HelpCureHD Foundation
Huntington's disease is a hereditary brain disorder that currently has no known cure. In the United States alone, over 30,000 people are suffering from Huntington's disease. The condition leads to the deterioration of nerve cells, making everyday tasks increasingly difficult—walking becomes a challenge, cognitive functions decline, and individuals may ultimately be unable to care for themselves.
HelpCureHD was founded by Joe Smith, the son of Lee Smith, a mother who was diagnosed with Huntington's disease in 2012 and passed away in 2020, just before her 62nd birthday. Alongside his wife, Allie LaForce, a TNT reporter, Joe is committed to fulfilling a promise made to his mother to help end Huntington's disease, one family at a time. To achieve this, they established HelpCureHD, which provides essential funding for families in need, helping those affected by this devastating disease find support and resources.
Joe recalls his mother’s journey:
“Before the official diagnosis, we saw symptoms of nervousness, coughing spasms, mind racing, and deteriorating motor skills, making it harder for her to speak and move smoothly. This was a challenging and sobering experience for my family, especially since we had watched my grandma endure similar symptoms caused by Huntington's disease (HD). My sister and I witnessed her struggle through the later stages of HD as she lost her ability to drive, take a shower, get dressed, and prepare meals. Eventually, she could not even enjoy a simple walk on a beautiful summer day.
When my mom’s test results came back, it was hard for her to accept her new reality of living with HD. After dedicating so much of her life to caring for her mother as she battled this disease, the diagnosis was a harsh blow for all of us, particularly my mother. The first few months were difficult, and she struggled to cope with the fact that she had inherited this terrible disease for which there is currently no cure. She had to confront the reality of how quickly her life would change. Our family and close friends rallied around her, providing overwhelming support, as families in need often do.
My mother visited numerous doctors and received various opinions and options regarding her treatment. Finding the right combination and dosage of medications proved challenging and led to complications: making her sleep 12 or 13 hours; simple walks would exhaust her; and some medicines caused chapping around her lips and face. It took about 2 years to get her on the right medications and refine the dosages. Even with the best medications available, my mother must live with the cruel symptoms of HD—memory loss, difficulty with daily tasks, trouble responding in conversation, and slowing motor skills. Throughout it all, she has remained stoic and courageous, simply wanting to be there for us as a parent and grandparent. Organizations like HelpCureHD and advocates such as Allie LaForce and Joe Smith are working tirelessly to provide funding for families affected by Huntington's disease, reminding us that we are not alone in this fight.”
Huntington's Disease Awareness: HelpCureHD Foundation
- Joe Smith
Joe and his family have made a commitment to helping those suffering from the disease.
Right now, we are committed to saving our mother and supporting other families in need, including parents, siblings, and friends affected by Huntington's disease. Many organizations are searching for cures, and we hope that the promising studies will yield results in the future. However, for my mom and many others currently living with HD, this help may come too late. We are dedicated to finding ways to improve the quality of life for those living with Huntington's disease and to mitigate the harsh symptoms they face. That is why my wife, Allie LaForce, and I created HelpCureHD, a platform aimed at securing funding for families impacted by this condition.