Climbing for a Cause
Our customers use their Horizon Fitness products to help them reach a range of goals. Some simply want to keep their weight down, muscles strong and their hearts and lungs healthy. We've heard incredible success stories, such as impressive and life-saving weight loss and crossing the finish line of a very first 5K. Others have goals to accomplish something a bit more extraordinary.
This is the story of Eric Licht, who is using his Horizon elliptical to help him train for the climb of a lifetime. And by "climb," we mean mountain climb. Licht will be climbing Mount Rainier for a cause some would say is bigger than the mountain itself.
While catching up on some light reading, Licht stumbled upon the story of one man's efforts to climb mountains to raise money for local charities that were important to him. Licht immediately thought of a close friend, Melissa, and her father who was suffering from the crippling effects of Huntington's disease.
Upon doing further research, he learned that Huntington's is a genetic disease, and many are not diagnosed until their 30's or 40's. This meant that not only was Melissa at risk, but so was her newborn baby girl. At that moment, he decided to climb Mount Rainier in August 2007 to raise awareness and funding for Huntington's disease.
We were so impressed with Eric's journey that we asked to come along. Starting this week, horizonfitness.com is going to help track Licht's progress, as we provide updates in subsequent Get Fit Magazine issues. And, if you feel so inclined to help cheer Eric along through a donation to Huntington's disease, please visit his Web site at www.firstgiving.com/ericlicht.
Huntington's disease is a devastating, hereditary, degenerative brain disorder for which there is, at present, no effective treatment or cure. HD slowly diminishes the affected individual's ability to walk, think, talk and reason. Eventually, the person with HD becomes totally dependent upon others for his or her care. Huntington's disease profoundly affects the lives of entire families – emotionally, socially and economically. Research has proven that daily cardiovascular and strength training not only delays onset of HD, but also helps HD patients maintain control of their bodies and minds for a longer time than those who do not exercise. Horizon Fitness is a proud sponsor in the effort to find a cure for Huntington's disease. To learn more, please visit www.hdsa.org.