Homepage News & Updates Archives 25th Annual National Convention

800 Gather in Raleigh North Carolina to Celebrate the

25th Annual HDSA National Convention

 

 

On Sunday morning HDSA CEO Louise Vetter formally closed the 25th Annual National Convention with the hope that all of the 760+ attendees would take back to their communities the valuable information they had acquired, and maintain the new relationships they had developed—and that they would begin to make plans to reconvene in Bloomington, MN next June 24-26.

 

Forty-four workshops, spanning 11 educational tracks were offered during the three-day event, in addition to the Opening Cermony featuring an inspirational and motivational address by Jeff Carroll, PhD candidate from the University of British Columbia who works on HD Research and is a gene-positive member of an HD Family; the Friday morning Focus on the Family Forum which focused on how to speak to young people about HD; and the Research Forum, which started with a look back at the past 25 years of scientific innovation, continued with a presentation on the current state of HD research, and concluded at a look at the dozens of potential therapies moving towards clinical trials.

 

As always, Friday night’s NYA Talent show was a galvanizing moment for those in attendance, as some of the future HDSA leaders shared their talent and raised funds to ensure that other NYA members will be able to attend next year’s convention.

 

Saturday night’s Gala was a celebration of the past 25 years of conventions, a remembrance of those no longer in attendance and a joyous celebration of the HD community.

 

Katie Moser was named HDSA Person of the Year. Click here for photos of national award winners.

 

We will be posting complete video coverage of the Opening Ceremony, the Focus on the Family Care Forum and the Research Forum in the next two weeks.

 

Powerpoint presentations from most of the workshops will be available at the same time.

 

Tell us what you thought of the 2010 Convention
www.hdsa.org/2010conventionevaluation

 


Marie Nemec and Charlotte Reicks arrive on Thursday, having passed the $500,000 mark on their 12 Rides for a Cure

 

Jeff Carroll, HD Research and HD Family Member Moved Everyone at

the Opening Ceremony

Janet Williams, Cheryl Sullivan, Jennifer Moore and Lauren Holder presented the Focus on the Family Care Forum

 

As always, Friday Night's NYA Talent Show drew a capacity crowd and raised thousands of dollars to send NYA members to next year's convention

 

This year the HD Quilt was featured in the Meditation Room, a gathering place for families at the Convention

 

Bidding at the NYA Silent Auction was fast and furious. By the end of the Convention, over $10,000 had been raised for NYA scholarships.

 

The Executive Board of the North Carolina Chapter were recognized for their efforts that made the 25th Annual Convention a big success

 

The 25th Anniversary was commemorated in word, deed and cake

 

25 Candles were lit in memory of those who were no longer able to attend the Convention, and those who continue the fight to end HD

 

New HDSA Board of Trustees Chair Don Barr and JHD Award (given in honor of Kelly Miller) recipient Meghan Sullivan share a dance

 

The Dancing went on until 1AM