We have blogged about this event already couple of times (here and here). It's important enough for all of us here that it's worth highlighting again. Coach Howland and the UCLA basketball program are holding a fun fundraiser tomorrow to raise money for Huntington's Disease. The official site has the details:

UCLA Head Men's Basketball Coach Ben Howland  and his wife, Kim, will serves as honorary co-chairs of the 2nd Annual HDSA LA Hoop-A-Thon. The event will take place in legendary Pauley Pavilion on Friday, Aug. 27, 2010 from 6-10 p.m. On hand will be former UCLA players Arron Afflalo, Darren Collison, Ryan Hollins and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, as well as other former players and current members of the Bruins' 2010-11 squad.

UCLA has partnered up with the Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) in an effort to raise money and awareness to find a cure for this devastating illness. The Hoop-A-Thon is a one-of-a-kind speed free-throw shooting contest. Prizes will be awarded to the winning teams. A team of 10 will cost $950.00 to compete.

For individuals wishing to attend the event and watch as well as mingle with current and former UCLA Basketball players, the cost will be $125.00. You will be able to sample food and spirits from some of Los Angeles' best restaurants. There will also be a silent auction with some very special and unique items. Some of the incredible prizes and silent auction items include autographed shoes by Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, Ron Artest, Luke Walton, Derek Fisher, Josh Powell, Shannon Brown and Michael Jordan, as well as UCLA signed memorabilia, a painting of John R. Wooden, vacation packages and a Luau for 20 people.

For Coach Howland this is personal because his father-in-law, Arlo Zahnow had Huntington's Disease. More from the official site:

HD is a devastating genetic disorder that causes uncontrollable body movements and deprives people of their abilities to walk, talk, eat and think rationally. This disease is currently incurable and it is fatal.

The gene that causes HD is a mutant of a normal gene. The defective gene causes chemical changes in nerve cells that damages brain structures leading to symptoms. The process that causes nerve cells to die in HD may have similarities to other, more common, disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Insights into HD may prove useful to understanding these other disorders.

So if you are out in LA, please consider attending the event tomorrow and help Coach Howland and rest of our Bruins out. Not only you get to have fun hanging around UCLA hoopsters but also play a small part in advancing a greater cause.

GO BRUINS.