MitoAction is a non profit 501 ( c ) (3) dedicated to improving the lives of patients and families living with mitochondrial disease, today!  Mitochondrial disease (“mito”) is a genetic, neurodegenerative disease that occurs when the mitochondria fail to produce energy for cell function. The result of the bodies inability to produce energy can affect a person’s ability to get out of bed, walk, organ failure, strokes, muscle fatigue, stroke and more.

A person can be diagnosed with “mito” at any age.  1 in 4000 infants, children and adults is affected by Mito and as many as 1.5 million Americans may be at risk for mitchondrial disease. Mitochondrial disease is grossly under recognized and often misdiagnosed. There is no cure for mitochondrial disease.  Treatment options are limited and the costs can be financially devastating to patients and families.  Mitochondrial disease is associated with numerous other diseases including autism, cerebral palsy, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cancer, stroke and Parkinson’s.

MitoAction’s mission is to provide specific and practical resources that help patients to understand and manage their symptons.  MitoAction is the only non profit that provides free education, advocacy and awareness for patients and their families.  MitoAction provides (free) programs to patients that include monthly teleconferences that are available for anyone to participate in and also to download from itunes, clinicians guides, a G Tube publication to help children understand and manage their Gtube, an annual awareness walk & 5K run, send a kid to camp program that provides funding for children to attend special mito camp programs; allowing them to experience summer camp like any other child.

MitoAction is funded through community, private and corporate donations.  All funds are allocated directly to the various programs offered.  MitoAction is a great example of an organization leveraging the power of technology to reduce operating expenses; with only three employees, MitoAction is able to provide outreach across the country, serving more than 100,000 while keeping overhead costs at a minimum.

To learn more about MitoAction, please visit MitoAction.org today or email info@mitoaction.org!