Project Abrazos for HD

Hello!
My name is Ignacio Munoz-Sanjuan (Nacho) and I am a neuroscientist working at a non-profit Foundation developing treatments for Huntington's disease (HD), a devastating genetic brain disorder. In my scientific role, I oversee a large portfolio of drug discovery programs, including gene therapy efforts to halt progression of the disease.

In my free time, I manage a humanitarian project helping families living with HD in Latin America. We call it Factor-H: Hope, Huntington's, Humanity.

See www.factor-h.org
 
Since 2012 we have implemented several projects to help poor families in Venezuela and Colombia, two of the countries where the largest clusters of HD patients reside. I have visited these communities several times and have forged important connections with the local people. I have witnessed first-hand the situation of the patients and their families.

This project 'Abrazos' (Hugs) aims to provide donations for children in Colombia living in families affected by HD. Their family situation is dire and many of the kids have been abandoned by one of their parents. Their families typically do not have any money to buy them clothes or toys, and many of the children lack proper nutrition. Their living conditions are difficult, usually lacking access to fresh water, electricity and living in inadequate housing that floods during the rainy season.   The children we seek to help live in the Magdalena and Atlantico provinces of Northeast Colombia.

Factor-H works with two local Colombian HD non-profit associations who know these families well and will ensure the donation reaches the children (all under 15 years of age) who we have jointly selected for this project.  

This donation will bring them hope, a chance in life, and will go towards paying for school supplies, clothes, and making some of their dreams come true. We will deliver donations twice a year and also give them a birthday and Christmas gift.
 
We hope together we can help them grow up feeling cared for, and not forgotten.

We are asking for a donation of $300/child.

You can find out more about me or the Factor-H programs at the address above, or google me!

I know first-hand how great it is to put a smile of their face! So thank you for your help!

Please contact me directly if you want to find out more or if you would like to see specific profiles of the children selected for sponsorship.
nacho