Volume 12, Issue 8
HSC NEWS
School Principal Walking Across Canadian Province for Huntington Disease
Rare Disease Report – August 4, 2017
After losing his mother-in-law to Huntington disease (HD) after her 20-year fight against the condition, Vanguard school principal Greg Shwaga has used his summer break to walk across the Canadian province of Saskatchewan to raise funds and awareness. Click here to read the full article. Click here to learn more about Greg’s walk and support him in his journey.
Raising awareness one step at a time
Yorkton This Week – August 2, 2017
Greg Shwaga wants to raise money and awareness for Huntington disease, and he’s taken a long walk in order to do it. He has gone from border to border in Saskatchewan, and stopped by Yorkton This Week while he walked through the city. The trip began on July 10 on the border near Macklin, SK, and stopped at the Manitoba border near Lake of the Prairies. Click here to read the full piece. Click here to learn more about Greg’s walk and support him in his journey.
Walking for Huntington Disease
Humboldt Journal – July 26, 2017
Greg Shwaga is usually a Vanguard Community School principal but this summer he took on the Saskatchewan highways with his walk for Huntington disease. As of July 25, Shwaga made it 500 kilometers to Foam Lake, according to his Twitter and by the time he was finished, had walked 676 kilometers since starting his walk on July 10 in Macklin. He made a stop in Humboldt on July 19 to talk about his walk but officially walked into Humboldt on July 20. Click here to read the full piece. Click here to learn more about Greg’s walk and support him in his journey.
Greg Shwaga walks across Saskatchewan to raise awareness about Huntington Disease
The Wolf – July 25, 2017
A Saskatchewan school principal who is originally from Yorkton has walked across the province raising awareness and funds for Huntington Disease. Click here to read the full piece. Click here to learn more about Greg’s walk and support him in his journey.
Amaryllis sales are blossoming…
Thanks to our amazing group of dedicated amaryllis volunteers and purchasers, this year’s crop is already 55% sold out! Thank you to all who have placed your orders so early.
If you haven’t had a chance to order yet, please do not miss out! Together, we have many great reasons to inspire others to remember that each and every amaryllis we sell holds the promise of a world free from HD. And, at over 55% sold out, we want to ensure you have amaryllis this fall! Order today at www.inspirehope.ca or, if you prefer, please call HSC directly at 1-800-998-7398 or email us at amaryllis@huntingtonsociety.ca.
Champions of Hope
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RESEARCH NEWS
Genetic testing back on radar for parents
Toronto Star – August 9, 2017
At SickKids, parents are discussing testing again after a federal bill protecting patients from genetic discrimination (Genetic Non-Discrimination Act) passed in the spring. Now those familiar faces are starting to appear at the pediatrician-in-chief, Dr. Ronald Cohn’s, door. Click here to read the full article. Click here to read about the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act.
11 Incredible Things CRISPR Has Helped Us Achieve in 2017
Futurism – August 7, 2017
The CRISPR//Cas9 gene editing tool has quickly earned a reputation as a revolutionary technology, and its merits support the clout. This year has, in fact, seen so many CRISPR-related breakthroughs that it’s worthwhile to take a step back and take in all of the many accomplishments. Click here to learn more.
A step forward for gene editing: CRISPR-Cas9 and HD
HDBuzz – July 26, 2017
CRISPR-Cas9 is an experimental gene editing technique used to make precise changes in DNA. For the first time, scientists have used this approach to attack the Huntington’s Disease mutation in the brain cells of a mouse. Other researchers are refining CRISPR-Cas9 to be more efficient, specific, and safe. It’s still a long way from use in HD patients, but its application in mice is an exciting step forward. Click here to read the full article.
Wave Life Sciences Initiates Two Phase 1b/2a Clinical Trials: PRECISION-HD1 and PRECISION-HD2 in Patients with Huntington Disease
Business Wire – July 17, 2017
Wave Life Sciences Ltd. (NASDAQ:WVE), a biotechnology company focused on delivering transformational therapies for patients with serious, genetically-defined diseases, today announced the initiation of the Company’s PRECISION-HD program, which includes PRECISION-HD1 and PRECISION-HD2, the Company’s two Phase 1b/2a clinical trials evaluating WVE-120101 and WVE-120102, respectively, for patients with Huntington’s disease (HD). Click here to read the full article.
Huntington Society of Canada – Brain Canada Research Update Meeting
Click here to view the full details of the meeting.
Enroll-HD – July 2017
Click here to check out the latest updates in Enroll-HD’s monthly bulletin.
