Factor-H colabora con Skyhawk para diseminar información sobre el estudio Falcon-HD

Factor-H colabora con Skyhawk para diseminar información sobre el estudio Falcon-HD

Factor-H tiene como prioridad compartir información sobre la investigación clínica de una manera responsable, sin generar expectativas irreales ni aumentar la carga emocional de las familias afectadas por la enfermedad de Huntington. El estudio Falcon-HD está evaluando SKY-0515, un fármaco experimental de administración oral desarrollado por Skyhawk Therapeutics para modular…
Factor-H and Skyhawk Therapeutics collaborate to Support Responsible Communication on the Falcon-HD Clinical Trial in Latin America

Factor-H and Skyhawk Therapeutics collaborate to Support Responsible Communication on the Falcon-HD Clinical Trial in Latin America

A central priority for Factor-H is ensuring that information about clinical research is shared in a way that does not create unrealistic expectations or add to the emotional burden faced by individuals and families affected by Huntington’s disease. While scientific progress is essential and provides reasons for optimism, it is…
A few words on Skyhawk’s Phase 1c interim results - SKY-0515 in Huntington’s disease

A few words on Skyhawk’s Phase 1c interim results - SKY-0515 in Huntington’s disease

Dr. Ignacio Muñoz-Sanjuan, Factor-H president, shares in this article his first insights on the Skyhawk’s Therapeutics announcement from January 28. There are always two sides with any important development regarding possible treatments for a devastating condition like Huntington’s Disease: one is the scientific part of it; the other is how…
Factor-H at Cuidarme, Cuidarte in Medellín

Factor-H at Cuidarme, Cuidarte in Medellín

The city of Medellín hosted Cuidarme, Cuidarte, a gathering that brought together social organizations, health institutions, community groups, and families to share experiences and knowledge about care, prevention, and health promotion. This space seeks to strengthen a culture of self-care and mutual care, highlighting the importance of solidarity and collective…
2025 Gratitude Day - a summary of the events in Venezuela

2025 Gratitude Day - a summary of the events in Venezuela

Gratitude Day took place on March 23rd, 2025 and culminated a week of events in Venezuela to honor the contributions of the Venezuelan families to the advancement of science and medicine. Factor-H, working alongside Habitat LUZ, volunteers from the community and health professionals, hosted a series of events ranging from…
Gratitude Day 2025

Gratitude Day 2025

“Gratitude Day is a way to honor the collaboration of HD families with clinicians and scientists, which started with the efforts to identify the Huntington’s disease gene in the 1980s, and that continues to these days through various efforts around the world to find treatments for the disease”

March 23rd is the day when the original publication describing the mutation that causes HD was first reported, marking a historical day for science and for all the affected families. This publication culminated a two decade project to identify the cause of the disease. Many families contributed towards this milestone, but it was the contribution of thousands of Venezuelans who enabled scientists to reach their goal – everything changed after this discovery.

Today, therapeutic programs targeting the Huntingtin gene are in clinical stages and are showing signs of positive effects.

Please join us to mark Gratitude Day around the world and to honor the many people who partnered with the research community to advance our quest for effective treatments!

You can post your support images using the hashtag #HDGratitudeDay

This year’s proceeds will support our educational programs for youth – including workshops for teenagers & basic education for children at-risk for HD

Donate 2025 Gratitude Day activities

 March 18 – Kids Lab Day – a meeting with Christian Neri’s laboratory in France

 March 19 – Candle Light Vigil in Barranquitas, honoring those who have passed

 March 20 – Pediatric Medical Day in San Luis

 March 21 – Candle Light Vigil in San Luis; an HD photography exhibit from Vladimir Marcano

 March 23 – Live streaming activities from San Luis, Maracaibo, Venezuela

Join us on March 23rd on the live streaming from Venezuela!

Do you want to know what life is like for families affected by HD in Venezuela?

Do you want to know what Factor-H does to help these families?

Meet the patients, caregivers, and the kids Factor-H supports, and also our team there…. 

 

To join the Zoom click on hand image on the left

 Access Code: 230325

 Webinar-ID: 842 1059 0895

click here for Phone Dial

World times below!

Zulia, Venezuela: 12:00 PM (UTC-4)
Los Angeles, USA: 9:00 AM (UTC-7) – Daylight Saving Time
Mexico City, Mexico: 11:00 AM (UTC-5) – Daylight Saving Time
New York, USA: 12:00 PM (UTC-4) – Daylight Saving Time
São Paulo, Brazil: 1:00 PM (UTC-3)
London, UK: 4:00 PM (UTC+0)
Berlin, Germany: 5:00 PM (UTC+1)
Mumbai, India: 9:30 PM (UTC+5:30)
Hong Kong, China: 12:00 AM the next day (UTC+8)
Tokyo, Japan: 1:00 AM the next day (UTC+9)
Sydney, Australia: 3:00 AM the next day (UTC+11)

We hope to see you there!

See video messages from Drs. Leslie Thompson, Gill Bates and Alice Wexler about their experience visiting the HD families in Venezuela

A reflection: Factor-H co-founder centers humanity to serve communities living with Huntington’s disease

A reflection: Factor-H co-founder centers humanity to serve communities living with Huntington’s disease

The December issue of the Moving Along magazine of the Movement Disorder Society published a reflection article about the scientific and humanitarian trajectory of Factor-H founder, Ignacio Muñoz-Sanjuan. The article was written in response to the Public Service Award given to Ignacio in September 2024, for the work Factor-H has…
Factor-H President is interviewed for the Rare Disease Advisor

Factor-H President is interviewed for the Rare Disease Advisor

On November 5th, Larry Luxner, journalist and senior correspondent for the Rare Disease Advisor network, interviewed Dr. Ignacio Muñoz-Sanjuan about Factor-H work in Latin America. Larry also spoke with Marina Kauffman who leads Factor-H work in Venezuela. In the accompanying podcast, Ignacio shares his journey from 2012 when he launched…
El Programa de Asistencia Legal en Colombia

El Programa de Asistencia Legal en Colombia

Factor-H ofrece un servicio de asistencia legal gratuita en Colombia, con el único objetivo de facilitar el acceso a los servicios, medicamentos e insumos que el Estado colombiano asegura a todos los pacientes afectados por la enfermedad de Huntington. Factor-H tiene como objetivo ayudar a todas las familias con EH a navegar el complejo panorama de acceso a beneficios médicos y a medicamentos, que a menudo pueden ser difíciles de obtener a través de las compañías de seguros.

En 2022, Factor-H contrató a Brayan Hernández para administrar este programa y representar las necesidades de los pacientes y sus familias. Brayan ha tenido mucho éxito en garantizar que los pacientes obtengan los medicamentos que necesitan, así como en garantizar que los pacientes en etapa avanzada reciban la atención adecuada, siempre que sea posible.

El programa de Asistencia Legal para familias afectadas por la enfermedad de Huntington es parte de la asistencia integral que ofrece Factor-H desde su pilar estratégico de Incidencia. La asistencia tiene como objetivo atender las inquietudes y problemas que presenta la población de interés al momento de acceder a los servicios institucionales para garantizar sus derechos.

Recientemente, en septiembre de 2024, Factor-H entabló una alianza estratégica con ISILegal, una ONG startup colombiana dedicada a crear caminos hacia la equidad en salud. Ellos, al igual que Factor-H, están comprometidos con la defensa, el acceso a la salud y la justicia como una obra social para los pacientes con enfermedades raras.

Nuestra colaboración busca llegar a más familias en Colombia que experimentan barreras y desafíos al momento de interactuar con el sistema de salud, por ello, ISILegal viene a apoyarnos en la presentación de “acciones de tutela” cuando sea pertinente y necesario para obtener servicios y tratamientos que permitan a nuestras familias vivir en mejores condiciones.

Todas las familias pueden acceder a este servicio de manera totalmente gratuita a través de nosotros, pueden contactarnos a asesoriajuridica@factor-h.org y brayan@factor-h.org o a través de nuestros agentes sociales en Colombia.

Por favor, comprendan sus derechos y trabajemos juntos para que todas las personas afectadas tengan acceso a un nivel adecuado de atención y el apoyo que les garantiza la ley en Colombia.

¿Cómo funciona el programa?

Nuestro programa jurídico está dirigido a familias afectadas por la enfermedad de Huntington, pacientes, familiares en riesgo, cuidadores y miembros del núcleo familiar.

Nuestro abogado Brayan Hernández está disponible para asesorar a todas las familias colombianas que tengan dudas o preguntas sobre sus derechos y garantizar que el sistema de salud colombiano brinde a los enfermos y cuidadores la asistencia que por ley les corresponde.

La asistencia jurídica que ofrece el programa es meramente orientativa. Factor-H y el personal encargado de brindar la asistencia no tienen responsabilidad en relación con el resultado de los procesos y acciones que se inicien.

Objetivos específicos

1. Brindar asistencia jurídica gratuita a las familias afectadas por la enfermedad de Huntington, pacientes, familiares en riesgo, cuidadores y miembros del hogar, en un marco de respeto, dignidad e igualdad.

2. Incidir en el marco institucional para reducir las brechas administrativas que limitan el acceso a los derechos de la población de interés.

Como parte de este programa, Brayan Hernández mantiene reuniones periódicas virtuales y presenciales con familias afectadas por la EH, para educarlas sobre sus derechos y brindarles un marco para reclamar lo que les corresponde por ley en Colombia. También ha representado a Factor-H en reuniones internacionales de la comunidad de enfermedades raras, que se han llevado a cabo en Colombia, trabajando en estrecha colaboración con la organización sin fines de lucro Federación de Enfermedades Raras de Colombia (Fecoer).

Algunas cifras del 2023

En el 2023, Factor-H postuló 4 acciones para proteger los derechos de las personas con EH, 1 solicitud de inmigración de una familia venezolana con EH que había llegado a Barranquilla, 5 instancias de derecho de petición, para asegurar el acceso a medicamentos y cubrir los costos de transporte a centros médicos, 8 denuncias legales luego de que las compañías de seguros dejaron de proporcionar medicamentos a los pacientes y 1 incidente de desacato, un recurso final ante el juez, para lograr el cumplimiento de la decisión judicial.

Vean a continuación una presentación virtual reciente sobre el programa de asistencia jurídica en salud. También puede acceder a una descripción de las diapositivas que se muestran a continuación en formato PDF.

Factor-H hosts the US Premiere of two HD documentary films

Factor-H hosts the US Premiere of two HD documentary films

On November 07, 2024, Factor-H will host a fundraising event in Los Angeles to support our ongoing programs in Latin America.

Factor-H is proud to present the US premiere for two documentary films about Huntington’s disease – The Light (The story of the Informal Caregivers for Huntington’s patients in Barranquitas, Venezuela, by Gindel Delgado) and The Present (Dimitri Poffe’s incredible bicycle trip through Latin America to raise awareness about HD, by Timothy Dhalleine).

Ignacio Muñoz-Sanjuán, president of Factor-H, will host Dr. Roger Cachope and Marina González de Kauffman from Venezuela in an evening of solidarity and cinema.

Following a brief introduction to Factor-H and the state of the HD therapeutics, we will show the two short documentary films, followed by a Q&A and a social mixer. We will also host an art exhibit with photographs by Venezuelan artist Vladimir Marcano.

The event will take place at The Writer’s Guild Theatre in Beverly Hills from 6-10pm

Address: 135 S Doheny Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90211.

Please note this is a change in venue location!

You can get tickets via Eventbrite below.

 

TICKETS DONATIONS

The Light is a documentary film by Caracas-based filmmaker and journalist Gindel Delgado, who has been an active collaborator of Factor-H since 2017, when he assisted during he filming of the documentary Dancing at the Vatican. Ignacio and Gindel formed a close friendship during this time. Gindel has since become an essential member of the Factor-H team.

In The Light, Gindel tells the story of two informal caregivers’ in Barranquitas, Venezuela, the community with the highest incidence of Huntington’s disease in the world.

Emotional, poignant, raw and full of hope in the power of human relationships, this documentary captures the daily lives of two family members as they struggle to care for their affected relatives and neighbours.

Timothy Dhalleine captures the immense beauty and solitude of the Latin American landscape in The Present, a film about the extraordinary journey of Dimitri Poffé, who changes his life after being tested positive for Huntington’s disease.

Dimitri decided to give up his job in Paris and bicycle from Mexico to the Southern-most region of Argentina, an 18-month, 12,000 mile journey. During the trip, Dimitri visits HD families, scientists and patient associations throughout the continent.

Breathtaking beauty that brings home the message: ‘live in the present’, and ‘no regrets’.

Dimitri is a friend of Factor-H and met the Factor-H Colombia team along his journey.