Services that provide a lifeline for families afflicted by a crippling neurological condition are under threat due to lack of funding.
The Scottish Huntington’s Association says that unless it can raise £300,000 it will no longer be able to provide the level of support it offers across the country.
Huntington’s causes a critical area of the brain to atrophy and eventually die, leading to a gradual decline in muscle function.
Explaining the importance of the appeal being launched today, the charity’s Tayside project manager Paula McFadyen said, “We provide emotional support and specialist input to help people deal with the challenges of living with the disease.
“Over time, we end up building very close relationships with clients and their families. It’s a privilege to be able to help people face up to, and overcome, the small-scale and large-scale problems associated with HD.”
She added, “There’s still a lack of knowledge and understanding, even among medical professionals, about what Huntington’s disease is and how it affects people who have it and a vital part of our role involves educating people in organisations across Tayside about the symptoms and management of the condition.
“If we’re unable to maintain the current level of support I’m certain families will find it even harder to live with the condition, so it’s vital that local people do their bit to help by donating to the FiftyFifty campaign.”
The name of the campaign reflects the fact that children who have a parent with Huntington’s have a 50% chance of inheriting the gene.For more information visit www.hdscotland.org