Search Results

Our Services We are here for you . In this fight against HD, no one fights alone . Financial Aid Assisting families in legal, medical, and other financial burdens due to HD. Request Assistance Research Funding Aiding both projects and research that help further potential medication, and cures for HD. Nominate Research Raising our voices Speaking to representatives to further HD awareness and bills that benefit families and patients. DONATE NOW

Connect on YouTube

Meet the Board SHELBY LENTZ ( SMITHERS ) Founder/President shelby@championsforhd.org Shelby is a graduate from Western Michigan University with a degree in Public Realtions and a minor in Event Management. She made the decision to get tested for HD after her grandfather, father, and 13-year-old sister were diagnosed between 2013 and 2016. She was the most recent to be diagnosed in 2017, but currently has no symptoms. A singer/songwriter, she spent two years at Belmont University in Nashville, TN, before coming home to finish her degree at home after being diagnosed. Her song, "Champion" inspired by Rocky Balboa influenced Champions for HD. She continues to share her story through her nonprofit & music. This June, she married her husband, Trey Smithers. Shelby's most recent album, "Teenage Diary" was release July 2023 and is streaming everywhere worldwide. TRACY DERHAMMER Secretary tracy@championsforhd.org Tracy, Shelby's mother, has been an active participant in HD fundraisers ever since her daughter's diagnosis. She has been working at Paw Paw Public Schools for 13 years as both a teacher and principal. She is a graduate from Western Michigan University with a Master's degree. DELANEY LENTZ Marketing Specialist delaney@championsforhd.org Delaney is a recent gradate from the University of Alabama, with a degree in Marketing. Currently, she is pursuing a master's degree in data analytics at Loyola University. She is Shelby's sister, and is at-risk for inheriting Huntington's Disease. She has seen first hand the trauma of HD as four of her family members currently have the disease. Delaney also has a passion for the arts and has been singing and performing for years with her sister, in musicals, and at local Miss America pageants. At Alabama, she was in HallyUA, a dance and social club centered around Kpop at the University of Alabama. DAN BALLOCK Co-Founder; Vice Pesident dan@championsforhd.org Dan owns South Haven Brewpub. He and Shelby met in 2015 when he began hiring her to perform at the brewpub. After her diagnosis, Dan came to her with the idea to start a nonprofit, and has since played an integral role in supporting and funding CHD. He has held multiple benefits with her at the brewpub since then. When he is not working at the brewpub, he works as a nurse. BROOKE PICKLES Community Outreach, Social Media Ambassador Leader brooke@championsforhd.org Brooke is a graduate from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor of Science and Pre-Medicine concentration. She recently started competing in the Miss America Organization and has absolutely loved every self-growth experience it has provided her so far. She is excited to be able to show you all her passion about volunteerism and the life changing opportunities it can bring to not only yourself but those around you. Although she has no personal connection to Huntington’s Disease, she has learned so much from Shelby’s story and believes that Shelby’s passion towards helping anyone with a connection to HD really shines. Brooke knows that being a volunteer can be so much more than what many think they can do, how they can help, or what area of volunteering relates to them. Brooke wants to help show others there are many ways to be a volunteer and to assist you in finding your passion with volunteerism. LISA WALTER Treasurer lisa@championsforhd.org Coming from a family deeply impacted by HD Lisa understands the physical, emotional and financial impacts the disease has on families and loved ones. As Shelby and Delaney's aunt, she became familiar with the great work Champions for HD does helping families impacted by this disease and wanted to be a part of it. Lisa is a CPA working in corporate finance for over 25 years and a graduate of Western Michigan University. In her spare time she loves spending time with family, being outdoors and horseback riding.

Community Resources Australian Huntington’s Disease Association An Australian advocacy organization dedicated to providing the best quality of life for those with HD, their families, and carers through advocacy, support, and education; this branch serves Southern Australia. ​ Address: AHDA (SA/NT) Inc., PO Box 580, North Adelaide, SA 5006 Phone: (08) 8352 2202 Email: mail@huntingtonssa.org ​ ​ Australia – Huntington’s NSW An Australian advocacy organization dedicated to providing the best quality of life for those with HD, their families, and carers through advocacy, support, and education; this branch serves New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. ​ Address: Huntington’s New South Wales, PO Box 178, West Ryde, NSW, 1685, Australia Phone: (61) 2 9874 9777 Email: info@huntingtonsnsw.org.au ​ ​ Australia – Huntington’s Queensland An Australian advocacy organization dedicated to providing the best quality of life for those with HD, their families, and carers through advocacy, support, and education; this branch serves Queensland. Address: PO Box 635, 385 Ipswich Road, ANNERLEY, Q. 4103, Australia Phone: (07)3391 8833 Email: admin@huntingtonsqld.org.au ​ ​ Australia – Huntington’s Victoria An Australian advocacy organization dedicated to providing the best quality of life for those with HD, their families, and carers through advocacy, support, and education; this branch serves Victoria. ​ Address: PO Box 2112, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122 Phone: 03 9818 6333 Email: info@huntingtonsvic.org.au ​ ​ Australia – Huntington’s Western Australia An Australian advocacy organization dedicated to providing the best quality of life for those with HD, their families, and carers through advocacy, support, and education; this branch serves Western Australia. ​ Address: Western Australia. The Niche 11 Aberdare Road Nedlands WA 6009 Phone: (08)9346 7599 Email: admin@huntingtonswa.org.au ​ ​ CHDI A non-profit biomedical research organization whose mission is to develop drugs that will slow the progression of HD and provide clinical benefit to patients. ​ Address: 350 Seventh Ave, Suite 200, New York, NY 10001 Phone: 212-239-9300 Email: info@chdifoundation.org ​ ​ EHDN A network that facilitates HD studies and trials and connects researchers and families impacted by HD throughout Europe.The website provides information on current trials and a list of current study sites. ​ Address: Oberer Eselsberg 45/1, D-89081 Ulm, Germany Email: info@euro-hd.net ​ ​ Gene Veritas A blog written by an individual at risk for Huntington’s Disease that shares news articles and personal experiences. ​ ​ HD Buzz An internet portal that provides high-quality HD research news to the global community; written by clinicians and scientists in understandable language. ​ ​ HD-CARE A support group that seeks to advance HD research and clinical care at the University of California Irvine. The website provides information about the clinic, clinical trials, and area resources. ​ Address: P.O. Box 8036 Newport Beach, CA 92658 Phone: 949-824-3061 Email: HDCareorg@gmail.com ​ ​ HD Drug Works (HDDW) An organization whose primary focus is to provide information about the present treatment options available for HD. ​ Address: 17171 Bothell Way, PMB 148, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155 Phone: 1-866-280-3799 or 1-206-362-0142 ​ ​ HD Reach A non-profit organization that provides access to care, education, and social assistance for those affected by Huntington’s Disease in North Carolina. The HD Reach blog provides recent news and resources. ​ Address: 1004 Dresser Court, Suit 107 Raleigh, NC 27609-7325 Phone: 919-803-8128 Email: info@hdreach.org ​ ​ HDYO An international non-profit organization designed to provided support for young people impacted by HD ​ Email: info@hdyo.org ​ Help 4 HD An organization dedicated to educating the world about HD through a multimedia platform, supporting the HD community, and promoting clinical trials for HD and JHD. ​ Address: Help 4 HD International, 5050 Laguna Blvd. 112 543, Elk Grove, CA 95758 Phone: 916-698-0462 Email: Katie@Help4HD.org ​ ​ Hereditary Disease Foundation (HDF) A fundraising and research institution that aims to cure genetic illness by supporting biomedical research. The website shares recent news and developments regarding HD. ​ Address: 3960 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY 10032 Phone: 212-928-2121 Email: cures@hdfoundation.org ​ ​ Huntington’s Disease Foundation (HDFI) Huntington’s Disease Foundation (HDFI) was founded by three individuals who are passionate in finding a cure for HD and to assist those families who are struggling daily with this horrible disease. ​ Address: P.O. Box 912, Salado, Texas ​ ​ HD Support & Care Network A non-profit organization that helps HD families find resources for support and care. ​ Address: 436 Playa Blanca St, Santa Maria, CA 93455 Phone: 805-354-0708 Fax: 805-934-9614 Email: melissa@hdscn.org ​ ​ Huntington’s Disease Association, Ireland An Irish charity organization that supports those affected by HD and provides information and advice to professionals who support HD families. ​ Address: Carmichael Centre, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7, IRELAND. Phone: +353 (0) 1 872 1303 Email: info@huntingtons.ie ​ ​ Huntington’s Disease Lighthouse Families An educational website which presents the latest findings in HD research and shares stories of those impacted by HD. ​ Email: marsha@hdlighthouse.org ​ ​ Huntington’s Disease Society of America A non-profit organization that provides help, education, and outreach to HD families and health care professionals across the United States. ​ Address: 505 Eight Avenue Suite 902 New York, NY 10018 Phone: 212-242-1968 (national office) Email: hdsainfo@hdsa.org ​ ​ Huntington Society of Canada A non-profit organization located in Canada that raises funds to support medical research on HD and to deliver counseling services to those affected by HD. ​ Address: 151 Frederick Street, Suite 400 Kitchener, Ontario Canada N2H 2M2 Phone: (519) 749-7063 (local) and (800) 998-7398 (toll free) Email: info@huntingtonsociety.ca ​ ​ International Huntington Association A federation of voluntary health agencies that share a common concern for HD individuals and families. IHA provides information and a map of local organizations. ​ Email: iha@huntington-assoc.com ​ ​ Movement Disorders Society A group of medical professionals and researchers that provide information about HD and other neurodegenerative and movement disorders. ​ Address: 555 East Wells Street, Suite 1100 Milwaukee, WI 53202-3823 Phone: 414-276-2145 Email: info@movementdisorders.org ​ ​ NINDS A government-sponsored research institution providing basic information about HD and other neurological disorders. ​ Address: NIH Neurological Institute P.O. Box 5801 Bethesda, MD 20824 Phone: (800) 352-9424 or (301) 496-5751 ​ ​ NJ CURE HD A statewide organization, comprised of passionate individuals, united as a community, in the fight against HD. ​ Address: P.O. Box 45, Metuchen, NJ 08840 Phone: 732-887-3751 Email: njcurehd@gmail.com ​ ​ Philly Cure HD Philly Cure HD offers support to the local Huntington’s disease community, educates the greater community about HD and the impact this neurodegenerative genetic disorder has on individuals and families, and supports HD research. ​ Address: P.O. Box 4045, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Phone: 215-219-3521 Email: info@phillycurehd.org ​ ​ Stanford HOPES A student-run project at Stanford University dedicated to making scientific information about HD more accessible to the public. ​ ​ We have a Face An advocacy group dedicated to broadening global awareness of HD and JHD.

6th Annual Benefit Concert Champion for HD & Champion Caregiver 2023 Nomination We would prefer this individual be a resident of the United States, so we can possibly recognize the winner in person, but you are welcome to nominate anyone! Nominee's First Name Nominee's Last Name Why should this person be out next Champion for HD? Do you know how we can contact them? Or where they are from? Their social media: Nominate Thank you to our Sponsors:

We Want to Hear YOUR Story Our mission is to use our voices to raise awareness for Huntington's Disease, and we can do this by sharing our story. We want to allow everyone in the HD community, who feel comfortable enough, this opportunity through Champions for HD. We would love to hear both the struggles and triumphs of HD , how it has impacted your life, and/or how you are making a difference. Whether you are living with HD yourself, at-risk, a caregiver, friend, family, doctor, specialist, etc. this is a safe platform for you to share both your good times and bad. By submitting, your story will be shared on Champions for HD media to reach others in the community. If you would like to remain anonymous, please let us know. Thank you for your bravery.

Champion Donation Stories

We are proud to have raised over $100,000 for Huntington's research and families. $7,000 Over $45,000 To local research in Hopkins, Michigan and Sioux Falls, South Dakota for The Shepard's Gift: Gm1 for HD To more than 80 families facing unemployment, medical and housing bills, awaiting disability for HD, etc.

Downloads Champions for HD Brochure PDF

HD Awareness Month at South Haven Brewpub December 9, 2023 South Haven Brewpub | 5-7 pm Join us for food, drinks, Christmas trivia, photos with Santa, an Ugly Christmas sweater contest and more! *No tickets required for entry RSVP On Facebook