Huntington’s Disease Awareness Week: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about Huntington’s Disease Awareness Week (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. Huntington’s Disease Awareness Week is celebrated on May 11th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of Huntington’s Disease Awareness Week, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as intriguing facts you might want to know about Huntington’s Disease Awareness Week.

📅 What day is Huntington’s Disease Awareness Week 2024?

In 2024, Huntington’s Disease Awareness Week is on Thursday, May 11th. It is the 2nd Thursday in May; in 2024, it is Saturday. There are until the next observance. You also can learn all the fun details and facts about May 11, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

In the United Kingdom, there is an annual event called Huntington’s Disease Awareness Week, which will take place from May 11 to 17 this year. It aims to raise awareness about Huntington’s disease, a genetic disorder that affects the brain and causes involuntary movements and progressive dementia. The disease was named after George Huntington, an American doctor who provided the first comprehensive explanation of its symptoms and effects.

📜 Huntington’s Disease Awareness Week History

Huntington’s disease was first described by George Huntington in 1872, after studying the inhabitants of East Hampton, Long Island, New York. He observed the same symptoms across multiple generations of the same family. Although various medical experts had recognized the symptoms, they lacked a detailed explanation for the disease. In 1983, the US-Venezuela Huntington’s Disease Collaborative Research Project helped identify the approximate location of the gene responsible for the disease.

The disease can manifest in patients either as children or adults. Adult-onset Huntington’s disease typically occurs in a person’s thirties or forties. Symptoms include irritability, involuntary movements, sadness, lack of coordination, difficulty with walking, sleeping, swallowing, learning, and decision-making. It can also cause uncontrollable jerking or twitching movements known as “chorea.” In children, the symptoms of Huntington’s disease are similar to those in adults, but they may also experience slurred speech, slow movements, clumsiness, stiffness, drooling, and frequent falls. While adolescent patients typically live for 10 to 15 years after symptoms appear, adult patients can live for 15 to 20 years after symptom onset.

✅ Huntington’s Disease Awareness Week Facts

🔖 Pre-pregnancy planning is possible
In vitro fertilization (IVF) along with pre-implantation genetic testing offers a solution to individuals affected by the mutant Huntington’s gene or the disease, allowing them to prevent its transmission to their offspring.

🔖 Genetic testing is important
A genetic test is a method that can determine if an individual possesses the mutated Huntington gene.

🔖 Huntington’s is hereditary
If someone has Huntington’s disease, there is a 50% chance that their children will inherit the disease.

👍 Why Is Huntington’s Disease Awareness Week Important

Many individuals are still uninformed about Huntington’s disease and how it impacts sufferers and their families. This week guarantees that more people become aware of the issue and how to help patients.

It is critical to obtain a diagnosis as soon as possible. This holiday encourages individuals to undergo periodic check-ups so that they can be diagnosed early.

This awareness week recalls and encourages people to contribute money to help sufferers with Huntington’s disease. The monies are frequently used to pay for crisis telephone help, to sponsor a patient to attend a social activity, or to offer welfare handouts to patients.

🙂 How To Observe Huntington’s Disease Awareness Week

⚡ Support the cause
Show your support for individuals with Huntington’s disease by making a commitment to assist them in any possible way. Express your care by gifting them with flowers to bring happiness to their lives or simply being there to lend a sympathetic ear during their moments of sadness.

⚡ Spread awareness
Huntington’s Condition Awareness Week aims to raise public knowledge and understanding about the disease. Join the celebration by sharing information about Huntington’s disease through various means such as posters, online campaigns, and personal conversations.

⚡ Fundraise in aid of people living with the disease
You can participate in or initiate a fundraising event to support individuals with Huntington’s disease. Your generous donations will greatly contribute to providing the necessary financial support for the association to effectively cater to the needs of these patients.

📅 When is Huntington’s Disease Awareness Week?

Discover all 🔗 May holidays, including 🔗 Health and other 🔗 Awareness holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and cool facts about Huntington’s Disease Awareness Week. So be sure to check back soon.