staff.

HSC is a founding member of the International Huntington Association, representing members in more than 35 countries around the world.

The campaign against Huntington disease

There has been more progress toward defeating HD in the last five years than in the entire period since Huntington disease was first identified in 1872.

The campaign against HD gained tremendous momentum in 1993, with the landmark discovery of the gene responsible for the disease.

Scientific innovation and international collaboration have generated remarkable advances in our understanding of Huntington disease, and bold new strategies for fighting HD.

There is growing optimism within the Huntington’s community, in Canada and around the world, that it will be possible in the years ahead to defeat this devastating disease.

For more information, please contact:
Huntington Society of Canada
(519) 749-7063
[email protected]