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About
Our Mission
To provide financial relief, emotional support, and joyful experiences to families affected by Huntington’s Disease and Juvenile HD — one family and one story at a time.
Our Vision
A world where no HD family fights alone, and where every Champion is empowered to live with hope, dignity, and purpose.
Breanna was — and still is — the heart behind everything we do.
Champions for HD: Our Story 💜
Champions for HD was founded by singer/songwriter and Huntington’s Disease advocate, Shelby Lentz, whose life was forever changed when HD was diagnosed across three generations of her family — including her grandfather, father, and younger sister, Breanna.
In 2016, Shelby co-wrote a song called “Champion” with friend and fellow artist Jessica Kellie Adams. Inspired by the Rocky Balboa films, the lyrics were written to honor strength in the face of adversity — but after receiving her own positive HD diagnosis at age 20, the meaning of the word Champion took on a whole new life.
That song became the heartbeat behind this nonprofit.
It became an anthem.
It became a mission.
"When my sister was diagnosed with Juvenile Huntington’s Disease, and my dad could no longer work, we didn’t know where to turn. That’s why I created Champions for HD — to support families like ours."
— Shelby Lentz, Founder
🧬 What is HD?
Huntington’s Disease is a rare, hereditary brain disorder — one that gradually steals a person’s ability to walk, talk, think, eat, and live independently. It’s often described as a combination of Parkinson’s, ALS, and Alzheimer’s.
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It typically begins between ages 30–50
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Symptoms worsen over 15–20 years
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Each child of an affected parent has a 50% chance of inheriting it
Juvenile HD (JHD) is an even rarer, faster-progressing form that strikes children under 20. Shelby’s sister Breanna was diagnosed at age 12. By 14, she had lost her ability to walk, talk, and eat — and tragically passed away that same year.
Her story lives on through a children’s book written in her honor, “Brave Breanna,” and through the love that powers this mission every day.
💡 What We Do
Champions for HD exists to bring hope, visibility, and tangible support to HD families. We focus on:
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💸 Emergency financial relief for basic needs, medical bills, and disability delays
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💜 “Moments That Matter” – our version of Make-A-Wish, granting meaningful experiences for HD families
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📣 Raising awareness about Huntington’s and Juvenile HD through storytelling, music, media, and events
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🧬 Funding promising local HD research happening in Michigan
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🎤 Hosting annual benefit concerts and community-driven fundraisers
To date, we’ve raised over $100,000 and helped more than 90 families across the country.
🥊 Why We Keep Fighting
This nonprofit started as a personal fight. But now, it’s a community movement. A song. A story. A little sister’s legacy. A daughter’s diagnosis. And a growing army of Champions showing up every day — one voice and one story at a time.
We’re here for the families just like ours.
And we won’t stop.
🥊 Want to learn more about our story?
Check out our [Press & Media] page, watch [Shelby’s story], or listen to “Champion” — the song that started it all.