Antrim Civic Centre, Mossley Mill and Ballyclare Town Hall will be lit up blue on Monday (5 October) to mark Huntington’s Disease (HD) Awareness Week.
It runs from 5-9 October and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council will be supporting the initiative.
The Light It Up for HD campaign is about increasing awareness for Huntington’s Disease in Northern Ireland. Huntington’s patients often feel isolated and afraid to admit they have the disease to their friends and family.
It’s described as a ‘neuro-degenerative’ disorder as it damages the neurons in the brain. As it is a genetic disease, every child of an affected parent has a 50% chance of inheriting the gene. A simple blood test will determine if a person carries the HD gene, and if tested positive this person will develop the disease at some point in their life. HD affects men and women equally and usually between the ages of 30-50 years old.
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Jim Montgomery emphasised the importance of raising awareness.
“It is important that we help raise awareness of Huntington’s Disease and reduce the stigma attached to it. With no known cure we must support this campaign and get people talking about HD. I am delighted that the council is offering their support by lighting up our civic buildings,” he added.
For more information visit, http://www.hdani.org.uk. Check out Huntington’s Disease Association Northern Ireland Facebook page by visiting @HDANorthernIreland.