Monday, June 8, 2009

San Diego Charger's Shoot to Cure Huntington's Disease

Huntington's Disease 

Huntington's disease, also known as HD, is the most common cause of the pattern of repetitive abnormal movements called chorea. If you have ever sat next to a person with HD you would notice that they have no voluntary muscle command and at times spasm out of control. The disorder was named after the American physician George Huntington who described it in 1872. HD prevalence, per country, is up to 7 people in 100,000, but can be much higher in some places. Physical symptoms of the disorder can begin at any age. It is not common for it to occur before the age of 20. In 1993 genetic testing was made possible with the discovery of a single causal gene, the first non-sex-linked dominant disease gene to be found. Consequently counseling for HD had to be developed and became a model for other genetically dominant disorders. The test can be performed before the onset of symptoms, at any age—even pre-birth, which has raised various ethical issues and heated debates.


Can't hate on the helmet.


Darren Sproles was a participant in the contest.


Charger Park


LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, Brandon Siler

I was able to attend this event at Charger Park, which for those you who have never been,it is a full sized facility the Chargers practice on. It is a turf stadium in Murphy Canyon, off the 15 freeway in San Diego, 2 miles from where they play during the season. A free-throw contest with LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, Darren Sproles, and a whole group of other Charger's players  resulted in a huge collection of charity money. There was one point in the night where 3 different groups of people were bidding on a dinner for 4 with LT and Gates. One lady won, and right after she celebrated her win, the auction MC said that if the 2 other contestants could match her $6,000 bid, LT and Gates would do 2 more dinners for that price. So in 5 minutes they raised $18,000 which was amazing. On top of that there was more  money from donations, as well as an additional auction where players like Chris Chambers, and Jacques Cesar, were selected at $500 a piece to participate on a designated free-throw team. A mock draft, for the people already paying $950 just to be at the auction. 100% of the proceeds went to charity. It was a very informative night. Darren Sproles is the man. They raised an unbelievable $200,000 total.

Stay Charitable Gents.

J.E. Albert

1 comments:

Anonymous said...

You made a few good points there. I did a search on the subject and hardly found any specific details on other websites, but then great to be here, seriously, appreciate that.

- Lucas