As a chapter of the HSC, Young People Affected by Huntington Disease (YPAHD) aspires to a reliable treatment for Huntington disease (HD).
YPAHD strives to:
Provide a community and support network for young people affected by HD.
Increase public awareness thereby enabling others to understand the disease.
Raise funds to deliver services for those living with HD and to further research in order to slow and prevent HD.
Listen to and advocate for the needs and goals of young people affected by HD through the communication mechanisms provided by the Huntington Society of Canada.
To find out more about YPAHD click here.
Youth Mentorship Program
The HSC Mentorship Program is designed to support young people across Canada facing the everyday challenges of growing up in a family affected by Huntington disease. HSC is committed to offering a nationwide mentoring program that provides youth with one-on-one time and attention with a mentor who will receive ongoing support from a Social Worker within the HSC.
The Mentorship Program strives to:
- Encourage and help prepare youth for the challenges they face
- Serve to help breakdown the sense of isolation many youth affected by HD experience
- Assist youth to make informed decisions about their life
- Provide youth with positive role models and support
- Connect youth to YPAHD (Young People Affected by HD) and the HD community
To find out more about the Youth Mentorship Program click here.
Meet the Nominees for our 2022-2024 YPAHD Executive
Join us as we support the mission of the Huntington Society of Canada through building a network of support for young people affected by Huntington disease.
Voting is closed. Stay tuned to ypahd.ca and YPAHD’s social media for an announcement about the new executive. In the meantime, meet the nominees below!
Mackenzie Remillard is running for 2 positions — Vice President and Youth Engagement Coordinator. Here’s what Mackenzie has to say…
“I am currently serving as the youth engagement coordinator and am very engaged in the HD community. From volunteer chapter positions to being a trained mentor as part of the mentorship program, I find many ways to volunteer, fundraise and advocate for our community.”
Taylor Van Beest has been nominated for Social Media Coordinator. Here’s what she has to say…
“My name is Taylor Van Beest, I have been involved with YPAHD to some capacity since 2015. In 2015 me and my siblings attended our first YPAHD day in Toronto, and in 2018 I attended my first conference in Kelowna, BC. My experience with HD goes beyond these 2 events though, HD has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. I am thrilled to have been nominated for a place on the YPAHD executives as the social media coordinator and would love the opportunity to be a part of this and grow within the YPAHD community!”
Caleb Harding has been nominated for YPAHD President. Here’s what he has to say…
“I’ve been involved with YPAHD since 2015 in two roles: as social media coordinator and as vice president. I work with youth in a professional capacity and advocating for the Huntington’s community is my passion outside of the office. I live in Tofino BC with my wife, son, and dog. You can find us any day out at the beach or in the mountains on the coast.”
Celine Payne has been nominated for the positions of Vice-President and Social Media Coordinator. Here’s what she has to say…
“Hello my lovely HD fam, my story with HD begins with my heart and soul, my purpose and reason I am who I am today, my dear mother who unfortunately lost her battle with HD two years ago at the young age of 48. I have been a part of this community for almost a decade now, starting as a mentee which led me to my first YPAHD day in 2017. This is where I met so many amazing people and this is what truly opened up a whole new world for me that I would have never had if it weren’t for the HSC and these programs. I would love to be a part of the YPAHD executive to continue working toward spreading awareness and raising funds so that we can continue to give people opportunities like I had and so that we will hopefully, some day, live in an HD free world.”
Parker has been nominated for the positions of Social Media Coordinator and Youth Engagement Coordinator. Here’s what he has to say…
“Hey everyone! Parker here, I would just like to start by saying thank you for the nomination it really does mean so much to me. I’ve been nominated for social media coordinator and youth engagement coordinator. My story with Huntington’s goes back as far as I can remember. Attending local London chapter meets with my mom and the rest of my siblings. Little did I know how involved I would become as I got older. I attended my first YPAHD Day in 2018 and have not looked back since. My siblings and I decided to run a bottle drive in honour of our late mother. We were able to spead awareness and raise money at the same time. I’m a big thinker and a wild personality and would love to be a member of YPAHD in 2022. Good luck to everyone who was nominated!”
Click here to vote for your next YPAHD President, Vice-President, Social Media Coordinator and Youth Coordinator! Voting is open until 11:59 p.m. Eastern, March 23, 2022. One vote per person.
Other Opportunities with YPAHD:
Here are some other ways you might be able to make a difference and contribute to our cause:
• Help out at a YPAHD event (volunteer on that day)
• Solicit donations and prizes for fundraising events
• Consider a position on the YPAHD executive
• Promote participation in YPAHD events
• Represent YPAHD at local chapter events
• Become a youth mentor
• Tell someone about HD
If you are interested in getting involved, contact us.