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CARY, N.C. (WNCN) — A devastating genetic illness may be impacting thousands of families across North Carolina, but a dedicated local nonprofit ensures that no one has to navigate the complex journey alone.
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HD Reach works across the state of North Carolina to improve the care, medical access, and overall quality of life for anyone affected by Huntington’s Disease (HD).
It’s a rare, inherited brain disorder present at birth, but symptoms like abnormal movements, altered thinking, and psychiatric changes usually emerge between ages 35 and 50. The symptoms of Huntington’s Disease progressively worsen over a 10-to-20-year period before becoming fatal. Because it simultaneously damages cognition, movement, and behavior, medical experts often describe it as a combination of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and ALS all at once.
HD Reach was the CBS 17 3-Degree Guarantee charity for May 2026. Every day that the CBS 17 Storm Team got the forecast high temperature correct within three degrees, CBS 17 & Michael & Son Home Services donated $100 to the organization. At the end of the month, they handed over the total donated in the form of a giant check.
Known as a “family disease,” any child with an affected parent faces a 50/50 chance of inheriting the gene. Today, approximately 41,000 Americans are symptomatic, and more than 200,000 live at risk of inheritance. There is currently no cure, but targeted medical interventions can treat and manage symptoms.
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HD Reach has operated as a private, remote nonprofit out of Cary since 2009 and serves as a vital community safety net. The organization’s licensed care managers provide judgment-free, strictly confidential support for families, individuals, and professional care partners.
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Families impacted by HD can access a wide variety of dedicated resources through the HD Reach Portal, including guidance on identifying and building a specialized medical care team and referrals to vetted community resources and local services. The charity also provides strategic coping methods and planning resources for family care partners, disease information and even peer support networks and localized community meetups.
All social work and care management services are funded through community donations, grants, and private pay, ensuring that North Carolinians can access critical assistance regardless of insurance or financial status. If you or a loved one needs help navigating life with HD, contact a care manager at [email protected] or call 919-803-8128, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
CBS 17 is proud to support all the great work they do for our community. To learn more about how you can help this great organization or possibly benefit from HD Reach, visit their website.
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