Paddle for a Cure.
That’s the message Saturday as the Huntington’s Disease Society of America’s Minnesota Chapter comes together for a pickleball tournament at Legacy Pickleball Club in Woodbury.
The disease and cause is personal for Noreen Hoft, vice president of the chapter’s Board of Directors.
“My husband is a person who has Huntington’s disease,” Hoft said. “It being genetic, you have a 50/50 chance of inheriting it from a parent. In his case, it was his mother.”
There are over 41,000 symptomatic Americans and more than 200,000 at-risk of inheriting Huntington’s disease according to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. The symptoms are often described as having ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzehimer’s simultaneously.
“It’s a rare disease,” Hoft said. “It’s a brain disease, fatal, and there’s no treatment or cure. It effects someone’s physical, mental, and emotional capabilities all at the same time. It’s really a tragic disease.”
Last year the organization held a pickleball tournament with about 20 participants.
85 people were signed-up as of Thursday morning for Saturday’s event.
“We are going to do a couple of fun activities in addition to having competitive brackets assigned by skill level,” added Hoft. “We’re hoping to be able to fill each of those brackets, have some games, give out prizes, and raise money for our foundation and organization.
One component of Saturday’s tournament includes families sharing their stories and experiences with Huntington’s disease.
“I think if people hear our stories, they’ll understand the need for help that we have in our community in terms of social workers and people who just volunteer to help raise these funds. It is gut wrenching and heartbreaking to hear what these symptoms do to individuals and their families.
There can be not only the loss of cognition, but an emotional rollercoaster that includes all kinds of emotions. It can be very difficult.”
Check-in for Saturday’s Paddle for a Cure tournament begins at 8 a.m. for the advanced/intermediate bracket and 10 a.m. for the beginner bracket.