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Health & Fitness

Padres Ron Fowler Honored by local HDSA, Improves Lives of Less Fortunate

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Chapter of Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) will hold its 13th annual Qualcomm Celebration of Hope Gala on Saturday, October 12, 2013, at the Omni San Diego. The event, presented by the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, raises funds to serve ongoing research and education toward finding a cure, and provide support services for those living with Huntington’s disease (HD).

HD is a fatal genetic brain disorder that causes the deterioration of all mental and physical capabilities, and affects thousands of Americans each year. As awareness about this debilitating disease remains low, a goal of the Celebration of Hope Gala is to honor those living with HD, as well as those who are making a difference in the mission to find a cure.

This year, the HDSA recognizes Ron Fowler with its highest honor, the Guthrie Award, for his continuing, generous support in the fight against HD for nearly 15 years. Fowler is executive chairman for the ownership group of the San Diego Padres, and chairman and CEO of Liquid Investments, Inc., a wholesale beverage distribution company. The award pays tribute to legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie, who died from HD, and his wife Marjorie, who led the way in building a national HD community and driving the search for a cure. Fowler has been a long-time contributor to community causes and has taken a leadership role the on boards of local organizations and institutions.

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Mark Grant, former major league baseball player, now on the broadcast team for the Padres, will be master of ceremonies. A key part of the program, moderated by Grant, will be an interactive discussion panel with professional athletes from the San Diego Chargers and Padres, there to discuss the guidance and advice provided by their parents, coaches and mentors who helped them fulfill their dream and reach the pinnacle of their profession. Among the panelists are Dwight Freeney and Manti Te’o of the Chargers.

Freeney, a seven-time Pro-Bowl player comes to San Diego with a rich tradition of community service. Each offseason, he hosts a youth football camp to encourage athletic development and teach personal life skills. Chargers rookie Manti Te’o is also continuing his charitable efforts, now in the San Diego community. In high school, he volunteered with the Shriners Hospital, Head Start preschool program, Hawai'i Food Bank and Special Olympics, before finishing his career at Notre Dame University, as one of the most decorated defensive players in NCAA history.

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Each year the Celebration of Hope Gala attracts more than 500 influential and caring San Diegans for an evening filled with exciting live and silent auction opportunities, cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres, a dinner program and dancing. In 2012, the Celebration of Hope Gala raised $155,000 for HD research and awareness.

The Gala will be held beginning at 6 p.m. at the Omni San Diego Hotel, 675 L Street, San Diego. Tickets can be purchased on HDSA-San Diego’s website at www.HDSASanDiego.org for $300 per person, with proceeds benefiting the HDSA Center of Excellence in San Diego while also helping fund research for education, awareness, support and an eventual cure for those living with HD. Event sponsorships and other donation opportunities are also available.

Key sponsors include Qualcomm, Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, AWM Global Advisors, Lundbeck, and UnionBank. For more information about HD, the Celebration of Hope Gala and how you can help, visit www.HDSASanDiego.org or call 619-225-2255.

 

About Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA)

HDSA is the Nation’s largest 501(C)(3) non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to providing help for today and hope for tomorrow for everyone affected by Huntington’s disease. HDSA is committed to providing support for at-risk individuals and caregivers, public advocacy, and the search for treatments and a cure of this devastating disease. HDSA San Diego, one of 54 chapters and affiliates of HDSA, serves San Diego and Imperial Counties through its network of volunteers. HDSA San Diego sponsors a monthly support group for affected families, raises money for the care and cure of HD, helps support a Center of Excellence for Family Services, publishes an annual report, and provides a range of other services for the HD community.

For more information about ways you can help HDSA please visit www.HDSASanDiego.org.

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