Mitoblog

In my web browsing, I ran across Marcel’s Way. Its a very interesting idea and organization that’s sole purpose is to support mitochondrial patients and their families in New Hampshire.

Some of the interesting things they do are: family vouchers for $5 when a child/patient has a metabolic or mitochondrial appointment at the hospital or if they are admitted to the hospital; grants ranging from $100 to $1000 to help families pay for medical equipment or other items to improve the life of their mito child which are not covered by insurance or other means; and this coming Saturday, May 9th, they are holding a walk-run event to raise money for their organization.

If you live in New Hampshire and you have a mito kid in your family, you should really check this out!

Wouldn’t it be great if we could get organizations like this in all the states or in different areas of the country? Maybe even the local UMDF chapters can look into doing some of these programs. Its the little things that help out dealing with the day to day of mitochondrial disease.

This coming Saturday, May 10th, is the 8th Annual Run Wild for a Cure in Cleveland, Ohio. They will have a 5K event and a 1 mile walk with entertainment, refreshments, a raffle and plenty of fun! The cost ranges from $15 to $25 per person, depending on age, and includes an event tshirt, admission to both the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Rainforest for the WHOLE day, and all the extras after the event! All proceeds will benefit the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation. You can go HERE for more information and to sign up!

My daughter’s team is Team Ainsley – we’d love to have you join us and help raise money to find a cure!

On occasion, I will post about events to support mitochondrial disease awareness and fundraising around the country. There are many events every year, and you can also find them listed on my mitoblog calendar. Take a step toward the cure for mitochondrial disease by coming out to these family-friendly events. You will have fun and will more than likely learn something too!

On October 17, 2009, the Second Annual All Aboard for a Cure – One Mile Walk and Family Fun Day will take place in Thrasher Park in Downtown Historic Norcross, Georgia. Last year’s event was in March, but due to renovations of Thrasher Park from February to May of this year, the event’s date was moved to October.

The event’s Steering Committee (including Yours Truly) indicated that last year was amazing for a first-time event! While only 150 to 200 people were expected, well over 500 people attended the event and over $50,000 was raised for the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation for research toward a cure.

This year’s event will incorporate all the best from last year, as well as some new additions. Expect musical entertainment, balloons, tons of children’s games with prizes, face painting, canine assistance dogs, hair coloring and braiding, and food – all of which is INCLUDED in the registration price – as well as a t-shirt. One of the highlights last year was the raffle of baskets. The raffle tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. You can place the ticket in the raffle for a specific basket that you want to win and winners must be present at the time of the drawing.

The One Mile Walk itself is through the town of Norcross and ends at the entrance to Thrasher Park. The route is mostly flat and is paved, so that strollers, wheelchairs and walkers will have no problems.

If you want to register to attend, learn more about the event, volunteer on the day of the event or in helping prior to the event, sponsoring the event, or even just donating money, products or services, please go to the website – www.umdf.org/atlantawalk. You can also contact the steering committee at atlumdfwalk@gmail.com .

We’d love to see you there!