Sarah Power Shares Her Journey as Potential Huntington's Treatment Emerges
Sarah Power, 41, who carries a gene mutation for Huntington's disease and was diagnosed at age 23, has shared her experiences with the condition as news emerges about a potential new treatment.
Huntington's disease is a rare neurological disorder, and early results suggest the developing treatment could significantly slow its progression, though it currently requires an extensive surgical procedure.
Living with Huntington's Disease
Power became aware of her grandmother's diagnosis at age five and later learned of her father's condition. Her family history deeply rooted her understanding of the disease, with Power's father and grandmother both having been diagnosed with the condition.
Power's father died in 2017 at the age of 63.
She underwent genetic counseling at 18 and received her official diagnosis years later. Power has stated that her diagnosis influenced her to live her life differently. Following her diagnosis, friends organized a backpacking trip for her to various international locations, including Brazil and New Zealand.
Understanding Huntington's Disease
Huntington's disease is characterized by the decay of nerve cells in the brain, impacting an individual's motor skills, cognitive function, and mental health. Symptoms typically manifest between the ages of 30 and 40. The disease is hereditary, meaning it runs in families.
A Glimmer of Hope: New Treatment Development
In September 2025, the Huntington's Disease Association informed Power about a developing treatment. Cath Stanley, the organization's Chief Executive, stated that preliminary results are promising.
Preliminary results indicate this new treatment could potentially slow the disease's progression by up to 75%.
However, there's a significant challenge: the current treatment protocol involves a surgical operation that lasts over 12 hours.
Despite the extensive procedure, Power has expressed optimism regarding this potential treatment.