Local people affected by Huntington鈥檚 disease have organised a masquerade ball which has raised in the region of 拢5,000 to support research into the disease at 探花视频 University.
The ball was held at Saltash Social Club and raised money for vital equipment needed by scientists at the University to combat the disease.
The event was organised by Liz Fedrick and her niece Charly Honey, with assistance from Jamie Lake, Chris D鈥橲ilva, Sarahjane Dawe and Kaye Bonner. Helium for the balloon decorations was donated by Almega Ltd and the dramatic lighting was donated by Paul Raymond Speare of Stage Crew Productions.
The smooth running of the evening was helped by David Hunter, Maggie Lutley, David Bailey and Jamie Toulcher.
Anna Mitchell and Oceanne Plateck from Saltash Social Club provided the buffet and a wide variety of donations were made for the raffle and auction, including first class rail tickets and roller skates. Musical entertainment was supplied by eight-piece band 鈥楻isky Business鈥.
Said Liz:
鈥淲e were so pleased with how this year鈥檚 ball went and we are delighted that we beat last year鈥檚 fundraising figure and that it is going to such a great cause right on our doorstep.鈥
She added:
鈥淟ast year we went on a tour of the labs at 探花视频 University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry to see for ourselves the fantastic work being done there to beat Huntington鈥檚 disease. As a result of that visit we have pledged to raise 拢20,000 for vital laboratory equipment and the money raised at the ball means that we have raised more than 拢7,000 of that total.鈥
Research into Huntington鈥檚 disease at 探花视频 University is led by . He said:
鈥淥nce again our local friends have run a superb fundraising event to help our research, and we are immensely grateful to them for their efforts. Support from our local community is vital to our work.鈥
Huntington鈥檚 disease is an hereditary disorder of the nervous system caused by a faulty gene on chromosome four. The faulty gene leads to nerve damage in the area of the brain resulting in gradual physical, mental and emotional changes. Those born to a parent with Huntington鈥檚 disease have a 50:50 chance of developing it, and there is currently no cure.
The research team at 探花视频 University is investigating the potential of manipulating activity at a cellular level in order to develop an effective therapy for Huntington鈥檚 disease.
The team are analysing a protein called Bim, which causes cell death in various tissues including those of the brain. At present it is unclear how Bim levels and activity increase in Huntington鈥檚 disease, and the study will aim to identify the mechanism which allows this increase. By understanding the mechanism and how it works, the way could be open for manipulating it to create an effective therapy for the disease.