25 Mar 2018

Help children with undiagnosed diseases – run the Double Helix Dash!

Moms, dads, children of all ages – both walkers and runners – are invited to the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology Double Helix Dash.

HudsonAlpha will host the seventh annual Double Helix Dash 5K and one-mile fun run the afternoon of Tuesday, April 3 at McMillian Park on HudsonAlpha’s campus. The race winds through the double helix path which was built to mimic the structure of DNA.

Proceeds support childhood genetic disorders research at HudsonAlpha. This year’s childhood champion is Jessi Watts, who spent ten years taking seizure medications that weren’t helpful, prior to her rare condition being diagnosed by scientists at HudsonAlpha. Jessi has Rett syndrome, a neurodegenerative disorder that is almost exclusively seen in girls and affects about 1 in 10,000 worldwide.

“Because of the diagnosis, we are no longer throwing punches in the dark and fighting this creature that was slowly stealing our daughter,” said Dana Watts, Jessi’s mother. “Jessi totally understands that her life is better thanks to HudsonAlpha and we are so thankful.”

“Through our clinical research project, we have identified several patients affected with Rett syndrome,” said Greg Cooper, PhD, HudsonAlpha faculty investigator. “For these families, a diagnosis can lead to better treatment, access to resources and also patient and family support groups.”

Two out of 100 children are born with intellectual or developmental delay, many of which arise from genetic factors. HudsonAlpha is on the leading edge with this project.

This particular clinical research project at HudsonAlpha provides DNA sequencing to identify the genetic causes of undiagnosed conditions such as Jessi. In just four years, more than 500 families have been enrolled with over 150 of those children receiving a more precise, clinical diagnosis.

Presented in collaboration with the Huntsville Track Club, the Double Helix Dash begins at 5:30 p.m. and will start and finish on Genome Way. Immediately following will be the one-mile fun run.

Prior to the start of the race, runners and spectators will be treated to a dance performance by Merrimack Hall, a nonprofit organization that provides visual and performing arts education and cultural activities to children and adults with special needs.

The dash is open to everyone from serious runners to those who just want to cheer and watch the race on Explorer Boulevard. Please show your support for HudsonAlpha’s childhood genomics programs.

Registration is now open for HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology’s annual Double Helix Dash 5K and one-mile fun run. See you on the helix!