Moon Township, Pa. - The Robert Morris University women's lacrosse program will kick off its month-long fundraising effort this Sunday when the Colonials join the Duquesne in hosting the Seventh Annual Pittsburgh Lacrosse for Hope event at Joe Walton Stadium. All fundraising from Sunday's event will go directly towards the Huntington's Disease Society of America, Western Pennsylvania Chapter.

"Pittsburgh Lacrosse for Hope has become a great fall tradition for our team," RMU head women's lacrosse coach Katy Phillips, whose mother suffers from Huntington's disease, said. "The event showcases competitive Division I lacrosse in the Pittsburgh area, and it gives us the chance to launch our fundraising campaign to support Huntington's, a disease that has seriously affected my family."

The ten-team event features some of the top programs in the area including the Colonials, who will host the event for the sixth-straight year. Joining Robert Morris and Duquesne for this year's event will be Cincinnati, Grand Valley State, IUP, Louisville, St. Bonaventure, Detroit, Lock Haven, and Canisius. Sunday's benefit will feature sixteen games on two fields starting at 10 a.m. and running until the final game of the day begins at 5 p.m. A full schedule of the day is listed below. Game formatting will feature two 30 minute halves with a running clock. Charitable donations will be accepted throughout the day.

About Huntington's Disease: Huntington's Disease is a disease of both the mind and the body. It is an inherited, progressively degenerative brain disorder. Typically, symptoms appear between age 30 and 50. However, cases have been noted as early as 2 and as late as 80. The first symptoms usually appear slowly and can vary from person to person. Early symptoms include involuntary movements of the body and limbs and marked personality changes. Over a period of 10-25 years the ability to think, to speak and to walk is greatly diminished in persons with HD. About ten percent of the HD cases will be juvenile striking at a very early age and progressing very rapidly.

At present, there is no cure. However, modern medicine has provided many drug treatments that help improve the quality of life for those with HD. HD affects all sexes, races, ethnic groups, and ages. Each child of an affected parent with HD has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the gene. If a person carries the gene eventually they will develop HD.

About the Huntington's Disease Society of America, Western Pennsylvania Chapter: The Western Pennsylvania Chapter works locally to fulfill the mission of The Huntington's Disease Society of America by promoting and supporting research to find a cure for HD, helping people and families affected by the disease, and educating the public and health care professionals about HD.