The Hope for Huntington's fund, is dedicated to the goal of finding a cure for Huntington's.

Huntington's Disease is an inherited disorder which causes degeneration of neuropsychiatric functions. Affecting both body and mind, HD usually strikes persons between the ages of 35 and 50, although onset may occur anywhere between early childhood to old age. The disease causes emotional, cognitive, and motor disturbances.

There are 30,000 people in the U. S. who have Huntington's Disease. About one person in every 10,000 has the disease, and at least 150,000 have a 50% chance of developing it someday. Thousands more are "at risk" and live with the knowledge that they, too, might develop HD.

We are the Smrtnik/Fiore Family. We are a family from Highwood, Illinois who are battling Huntington’s Disease. Mark Smrtnik is twenty-nine years old. He was diagnosed with HD at the age of twenty-one. His sister, Trisha Smrtnik is thirty-two years old. After finding out about her brother’s diagnosis, she had to discover what her fate would be. She had genetic testing done in 2002 and found that she does have the defective HD gene, which means that she too, will eventually get the disease. Their father, David Smrtnik, died at the age of 45 after battling HD for 15 years. Their two uncles also succumbed to it within the last 6 years.

In the wake of adversity, our family has found the strength to defy the odds. We will not sit back and watch our lives be destroyed. That is the reason for our fundraising efforts. Through the leadership of our mother and stepfather, as well as the support of our family and friends, we have been able to raise nearly $1,000,000.00 in the last 5 years. That money goes to fund research to help find a cure or treatment for HD.

We would also like to thank the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, under the leadership and direction of Barbara Boyle and her wonderful staff. They have been very helpful to us and our goal of finding a cure for HD. We also want to personally thank all of the researchers, scientists and doctors whose valuable contributions have brought us closer to the goal of everyone involved with Hope for Huntington’s - a cure!! We would not be where we are without you!

Thank you so much for you interest in our cause. We hope you know that even though we may have Huntington’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease will never have us!

If you would like more information about the different ways to give to the HDSA, please contact:

Huntington's Disease Society of America
158 West 29th Street, 7th Floor
New York, New York 10001-5300
(212) 242-1968 or (800) 345-HDSA

The Hope for Huntington's fund, established by the Smrtnik/Fiore family, is dedicated to the goal of finding a cure for Huntington's. If you would like to make a gift in their name, please state so at the time you arrange for your donation. Your commitment and support is appreciated by all of us.