South Amboy High School Teacher Colleen Partenope with Student Volunteers and First Place Winner Rafael Albarran. *Photo Submitted
South Amboy High School Teacher
Honored by First Place Winner and
Student, Rafael Albarran
LAKE COMO/SOUTH AMBOY – On Saturday, May 4th, runners and walkers from all over New Jersey laced up their shoes and headed to Bar Anticipation for the fourth annual Jersey Shore 5K & Team Hope Walk to raise awareness and funds for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA).
The annual race saw its biggest turn out with about 230 participants and raising over $50,000 for Huntington’s Disease, a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. The money from the race will go to the HDSA’s care, education, advocacy, and research programs both in the local community and across the country.
This year’s first place winner, a South Amboy High School Freshman, Rafael Albarran (15) finished the race in 18 minutes and 59 seconds, beating out 3 time winner Daniel Campbell (44) who finished the race in 19 minutes and 49 seconds.
As an athlete on the South Amboy High School Track and Cross Country teams, Rafael was unable to accept the monetary prize for winning first place and graciously decided to give his first place prize to his Teacher, Colleen Partenope. Albarran said he wanted to give back to his teacher who has done so much for his school.
Mrs. Partenope, a recipient of the 2018 “Positive Coach Award” for her dedication to her JV and Varsity Softball teams, has been a Math teacher at South Amboy High School for the past 2 years, and works hard to keep her students motivated and feel supported every day.
“I’m so proud of Rafael and my other students for coming out to run and volunteer in this year’s race” stated Mrs. Partenope. “Each year you can see more people coming out to participate and learn more about this disease, and my family and I always try to do our part to help those who are affected by HD.”
Mrs. Partenope and her family have been a part of the annual 5K since its inception and has raised numerous dollars over the past 18 years in honor of her Aunt Bernadette Hayes, who fought for 14 years before passing from Huntington’s Disease. The Hayes family has worked to bring awareness and funds to their community and hopes that there will one day be a cure for HD.
What is the Huntington’s Disease Society of America? The Huntington’s Disease Society of America is the premier not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by Huntington’s disease. From community services and education to advocacy and research, HDSA is the world’s leader in providing help for today, hope for tomorrow for people with Huntington’s disease and their families. To learn more, please visit www.hdsa.org.
What is Huntington’s Disease? Huntington’s disease is a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It deteriorates a person’s physical and mental abilities usually during their prime working years and has no cure. Every child of a parent with HD has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the faulty gene that causes the disease. Today, there are approximately 30,000 symptomatic Americans and more than 200,000 at-risk of inheriting the disease. The symptoms of Huntington’s disease are described as having ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s – simultaneously.
About Team Hope – Team Hope is HDSA’s largest national grassroots fundraising event. Thousands of families, friends, co-workers, neighbors and communities walk together each year to support HDSA’s fight to improve the lives of people affected by HD and their families. From forming a team, to sponsoring an event, to volunteering, you too can help make a difference in so many lives. Join Team Hope for HD, and help us provide help for today, hope for tomorrow! Learn more by visiting www.hdsa.org/teamhope.
