BOONE—On Saturday, April 9, students from Appalachian State University’s recreation management program, in collaboration with Health Promotion for Faculty and Staff, and Huntington’s Disease Society of America, will host the 11th Annual Tom Moore 5K Run/Walk.

The annual event will take place at 9 a.m. at the Holmes Convocation Center on campus, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. All proceeds from the 5K run/walk will support research on treatments and the search for a cure for Huntington’s Disease (HD).

Early registration for students, seniors and military personnel is $15. Early registration for the general public is $20. Registration the day of the event is $25. Each participant will receive a long-sleeve T-shirt on a first-come, first-served basis. Refreshments and fun activities will be available after the race, along with a record of running times. Each registered participant will be entered for great door prizes but must be present to win.

For more information or to register for this year’s event, go to http://5k.appstate.edu. For more information about Huntington’s disease, go to http://www.hdsa.org.

Tom Moore, the previous director of Resort Area Ministry (RAM’s Rack), is a Watauga County resident who was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease 15 years ago. Since his diagnosis, his father and brother have succumbed to the incurable condition.

Huntington’s is a hereditary, degenerative disease that slowly diminishes the patient’s ability to think, walk and function normally. Although treatments have been developed which lessen certain symptoms, there is no cure for the disease.

Moore connected with the recreation management program at Appalachian 11 years ago for assistance in raising awareness of the economical, societal and emotional affects HD has on patients and their families.

In the past 11 years, the Tom Moore 5K has grown into a successful event involving participants not only from Watauga County but Wilkes, Ashe and Surry counties as well. Through the commitment of these counties, Huntington’s Disease Society of America and Appalachian’s recreation management program, more than $50,000 has been collected for research, making a significant impact on the lives of HD patients.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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