Vanguard University 5K helps grad fight Huntington’s disease

For more than 10 years, Army veteran Nathan Harrington has lived with Huntington’s disease, an inherited condition which causes nerve cells in the brain break down over time.

But that didn’t stop him from participating Saturday in Vanguard University’s 5K Run for Mercy.

Every year since 2013, the Costa Mesa university has dedicated the 5K run to helping the family of a former Vanguard student. This year’s race welcomed about 100 runners and raised almost $3,000 through registration fees and donations.

All proceeds from Saturday were dedicated to supporting Harrington, who graduated from the college in 2014, and his family.

Harrington first began his studies at Vanguard in 1998. But he decided to join the Army after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and served as a chaplain assistant.

He was diagnosed with Huntington’s after two years in the service. He received an honorable discharge.

Those living with Huntington’s typically experience involuntary movements and problems with coordination. They often need home modifications, with ramps in place of stairs and railings on the walls, Harrington said.

The disease is considered incurable.

When Harrington found out he would be the beneficiary of this year’s race, he decided to have the proceeds go toward the Healing Huntington’s Foundation, which he and his wife, Heather, established in Idaho in 2010. The foundation aims to improve the lives of those affected by Huntington’s and to support the search for a cure.

“When Vanguard called me in October and asked if I was OK with them doing this for our family, I was thrilled,” Harrington said. “Then we said we’d give the money to the foundation. There are people who need this more than I do.”

Harrington, his wife and four children traveled from their current home in Clarkson, Wash., to attend the 5K.

Harrington said one of the foundation’s biggest goals is to establish a retirement home for people who have Huntington’s. The community possibly would have special features such as therapy horses, he said.

“We want people to come, feel safe and not feel like they’re in a retirement home, but in a place of living,” Harrington said. “We want to be part of the solution, not just another part of the problem.”