Treadmills are an option at this year’s virtual Huntington’s Disease Sacramento walkathon

Participants can get their steps in at home, around the neighborhood or even on a treadmill during a Sept. 19 “virtual” fundraising walk hosted by the Huntington’s Disease Society of America’s (HDSA) Northern California Chapter.

In years past, the event has brought thousands of people together to walk through Sacramento, but this year, people can choose their own course in order to socially distance while taking part.

The event, called the Sacramento Virtual Team Hope Walk, aims to raise both money and awareness for Huntington’s Disease, according to the HDSA. The organization seeks to raise $47,000 this year to support HDSA services. Individuals and businesses can sign up to sponsor walkers.

About 39,000 Californians struggle with Huntington’s Disease, a fatal genetic disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain. People who inherit Huntington’s Disease usually start to lose both physical and mental abilities beginning in their 30s or 40s.

No cure currently exists, but organizations such as HDSA support more research into the disease as well as therapies to improve the lives of those affected by it.