Brianna's 200km Walk for Huntington disease supporting The Huntington Society of Canada
Brianna's 200km Walk for Huntington disease supporting The Huntington Society of Canada
About Brianna's Walk for Huntington disease
Support Brianna as she walks 200km across Nova Scotia for Huntington disease!
From May 30th to June 2nd, Brianna will be walking 200km from Lower Sackville to Amherst in support of her family's HD journey and the Huntington Society of Canada (HSC). HSC aspires to a world free from Huntington disease (HD) and together, with your support, HSC maximizes the quality of life of people living with HD through services, support, advocacy, and research.
Walk Details:
Who: Brianna Voss
What: Walking from Lower Sackville to Amherst, NS for Huntington disease awareness
When: May 30 - June 2, 2026
Distance: 200km
Fundraising Goal: $50,000
One in every 7,000 Canadians has HD, a devastating, degenerative brain disorder. The symptoms are like having Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, schizophrenia, and ALS in one disease. Every child of a parent with HD has a 50% chance of inheriting the disease.
There is currently no cure. Please show your support and help the HD Community find meaningful treatments!
Click here to sponsor a kilometre or one day of Brianna's walk!
A Message from Brianna:
I feel as though it is my responsibility to never stop advocating, raising awareness, and fighting for those affected by this disease...
To everyone who donates—thank you. I am so grateful for your support. It might be too late for my family but it doesn’t have to be too late for others.
One day, there will be a treatment, and it will be because of people like you.
— Brianna 🤍
WALKING FOR THE VOSS FAMILY & THE HUNTINGTON SOCIETY OF CANADA.
The Voss Family's Story
Brianna was only four years old when her father was diagnosed with Huntington disease (HD). He started showing symptoms at the age of 31 and fought a courageous battle until he passed away in November of 2019 at the age of 47. Brianna's family have also lost their Grandmother in 1999, and Aunt in 2022, to HD.
Just four months after her father's passing, Brianna's little brother, Connor, was diagnosed with Juvenile HD (JHD) at the age of 17. Getting that diagnosis was incredibly difficult and life shattering. Connor had been showing symptoms of HD since he was 13 but because JHD is so rare, healthcare professionals mistook his symptoms for mental health issues.
Brianna has since chosen to undergo genetic testing and found out she is gene negative for the gene mutation that causes HD. She says, "A heavy amount a survivors guilt came with my negative result and I feel as though it is my responsibility to never stop advocating, raising awareness, and fighting for those affected by this disease. It means so much to know that there are organizations like the Huntington Society working toward awareness, education, support, and research. Supporting fundraising efforts is incredibly important because progress depends on it. One day, there will be a treatment, and it will be because of people like you."
Please help us in supporting Brianna as she raises awareness for the strength, resilience, and determination of the Voss family and Huntington disease community.
Brianna's Itinerary
Day 1, May 30th: Lower Sackville → Shubenacadie (~45km)
- 10:00 a.m. - Halifax Chapter Walk at Sackville Lakes Provincial Park
Help kickstart Brianna's journey by participating in the Halifax Chapter Walk at Sackville Lakes Provincial Park. Together, we will walk along the trails and send Brianna off to continue her journey before returning to our starting location. Click here to register your participation, donate, or get more information on the Halifax Walk.
Day 2, May 31st: Shubenacadie → Truro (~50km)
After starting strong with the community's support, Brianna will continue north along Highway 2 to Truro before stopping to camp overnight and prepare for the day ahead.
Day 3, June 1st: Truro → Wentworth → Oxford (~60km)
Starting the longest walk of the trip, Brianna will rely on her community's support and encouragement as she travels along old trunk roads. This route allows maximum opportunity to raise awareness with those passing by as she heads to her final stop.
Day 4, June 2nd: Oxford → Amherst (~40km)
- 6:00 p.m. - Amherst Walk (Cumberland North Academy → Elmtree Tavern)
In the final stretch, Brianna will begin the day bright and early in order to meet everyone in Amherst to finish off the journey in her and Connor's hometown. The Amherst Walk will begin at 6:00 p.m. at Cumberland North Academy and conclude at The Elmtree Tavern where all are invited to celebrate Brianna's accomplishment and the HD community. Click here to register your participation, donate, or get more information on the Amherst Walk.
About the Huntington Society of Canada
The Huntington Society of Canada (HSC) strives for a better future for those affected by Huntington disease (HD). There are three main areas that HSC focuses on:
1. Funding cutting edge research into slowing or stopping the progression of HD
2. Funding Family Services workers across Canada to provide support for those affected by HD
3. Raising awareness of HD, educating the public and health services professionals, as well as advocating for the rights of those affected by HD