17th Annual HDSA National Convention

By: Dr. Steve Clingerman


From the Summer 2002 issue of Hopes & Dreams, newsletter of the Illinois Chapter, Huntington's Disease Society of America.

The 17th Annual National Convention of the HDSA met at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus, Ohio, May 31-June 2, 2002. Among the 600 attendees were several of our Illinois HDSA families and five of our IHDSA board members. The conference is an outstanding time to learn and share information about the latest HD advances in care and research, while seeing old friends and making new ones.

Dr. Jane Paulson ?chaired? the convention committee and put together an excellent program focused on HD care, education and research. Convention highlights included a panel discussion (HD patient, caregiver, and an at risk person), a research forum of top HD scientists, several sessions of workshops and roundtables, and of course, the Generation 2000 Gala.

The research program included Dr. Sawyer Steffan discussing the latest molecular-level genetic research and Dr. Hersch speaking on advances in small animal research. Dr. Kieburtz and Dr. Chris Ross talked about the current state and future or human clinical studies.

Dr. Paulson discussed her PREDICT HD study (persons already having been tested) and Dr. Shoulson talked about his PHAROS study (at risk, untested, asymptomatic persons). The commitment of our researchers to the HD community is profound and touching and as usual the audience proved themselves to be knowledgeable, ready for action and results, and able to ask important and penetrating questions.

Several breakout sessions of workshops and roundtables were provided across the three days of the conference and included twenty-three separate content areas! Presentations included sessions on being at-risk, care giving, caregivers needs, end-stage issues, etc.

The Gala was a wonderful evening that included dinner, dancing, awards, and a silent auction. As you can see, the national conference is ?not to be missed.? Mark June 6-8, 2003 on your calendars for the national conference in Houston, Texas.


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Created: Sept. 14, 2002
Last updated: Sept. 14, 2010