Paws for the Cause Walk on Oct. 28

The New Jersey Chapter of the Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) will hold an event called "Paws for the Cause Walk - Walk 'N' Wag for HD" on Oct. 28.

The event, which will be held at Mercer County Park on Old Trenton Road in West Windsor, will bring dogs and their families out for a day of raising funds to support research aimed at developing treatment and a cure for Huntington's disease (HD), and for providing support and care to patients and their families, according to a press release for the event.

Huntington's disease is a devastating, hereditary, degenerative brain disorder for which there is currently no effective treatment or cure, according to the press release.

The disease slowly diminishes the affected individual's ability to walk, think, talk and reason. Eventually, a person with the disease becomes totally dependent upon others for care, which profoundly affects the lives of entire families, the press release said.

The HDSA is a national, nonprofit, health agency that supports the research activities of scientists around the world. The organization also funds 21 centers throughout the U.S. where patients with Huntington's disease and their families receive care and support, according to the press release.

The New Jersey Chapter of the HSDA is based out of Cranbury, but has three family service centers located in Stratford, Piscataway and Newark, according to the press release.

Registration for the walk starts at 9 a.m., with the walk scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. All participants raising money through the walk will receive a gift and be eligible for a prize based on the total amount of money collected, the press release said.

Refreshments, a silent auction and special activities/demonstrations are also being planned for the day. There will be a donation box set up as well to benefit a partnering local animal shelter or organization. Those attending the walk are encouraged to bring donations of dog or cat food, treats or other items, the release said.

For more information, contact Patricia Velasco, director of the society's New Jersey Chapter, at (609) 448-3500 or pvelascohdsanj@aol.com. For more information about Huntington's disease, visit www.hdsanj.org.