Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week

I can honestly say I hate Mitochondrial Disease, specifically Leigh's Disease.  It's a thief in the night, stealing babies far too soon, causing too much suffering... I hope that someday, there is a cure.  For more info on what we can do here in Colorado, how we can make a difference immediately, please visit Landon's Hope.

MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASE AWARENESS WEEK
September 20 - September 26, 2009 is International Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week. During this week we renew our commitment to educate,support and advocate on behalf of mitochondrial disease patients and their families.

On Wednesday, September 23rd, at 10:00 a.m. internationally, families and friends are encouraged to "Light a Light for Mito” in honor of all who are afflicted by Mito and in memory of the babies, children and adults who have lost their battle with mitochondrial disease.

Facts about Mito:

• Every 15 minutes a child is born that will develop mitochondrial disease by age 10.

• It is estimated that of the 4 million children born each year in the United States, up to 4000 develop mitochondrial diseases.

• At least 1 in 200 individuals in the general public have a mitochondrial DNA mutation that may lead to disease.

• There are over 40 identified types of Mitochondrial Diseases and believed to be over 100 variants of mitochondrial diseases, .

• In the United States, more than 50 million adults suffer from diseases in which mitochondrial dysfunction is involved. Mitochondrial dysfunction is found in diseases as diverse as cancer, infertility, diabetes, heart diseases, blindness deafness, kidney disease, liver disease, stroke, migraine, and the toxicity of HIV and other drugs. Mitochondrial dysfunction is also involved in aging and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson and Alzheimer dementia.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) calculates that neurodegenerative diseases, also associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, will become the world's second leading cause of death by the year 2040.