By: Mallory Bachmann
Last week, the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases joined UF Health colleagues, students, and local families impacted by Huntington’s disease (HD) for the Gainesville Team Hope Walk at Depot Park. The event brought together more than 40 participants, including members of the Fixel team, UF medical students, pediatric genetic counselors, and four local HD families, along with a few furry friends who came out to show their support.
The Team Hope Walk is part of a national movement uniting communities across the country to raise awareness and funds for Huntington’s disease. These walks are more than a fundraiser, they are a chance for families, clinicians, and advocates to stand side by side in solidarity and hope.
This year’s Gainesville walk raised more than $2,000 in donations, with the Keith Family recognized as the top fundraising team. Dollars raised through the Team Hope Walk help provide vital resources such as educational events, support groups, and social workers so that families navigating HD are never alone. They also sustain HDSA Centers of Excellence, including the University of Florida HDSA Center of Excellence at the Fixel Institute, which provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care while fostering groundbreaking research and expanding access to services for HD families. In addition, funds fuel national advocacy efforts to support the HD community in Washington.
Dr. Nikolaus McFarland, director of the UF HDSA Center of Excellence and a clinical professor of neurology, expressed his gratitude to those who made the day possible:
“Thank you to all who participated in the Gainesville Team Hope Walk. Special thanks also to our staff and volunteers who worked hard to make this event a success. We would like to grow this community event and hope to see you soon at our next HD walk (and other events in Florida). Every step counts and brings us closer to new treatments and an eventual cure!”
The Fixel Institute is proud to stand with the HD community, celebrating progress made and the hope that fuels every step forward.
