A glass of wine is said to be beneficial to one’s health. On Sept. 18, it will be beneficial to the health of many when the Huntington’s Disease Support Group holds a fundraising event from 1 to 4 p.m. at Costa de Oro Tasting Room in Santa Maria.
At the event, each pour will cost $7, and hors d’oeuvres will be served. A percentage of the tasting room proceeds will go to the Santa Maria Huntington’s Disease Support Group, thanks to world-class, award-winning winemaker Gary Burke, son of Ron Burke, the founding member of parent company Gold Coast Farms.
The donated money will help pay for programs and services for local support groups, and a portion will be sent to Huntington’s Disease Society of America for research, education, and outreach.
Huntington’s Disease is a hereditary, neurodegenerative, and fatal brain disorder that causes a loss of cognitive, behavioral, and physical control. If someone is diagnosed, he or she can expect about 10 to 15 years of progressive debilitating suffering. Currently, there’s no cure for the disease, which has a 50 percent chance of developing in children of parents with the disease.
The Santa Maria Huntington’s Disease Support Group started in June of this year following a symposium; it helps numerous families in Santa Maria and Lompoc.
Costa de Oro is at 1331 S. Nicholson Ave. in Santa Maria.
For more information, contact Melissa Biliardi at mjbiliardi@verizon.net.
Intern Henry Houston compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Sep 16-23, 2010.