Why raising money for Huntington’s disease is so important – A thank you to my sister, Emma
In this blog, we hear from guest author, Sarah Katie Fitton, as she discusses why raising money for the Huntington’s Disease Association is so important and what it means to her family.
Sarah has written this piece in honour of her sister, Emma Fitton’s, recent Birthday fundraiser to say “Thank You!” Emma’s original goal was £150 which she reached quickly, she then changed her target to £400 then £800 before finally reaching £1145! Congratulations to Emma and the whole family, what a great achievement.
“Hi so my names Sarah Katie Fitton I am 29 years old and I live in the Lake District.
I’m doing a blog so everyone knows how much this charity means to me and my family.
My mum was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease 14 years ago and since that day our family’s lives changed forever! We were all unaware of this disease even existing in the family until they tested mum. Watching mum go from her happy bubbly self to having this disease take over her life has broken us all! Five years after my mum was diagnosed, her brother, our uncle, also had genetic testing and tested positive, this also broke our hearts!
Karen Fitton, Emma, Amy and Sarah’s mum
"I choose to be mums full-time carer which I have been doing for ten years now! I did this for many reasons, a few being that I wanted as much time as I could with mum and another I never wanted anyone she didn’t know looking after her but I’m more than aware of amazing carers out there, it’s just personal choice I think. I just wanted to treasure all my time with her which has been amazing but then on the downside, I have also watched her deteriorate over these years and Huntington’s take full control of her.
There are so many families in this position and the journey people with Huntington’s disease in the family have ahead of them is scary. I am one of three sisters, we all have the opportunity to take the genetic test to see if we have the gene, which hangs over us, there is a 50/50 chance! At the moment, none of us like the idea of being tested but I know 100% we would have been tested by now if there was a cure or something to put this disease at bay.
Huntington’s disease affects so many families and the Huntington’s Disease Association is a charity that’s not talked about enough! Raising money and doing things to help push to find a cure or to put this at bay isn’t just for our family but all the others out there too!”
From left to right – Emma Fitton, Amy Ostle, Karen Fitton and Sarah Fitton
If you’d like to support the Huntington’s Disease Association during COVID-19, take a look at our virtual fundraising ideas and get involved today! If fundraising isn’t up your street, you can donate here.
If you’re affected by Huntington’s disease and need support or advice, please contact us on 0151 331 5444 or email info@hda.org.uk.
In this blog, we hear from guest author, Sarah Katie Fitton, as she discusses why raising money for the Huntington’s Disease Association is so important and what it means to her family.
Sarah has written this piece in honour of her sister, Emma Fitton’s, recent Birthday fundraiser to say “Thank You!” Emma’s original goal was £150 which she reached quickly, she then changed her target to £400 then £800 before finally reaching £1145! Congratulations to Emma and the whole family, what a great achievement.
“Hi so my names Sarah Katie Fitton I am 29 years old and I live in the Lake District.
I’m doing a blog so everyone knows how much this charity means to me and my family.
My mum was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease 14 years ago and since that day our family’s lives changed forever! We were all unaware of this disease even existing in the family until they tested mum. Watching mum go from her happy bubbly self to having this disease take over her life has broken us all! Five years after my mum was diagnosed, her brother, our uncle, also had genetic testing and tested positive, this also broke our hearts!
Karen Fitton, Emma, Amy and Sarah’s mum
"I choose to be mums full-time carer which I have been doing for ten years now! I did this for many reasons, a few being that I wanted as much time as I could with mum and another I never wanted anyone she didn’t know looking after her but I’m more than aware of amazing carers out there, it’s just personal choice I think. I just wanted to treasure all my time with her which has been amazing but then on the downside, I have also watched her deteriorate over these years and Huntington’s take full control of her.
There are so many families in this position and the journey people with Huntington’s disease in the family have ahead of them is scary. I am one of three sisters, we all have the opportunity to take the genetic test to see if we have the gene, which hangs over us, there is a 50/50 chance! At the moment, none of us like the idea of being tested but I know 100% we would have been tested by now if there was a cure or something to put this disease at bay.
Huntington’s disease affects so many families and the Huntington’s Disease Association is a charity that’s not talked about enough! Raising money and doing things to help push to find a cure or to put this at bay isn’t just for our family but all the others out there too!”
From left to right – Emma Fitton, Amy Ostle, Karen Fitton and Sarah Fitton
If you’d like to support the Huntington’s Disease Association during COVID-19, take a look at our virtual fundraising ideas and get involved today! If fundraising isn’t up your street, you can donate here.
If you’re affected by Huntington’s disease and need support or advice, please contact us on 0151 331 5444 or email info@hda.org.uk.