Don Barr

Huntington’s Disease Society of America

Elects Donald L. Barr

to Chair National Board of Trustees

New York – July 21, 2010 – The Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) has elected Donald L. Barr of Chesterland Ohio as Chair of the Society’s National Board of Trustees. In this position, Mr. Barr will oversee the Board’s guidance of the organization’s 39 Chapters and Affiliates throughout the United States and lead the development of a new strategic plan that will create the blueprint for the expansion of services to the 30,000 Americans with Huntington’s disease (HD) and the 200,000 who are at-risk. Huntington’s disease is a rare, genetic neurological disease that robs individuals of their ability to think, talk, walk and reason.

Mr. Barr is well-known in the Cleveland community as the principal of Donald L. Barr & Co. Inc, which builds and develops homes in the Northeast Ohio area. The company has shown its support in the community through many programs, including its annual “Tree of Hope” project. Don has supported several alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs for many years. He is also a trustee of the Ohio Wetlands Foundation, past president of The Home Builders Association of Greater Cleveland and The Ohio Home Builders Association, and is a life director of the National Association of Home Builders.

Mr. Barr has been active in the Society for more than ten years, first at the local level as president for four where he ran a local support group for the Northeast Ohio Chapter. Over the years, he has served in a variety of leadership roles at the national level, including Chair of the Development Committee and Strategic Planning Task Force as well as Vice Chair. Additionally, he is a founding member of HDSA’s National Youth Alliance, a support community for children and young adults facing Huntington’s disease.

Don's father and sister both died from this devastating disease. It is his desire to do all that he can to help the families who suffer and ultimately find a way to postpone the onset and find a cure.

“We are fortunate to have someone with the leadership skills and deep affinity for the needs of the families facing the daily challenges of Huntington’s disease to take the helm of our Board,” said Louise Vetter, Chief Executive Officer of HDSA. “He will no doubt utilize his personal understanding to guide the focus of the Society, and thereby improve the lives of everyone affected by this devastating disease.”

For more information about HDSA, please visit http://www.hdsa.org/. HDSA’s Northeast Ohio Chapter is located at 10176 Luman Lane, Twinsburg, OH 44087. Barbara Kaiser, is the Development Director.