A fundraiser for a rare inherited disease that’s drastically affected a Menlo family has been two years in the making and is set to take place around Guthrie and nearby counties this Saturday.

Sisters Whitney, Holly, and Cheyenne Jensen are hosting the Cruisin’ for a Cure “fun run” event in which the public can ride on their motorcycle, classic or sports car, or other vehicle to various locations for food, drinks, and other entertainment. The Jensens are charging a $10 registration fee that will go towards Huntington’s Disease research and scholarships for those wishing to attend the Huntington’s Disease National Youth Alliance convention. Holly says the NYA has been another family for her, as it gathers young people who have been affected by Huntington’s, which causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain, and often first appears when people are in their 30s or 40s. The Jensen’s father died in 2015 from the disease, preceded by the death of their sister Kayla who was diagnosed with juvenile HD and the death of their mother who lost her battle with cancer. HD has a 50% chance of passing on to the next generation, and Whitney and Holly have both tested positive.

The fundraiser was rescheduled from last year due to Cheyenne’s battle with leukemia. While they cancelled having a party bus in light of COVID-19, Holly says they are still determined to hold an event that will be the first for years to come, “We have always had a very strong community, they’ve always been there for us. My mom went through cancer, my dad went through Huntington’s, my sister went through Huntington’s, and then my other sister went through cancer and the local community that supports us, is always beyond words. We always have so many people that want to be involved and want to help and want to do something, and so I think we’re going to have a really good turnout because I think this is a way that people can help and people can have a good time.”

Cruisin’ for a Cure will begin with check in at 9 a.m. at Shorts Place in Menlo, and will end with a family friendly night at the Miller residence. More information on the event can be found by visiting here.