One year ago, one of our cherished Ambassadors, Liv, sadly passed away after a long battle with mental health. She was a loving daughter, sister and friend. Her dedication to raising awareness about the mental health effects of Huntington's Disease on young people touched countless lives around the world. She simply wanted to help as many people in the HD community as possible.
Liv came into HDYO’s lives in the months leading up to the HDYO Congress in Glasgow, Scotland. As a scholarship recipient, Liv met other young people and Ambassadors and quickly began serving as an advocate for many, emphasizing the importance of building community and accessing resources tailored to individual needs. She shared more about her journey including some of her challenges during HD Awareness Month, showing the many complexities young people face.
Liv often spoke about the impact of attending her first HD event at Congress, encouraging others to make that first step to attend theirs.
The team at University College London also attended an HDYO Congress in Prague, and they wanted to support bringing young people to this event. In Liv’s honor, UCL and HDYO partnered to host an event conjunction with the Park Run in London. Funds were directed to the Olivia (Liv) Martinez Scholarship Fund to assist young people in attending HDYO Congress in 2027, particiularly targeting those who have not yet participate in an HD-related event.
The first event being held in June 2025 where we raised ~£3,000. We are continuing that event again this July 4.
At the Huntington’s Disease Centre in London, we recognize the significance of gatherings like these for young individuals facing the challenges of HD within their families. That’s why we’re uniting to collect funds for future scholarships, helping ensure that even more young people can benefit from these transformative experiences,” shared the UCL Team.
Liv was a bright light in our community — passionate, kind, and always ready to support others. Her presence meant so much to so many, and her loss is deeply felt across our entire ambassador family and beyond. There is still a hole in all of our hearts. By doing this in her honor, we can ensure that her passion for helping others can live on as a legacy that supports so many others in similar situations," said Jenna Heilman, HDYO Executive Director.
