The Power of the HDSA National Youth Alliance
The next topic I’d love to share with you is the HDSA National Youth Alliance (NYA). This incredible group brings together young men and women, ages 9 to 35, from across the country, empowering them to get involved with their local HDSA chapters, fundraising events, and advocacy efforts for Huntington’s disease (HD). It's a space where young people can connect, share their experiences, and support each other. I’ll never forget my first national convention in Atlanta, Georgia in 2004. I had heard so many wonderful things from people on the HDSA board about how life-changing these conventions could be, and I was beyond excited. When I arrived, I immediately felt like I had found my tribe. For the first time since testing gene-positive, I wasn’t alone. I was surrounded by others my age who understood what I was going through because they had similar stories. It was truly eye-opening. One of the best parts of the convention is NYA Day, where the group gets together for fun activities...