MITO HOPE and HELP
Reaching out to individuals living with Mitochondrial Diseases
- EVENTS -
- EVENTS -
- Upcoming Events -
Mark your calendar!
- PAST EVENTS-
- PAST EVENTS-
2019 MITO HOPE and HELP Mitochondrial Disease Symposium
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Hilton Garden Inn, Albany Medical Center
8:30 am - 3:30 pm
MITO HOPE and HELP's
7th Annual MITO Family Fun Day
was combined with a
Western Themed Gala this year,
"GIVE MITO THE BOOT"
Sunday, June 3, 2018; Inside Charley's Saloon, in Ghost Town, at the Great Escape/Splashwater Kingdom
RARE DISEASE FILM FESTIVAL
RARE DISEASE FILM FESTIVAL
The Rare Disease Film Festival was a new two day event showcasing films from around the world which address the challenges of life with a rare disease. Most (but not all) of our films were documentaries. Many were less than 20 minutes. The 2017 festival took place in Boston. Boston is one of the cities on the leading edge of genetic research.
Each film maker attending had an opportunity for questions and answers with the audience following the presentation of their film.
Between our slates of films rare disease researchers and patient advocates also shared stories from their experience.
We believe increased awareness can connect patient families, lead to more research and save lives. These films put the often abstract and dire clinical information into the context of real people living their lives.
MITO HOPE and HELP'S 6th Annual MITO FAMILY FUN DAY
Sunday, June 11th 2017
October 30th 2015:
MITO HOPE and HELP's
4th Annual Mitochondrial Disease Symposium.
Please visit our 2015 SYMPOSIUM RECAP page, where you can view photos, powerpoint presentations and an overview of this event.
June 7, 2015
The smiles on their faces says it all!!!
Many thanks to our generous supporters who made our 2015 MITO Family Fun Day possible.
Offering our MITO Community the opportunity to come together is priceless! Every year new families join us and old friends are reunited.
3/3/2015,
MITO HOPE and HELP represented our MITO Community at NORD's 2015 Rare Disease Day event held in Albany New York.
Assemblyman John McDonald and Senator John Bonacic spoke along with a number of patients and organizations, including MITO HOPE and HELP.
Mitochondrial disease was a focus topic this year.
Thank you to NORD for sponsoring this valuable opportunity and to Jennessa Freihofer for spearheading the 2015 Rare Disease Day event!
Those representing MITO HOPE and HELP were,
Catherine LaFond-Evans, Jennifer McCullough and Angelina Hayner.
Please visit our 2014 3rd Annual MITO Symposium page for a recap of our symposium.
MITO HOPE and HELP held it's 3rd Annual Mito Family Fun Day at the Great Escape on Sunday June 8th, 2014.
This year's Family Fun Day was made possible in part by the Golub Foundation / Price Chopper, Stewart's Holiday Match Program and TD Bank.
We thank these local businesses for their generosity and support of our MITO Community!!!
"Miracles in the Mountains for MITO"
An informal FUN Gala, to benefit MITO HOPE and HELP was held April 26, 2014 at The Lodge on Echo Lake.
The following Gala speech was presented by:
Catherine LaFond-Evans, founder of MITO HOPE and HELP.
I’d like to thank you for coming out tonight and for your support on behalf of our entire MITO Community!
While this may be our first Gala,…. since MITO HOPE and HELP’s inception in September of 2010, we have been very active in the community and I’d love to share with you just some of what we’ve been able to accomplish over the past 3 ½ years.
Our primary focus is on providing more of the specialized, coordinated medical care and support services that are so vital to the well-being of those living with Mitochondrial disease.
The majority of our MITO community remains in desperate need of these basic essentials, which are significantly lacking on all levels. For our adult MITO patients they are basically non-existent.
We’re addressing these crucial issues via our multidisciplinary team, which consists of staff from WWAARC and the genetics and metabolism Dept. at Albany Medical Center. Together, we’re diligently working to fund a MITO Nurse Practitioner liaison who will be instrumental in helping fill the current void that exists.
Additionally, we recognize that education and communication, in our local communities, is also a key component to improved patient care.
It is an understatement to say, Mitochondrial diseases are poorly understood and under recognized.
Sadly, and all too often this leads to MITO patients and their families being subjected to further unnecessary pain and suffering. The ensuing consequences stemming directly from this tremendous lack of knowledge and understanding of mitochondrial diseases can be every bit as devastating, if not more so, than MITO itself. An example of this, many of you may be familiar with, which has thrust Mitochondrial disease into the national spotlight over the past year, is the Justina Pelletier story.
This November will mark our 3rd Annual Mitochondrial Disease Symposium, an invaluable opportunity MITO HOPE and HELP offers to local healthcare and support services providers.
Another event we are proud to offer is our Annual MITO Family Fun Day at the Great Escape. All MITO patients and their families are treated to a FUN filled day, but most importantly they have a rare opportunity to come together, form bonds and share experiences with others who are living and dealing with the multitude of problems which are unique to Mitochondrial disease.
Fortunately, MITO HOPE and HELP is not alone in offering help to our local MITO community in the surrounding 26 counties of Northeastern NY.
It is a GREAT pleasure for me to be able to network with our allies in the local MITO community who aid us in our ongoing mission and compliment our efforts.
Some of MITO HOPE and HELP’s partners are here with us tonight and I’d like to acknowledge them:
First, is our parent organization, N Y State ARC, Warren, Washington and Albany Counties Chapters. Staying true to ARC’s founding families mission, they reached out to MITO HOPE and HELP, offering not only their vast array of resources but a commitment to helping us meet the numerous unmet needs of our MITO community.
We have with us tonight, Anne-Marie Lockhart, board president of WWAARC.
She is also tonight’s Honorary Chairperson.
Besides my parents, Roland and Sandra LaFond, who have always been there for my family and me in every way possible, there’s not one person who has helped us more throughout our daily, ongoing, uphill battles associated with MITO than Anne-Marie. She first came into our lives as my daughters’ teacher of the visually impaired. She’s gotten to intimately know our family over the past 25 plus years and there’s nothing she hasn’t been through with us, making her our greatest advocate and dear, special friend!
John Von Ahn, the executive director of WWAARC, has also taken time to join us on this special occasion.
As well, we have Jennifer McCullough, WWAARC’s new Senior Director of PR & Development, along with Peter Guidarelli WWAARC’s Director of Grants and Government Relations. Jen and Peter are also integral members of our multidisciplinary team.
We have some of our genetics and metabolism team from Albany Med with us:
Dr. Natasha Shur, is this regions newest and only clinical geneticist. She joined Albany Medical Center’s genetics and metabolism dept in September 2013, and has quickly become an outspoken advocate for her patients. You’ll hear from Dr. Shur a little later this evening.
Cheryl Clow, RN and metabolic clinical care coordinator, (who is often confused with Julia Roberts , what can I say, she makes me say this whenever I introduce her.)
Actually, Cheryl is a local celebrity, she was Albany Medical Center’s 2013 employee of the year! Our MITO community is very lucky to have Cheryl, and this is a distinction well deserved. Her devotion to all the patients she cares for goes above and beyond her job description. If we could only clone Cheryl we’d be OK!
I’d also like to acknowledge another member of our local genetics and metabolism dept even though she couldn’t be with us tonight. Kayt Marra, who is a certified nutritionist and dietician, has been one of MITO HOPE and HELP’s biggest sources of guidance and support from the beginning. Her commitment to helping others is remarkable, she selflessly gives up her spare time to help several local rare disease and non-profit groups. In fact that is why she couldn’t be here, she’s attending an international genetics and metabolism conference in Dallas Texas offering her expertise, advocacy and support to others.
All three of these exceptionally dedicated individuals work around the clock for our local Mito community! LITERALLY, they have to because these three individuals are our MITO communities only trained and knowledgeable MITO providers, whom we all rely on 24/7.
Throughout the year, MITO HOPE and HELP proudly joins forces with two local non-profits who are also committed to raising awareness about mitochondrial disease. They offer financial support to children and their families, broadening the aid we can provide our MITO community.
The first is: Amanda’s Journey Foundation, which was created by Jackie and Louis Perrotta in memory of their daughter Amanda who passed at age 16 due to mitochondrial disease. The second is: The Thomas Patrick Morrison Foundation, established by Carmelina and Tim Morrison to carry out their infant son Tommy’s legacy, who’s life was also claimed by MITO.
We would not exist nor would any of our work be possible without the support we receive from ALL of our supporters!
Whether you’re one of our devoted ongoing supporters, or this is your first time supporting MITO HOPE and HELP, I want you to know that we rely solely on fundraising events like tonight’s Gala and others throughout the year to fund all of the events and services we provide to our entire MITO community.
I founded MITO HOPE and HELP, in memory of my oldest daughter, Randi. She and I often spoke of and envisioned a day when every MITO patient would have available to them appropriate and adequate medical care and support services administered by trained, knowledgeable providers.
Randi’s ultimate dream was to have a special hospital, similar to St. Jude, for MITO patients of ALL ages.
While we realize Randi’s ultimate dream is a ways off, our deep grass root efforts have taken hold.
Thank you everyone, for sharing our vision, it means a great deal to my family and me!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
We have many individuals and businesses to thank for making “MIRACLES IN THE MOUNTAINS FOR MITO” such a wonderful success!
I’d like to start with our Honorary Committee, Roland and Sandra LaFond, John Von Ahn and Anne- Marie Lockhart our Honorary Chairperson.
Our GOLD level, PLUS, Sponsor: St Cecila’s Catholic Community and Pastoral Council
Our SILVER Level Sponsor: Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company
Our BRONZE level Sponsors:
Kevin Luibrand of Luibrand Law and
Dr. Frederick Dreher
GRACIOUS DONORS:
Lizzie Keays, Denise and Shawn Lamouree, Lake George Steamboat Co., Six Flags / Great Escape, Jimmer Fredette Family Foundation, Jan Higgins/Hobby Horse Playschool, St. Cecilia’s Pastoral Council, Anne and Al Rohe, Lisa and Wayne LaMothe, Kayt and Michael Marra, Roland and Sandra LaFond, Anne-Marie Lockhart, Frederick Dreher DDS, PC, Richard and Joan Ouellette, Marjorie Peters, Pauline Dusek, Paul and Kathy Dusek, Peggy LaFond, Kerri and Andrew Shpur, Hildy and Dale Monroe/ Adirondack Landscaping, Florence Lapoint, Father Paul Cox, Adam and Taryn Hadcock.
In addition I want to thank our dear friends from Adirondack Ambiance, Al and Anne Rohe . Anne Rohe sold her beautiful Adirondack note cards at our Gala to benefit MITO HOPE and HELP. The Rohe’s are the artisan’s who handmade and hand-painted the Adirondack chairs for our silent auction. Throughout the year they also help out with our many endeavors of raising awareness and funds for MITO HOPE and HELP.
A special thanks goes out to Dr. Natasha Shur for honoring us with her presence and presentation. Our Mito community is very appreciative that you took the time from your very busy schedule, juggling your roles of motherhood and physician, to advocate for us and support us.
Thank you to Seeley Office Systems for creating and printing and our Gala programs free of charge! Your generous contribution will allow us to offer our MITO community more of the crucial services they so desperately need.
TY to Sandra LaFond for making the cupcakes.
TY to DJ Dawn from Dancin’ Time.
TY to The staff at the Echo Lake Lodge for your help and service!
And last but not least, a BIG Thank you to EVERYONE who purchased tickets and attended our Gala!
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MITO HOPE and HELP is committed to working
with our ENTIRE Rare Disease Community!
We started our day off with Dr. Adams' presentation:
"ADVANCES IN PKU THERAPEUTICS"
Darius Adams MD,
Dr. Adams completed his internship and residency in genetics at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in NYC, where he received comprehensive training in genetics and dysmorphology. He remained at Mount Sinai for an additional year to complete a fellowship in Metabolic / Biochemical Genetics.
Dr. Adams was certified as a Clinical Geneticist by the American Board of Medical Genetics in September 2002 and 2012 and as a Clinical Biochemical Geneticist in September of 2005.
Dr. Adams joined the pediatrics dept at Albany Medical Center in July 2003 as an attending physician and Assistant Professor. He is now director of the Personalized Genomic Medicine Program at Atlantic Health System in Morristown, NJ and continues to consult with the Division of Genetics and Metabolism at Albany Medical Center.
Catherine LaFond-Evans
Cathy Founded MITO HOPE and HELP in September 2010, in memory of her daughter, to ensure Randi's dream becomes a reality...
EVERYONE LIVING WITH MITO WILL HAVE AVAILABLE TO THEM THE SPECIALIZED, COORDINATED, MEDICAL CARE AND SUPPORT SERVICES WHICH ARE CRUCIAL TO THEIR WELL-BEING!
Cathy presented an overview of how MITO affects us and the daily challenges we are forced to endure. Many brought about or compounded by the tremendous lack of essential, appropriate, medical care and support services.
Our Symposium touched upon a full spectrum of not only the scientific and clinical aspects associated with MITO but the all important patient perspectives on Mitochondrial diseases as well.
Carmelina Morrison
Carmelina and her husband Tim created The Thomas Patrick Morrison Foundation to honor their son, Tommy's legacy.
Carmelina shared Tommy's "Baby" MITO story with us.
Jackie Perrotta
Jackie and her husband Louis established Amanda's Journey Foundation so they could carry on the mission their sweet daughter, Amanda, began; helping other children and their families living with Mitochondrial Disease.
Jackie shared Amanda's "Child" MITO story.
Lisa LaMothe
Lisa presented her MITO story, an
"Adult" MITO patient's perspective.
One of the biggest misconceptions about MITO is that it only affects babies.
Cheryl Clow RN
Cheryl is currently working as the RN in the Section of Genetics / Metabolism at Albany Medical Center. She began her career 23 years ago with AMC working for the Dept. of Pediatric Endocrinology, where inborn errors of metabolism and the new born screening program was first located. She obtained her certification of Diabetes Educator during that time. Cheryl has worked in the section of Genetics for the past 10 years, facilitating care for newborns with metabolic disorders and working with the mitochondrial disorders population.
Cheryl presented: "PROVIDING CARE FOR THE MITO PATIENT and
"CASE PROFILES OF HOW MITO AFFECTS MULTIPLE BODY SYSTEMS"
Kayt Marra MA,CD-N
Mrs. Marra completed her Bachelor of Science in 1993 and Master of Arts in Social Policy in 2011 both at Empire State College.
She is a Certified Dietician-Nutritionist in NY. She is a member of the Society of Clinical Research Associates and Genetic Metabolic Dieticians International.
Kayt has spent the better part of the past 30 years at Albany Medical center. In 2003 she returned as an interim dietician in the Section of Genetics and Metabolism and never left. She enjoys creating novel educational programs that assist patients in developing the skills necessary to manage chronic disease. Her additional professional interests include research and grant writing.
Kayt presented: "NUTRITION AND MITO & INSURANCE HURDLES" and
"COVERING MITO TREATMENTS"
Natasha Shur MD
Dr. Shur completed her medical education at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She completed both her pediatric residency and genetics training at Montefiore Medical Center. She then taught at Brown University and worked at Rhode Island Hospital for 5 years. Currently, she is a clinical geneticist at Albany Medical Center. She has expertise in dysmorphology and the genetics of twinning.
Dr. Shur presented: "VACCINES AND MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASE: THE MEDIA VERSUS THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS"
Dr. Adams presenting: "THE SCIENCE BEHIND MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASES AND DIAGNOSIS"
John Nash LMSW
John Nash's early years in human services were spent sharing his creative energy with children who were emotionally challenged in settings such as psychiatric units, residential treatment, and schools. He then went on to obtain a Masters degree in Social Work and graduated from the State University of New York in 1994. After graduation he worked as a medical social worker with a visiting nurses program with people affected by HIV and AIDS. He then spent 6 years working for a Hospice program as a medical social worker and coordinator of the bereavement program. Since August of 2001 he has worked in the capacity of a Medical Social Worker at the Cystic Fibrosis Program and the Pediatric Genetics Department at Albany Medical center.
John presented: "ENHANCING COMMUNICATION AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS: THE KEY TO END OF LIFE CARE"
We rounded-out our day with a PANEL DISCUSSION
MITO HOPE and HELP would like to acknowledge and thank the following supporters for making our Symposium possible:
Solace Nutrition, Empire Home Infusion Services, Nutricia NA, Vitaflo USA, The National PKU Alliance,
The Lake George Rotary Foundation,
The Thomas Patrick Morrison Foundation,
Double H Ranch, and St. Cecilia's Catholic Community of Warrensburg
We would also like to thank Mary Doherty, mother of three children with Mitochondrial disease. Mary volunteered and joined our panel discussion.
Taryn and Adam Hadcock, parents of two teens with MITO who were invaluable volunteers.
WWAARC, our parent organization, for their continued support!
And to ALL, who played a part in making our 2nd Annual Mitochondrial Disease Symposium a success, THANK YOU!!!
Below is just one of many positive responses we received from attendees at our 2013 Symposium:
"I was so impressed by your team on Wednesday. Your patients are lucky to have you."
Lisa
TO THE MOON AND BACK FOR MITO GALA
Amanda's Journey Foundation Is celebrating 5 years of continuing Amanda's legacy of supporting children and their families with MITO!
The gala will be held at Moscatello's Restaurant, 99 North Greenbush Road, (Route 4) Troy NY, 12180 on November 16, 2013.
PLEASE help the Perrotta's celebrate this milestone and their unwavering commitment to our local MITO community!
Jacki and Louis Perrotta
MITO HOPE and HELP is committed to working with our rare disease community! We have a long-standing relationship with the PKU sector so please consider attending the upcoming fundraiser in honor of Logan.
September 15th 2013, kicked off Global Mitochondrial Disease Week and
MITO HOPE and HELP began this important week-long awareness campaign by showing Rina's Magic Bracelet movie at the Great Escape.
It was good to see everyone again!!! Help us spread the word all year-long!
For those of you who missed it, here's a clip form
Rina's Magic Bracelet Movie
TO THE MOON AND BACK
2013 WALK FOR MITO
In memory of Amanda Perrotta
Sponsored by Amanda's Journey Foundation
September 29th, 2013
This year's walk will be held in Schenectady Central Park
For further details please visit amandasjourney.org
MITO HOPE and HELP's 2nd annual MITO Family Fun Day June, 2nd 2013
This rare, yearly opportunity for our local MITO community to come together is FREE for our MITO families and made possible by generous supporters in our communities!
The weather didn't cooperate for long but the majority of our families were able to attend and enjoy the Great Escape and each others company for a few hours!
Everything MITO HOPE and HELP does is dedicated to and in memory of ALL our MITO angels! Forgot to mention this at our Family Fun Day!
They forgot my microphone!
Thanks again to Melissa Cummings for coming to the rescue and taking pictures!
THANK YOU St. Cecilias Catholic Community!!!
Once again, this Lent, the Catholic Community of St. Cecilia's in Warrensburg NY has offered their support to MITO HOPE and HELP in the form of alms and prayers. MITO HOPE and HELP proudly updated our supporters at St. Cecilia's, this first week of Lent, about all the strides we've been able to make for our MITO Community over the past year with their on-going help. Please visit our NEWS page for more details.
November 13, 2012 - Fort William Henry, Lake George, NY.
1st annual MITO SYMPOSIUM sponsored by MITO HOPE and HELP
with support from Solace Nutrition.
Our 2012, MITO symposium was made possible because of the combined efforts of many!
THANK YOU to Dr. Darius Adams, for speaking, all of the time spent filling out yet more paperwork and preparing for this event. Your ongoing commitment to our MITO community is truly OUTSTANDING!
THANK YOU Cheryl Clow, RN, Dr. Adams nurse and right hand woman. She is also always involved in helping making a difference in the lives of our MITO community. Cheryl was involved with a great deal of behind the scenes preparations.
THANK YOU Kayt Marra, certified dietician and so much more, who also works with Dr. Adams and Cheryl. These are the three people, locally, who come to mind whenever MITO is mentioned. They are the three individuals, for whom we, the MITO community rely on 24/7.
THANK YOU to our volunteers, who manned our reception tables, Lisa LaMothe, Sandra LaFond, and Mrs Anne Rohe, who also graciously donated all sales of her beautiful Adirondack note cards at the symposium to benefit MITO HOIPE and HELP.
THANK YOU to our dear friends Jacki and Louis Perrotta for joining us and representing Amanda’s Journey Foundation, established in memory of their sweet angel daughter Amanda.
THANK YOU to Solace Nutrition for their support and to Nancy, Tom and Roman for all of your help!
THANK YOU to Empire Home Infusion Services for joining us.
THANK YOU to Ms. Kim Ladd our photographer and editor of our beautiful and informative profiles which were located in the lobby.
THANK YOU to all of those in our MITO community who shared their MITO stories and photos!
THANK YOU to WWARC, more specifically Mr. John Von Ahn, Executive director of WWARC and Anne Marie Lockhart the president of the board of WWARC. From the very beginning WWARC reached out to MITO HOPE and HELP, in turn allowing MITO HOPE and HELP to offer our MITO community the help and support that is so desperately needed!
THANK YOU to all of the staff at the Fort William Henry who helped make our symposium a success.
And last but not least, we want to THANK everyone who attended our MITO Symposium on mitochondrial diseases.
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!
Please also be sure to visit amandasjournery.org, and click on their NEWS page. Watch the video/slide show which perfectly captured the passion expressed at our MITO SYMPOSIUM.
On Saturday October 6th 2012 the Cummings family held its 3rd annual "Shawna's Walk For Wishes." Shawna along with her brother and their mom all have MITO and belong to our local MITO community.
You can learn more by visiting Shawna's Walk for Wishes page at the link below.
Melissa Cummings -
Thank you to all who came out and shared the beautiful day. You helped make wishes come true, we raised $10,000!!!! Amazing job everyone!
The Cummings Family
On Saturday September 22, 2012 The Perrotta family hosted a family fun day at Snyder's Lake. As many of you know Jackie and Lou Perrotta lost their daughter, Amanda, to mitochondrial disease in 2008.
In Amanda's memory they established Amanda's Journey Foundation, amandasjourney.org
6/3/2012
MITO HOPE and HELP's 1st Family Fun Day at the Great Escape.
It was great to see everyone reunite with previous acquaintances while also getting to meet new members of our MITO community! Those gathered, represented a broad spectrum of ages, many different forms of MITO and individuals in various stages of this disease. Regardless, we all have one thing in common, we are all living and dealing with MITO!
MITO HOPE and HELP was founded in memory of Randi.
However, MITO HOPE and HELP was created and exists for ALL of us and our families, living with MITO.
MITO HOPE and HELP is dedicated to ALL of our loved ones lost to MITO.
MITO HOPE and HELP welcomes YOUR participation because together, as a UNIFIED MITO COMMUNITY, we can make a difference!!!
Thank you to Anne Marie Lockhart, president of New York State ARC, Warren and Washington Counties chapter, for speaking at our Family Fun Day. WWARC reached out to MITO HOPE and HELP from the start. MITO HOPE and HELP is privileged and honored to join forces with an organization that is so highly recognized and respected in our community for outstanding service to individuals with special needs of all ages.
I also want to thank all of MITO HOPE and HELP's supporters and volunteers who have given of themselves and/or donated throughout the year, to make such an event possible!!!
Lisa LaMothe was the winner of the $100.00 gift card! Lisa's name was drawn from those individuals who obtained 5 or more TD Bank supporters for MITO HOPE and HELP.
June 4th-5th 2012
AMERICADE TICKET SALES
MITO HOPE and HELP was chosen by the Lake George Rotary once again this year, as one of several local charities, to benefit from 2012 Americade ticket sales. MITO HOPE and HELP thanks those who volunteered their time to assist us with this years ticket sales! In addition to those pictured above the following individuals also helped, Roland and Sandra LaFond and Mrs. Anne Rohe.
I know many of you, in our MITO community, asked me who to thank for our MITO Family Fun Day. Its all of our volunteers and supporters throughout the year who give of themselves and/or make donations that make such events possible! YOUR participation is always welcomed and appreciated!
Pictures from St. Cecilia's breakfast buffet, April 1st, 2012.
St. Cecilia's Catholic Community chose to support MITO HOPE and HELP through a several week Lenten project. A presentation to raise awareness of Mitochondrial diseases kicked off the project during masses February 18- 19th and wrapped up with a breakfast buffet on April 1st.
I want to extend a very heartfelt thank you to EVERYONE!!!
Your support enables me to continue both of my daughters mission, of raising awareness and helping others afflicted by MITO.
St. Cecilia's surpassed its fundraising goal of $3,000. The grand total was $4,797.50, WOW!!!
THANK YOU!!!
SGF MARATHON DANCERS
Along with everyone else who made the marathon possible!
MARCH 2nd-3rd, 2012
MITO HOPE and HELP was privileged to be one of this year's recipients.
The grand total raised, was over $395,000.00
WAY TO GO S. H. MARATHON DANCERS!!!
I hope that the deep sense of pride and achievement you all feel is treasured for the rest of your lives!
You've earned it!
You've done so much for so many!
This was our families second experience with the SGF Marathon Dance.
This photo was taken at the 2010 South High Marathon Dance, when both Randi and Brooke were recipients.
MITO HOPE and HELP was established in memory of Randi so that we could carry on the mission which she began.
Here are some pictures from the marathon dance 2012
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE ________________________________________________________________________________
Here are some more pictures from the 3rd annual walk for MITO. It was good to see so many different families /groups come together for this wonderful event that raises much needed awareness and funds for our local MITO community!
MITO/PKU AWARENESS EVENT
OCTOBER 9TH, 2011
THANK YOU, to our family and friends who helped Mito Hope and Help raise awareness and funds during the Fine Art Show held August 26th and 27th! A good time was had by all! Anne and Al Rohe, owners of Adirondack Ambiance located in Thurman NY, hosted the art show. Artist Joe Mc Chesney and his family, Donna, Todd and Rosalie joined in to make this a wonderful event. Participants were pleasantly surprised and entertained by two very talented musicians, Lou Strausser and Joe Santa Lucia, playing their banjos, mandolins and guitars. The Rohe's offered free hot dogs and sweet corn on the cob to all who attended. Brooke Evans sold drinks and snacks to benefit Mito Hope and Help. Besides handing out brochures we sold note cards, books, and prints of Anne Rohe's paintings to raise funds for Mito Hope and Help.
Adirondack Ambiance
792 State Rte 418
Thurman Station NY
Brooke Evans
Joe and Donna Mc Chesney
A display of just some of the 100's of original art pieces that were for sale
Sandra LaFond,
Roland LaFond also assisted with trucking/ hauling supplies
VERY GRACIOUS HOSTS!
Anne and Al Rohe
Musicians- Lou Strausser and Joe Santa Lucia
NAP TIME!
THANK YOU, LAKE GEORGE ROTARY!!!
June 6th-11th Americade was held in our neighboring community, Lake George N.Y. Several of our local Mito families and friends assisted the Lake George Rotary Club in selling raffle tickets for a 2012 Honda gold-wing or 2011 Harley Davidson, the winners choice. I'd like to thank all of our volunteers, for a job well done! Everyone had a good time and we all met a lot of very nice people, while raising awareness of mitochondrial diseases. A BIG THANK YOU, to the Lake George Rotary for this wonderful opportunity to benefit Mito Hope and Help's endowment fund!!! The Lake George Rotary will present Mito Hope and Help with a check later this summer. We were one of several organizations chosen this year to receive a grant.
SUMMARY OF
3rd ANNUAL MITO AWARENESS DAY
APRIL, 2nd, 2011-
OAKWOOD BIBLE CHURCH
DISPLAY TABLES
MAKE - A - WISH
NORTHEAST HEALTHCARE
THE OLEY FOUNDATION
MITO HOPE and HELP
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
MASS MUTUAL
DOUBLE H RANCH
Welcome and announcements by our sponsors, for this years Mito awareness day, Carmelina Morrison and Jackie Perrotta,
Please visit our sponsors' organizations for further details on their missions in our mito community!
Jackie made the following announcements; We are currently working with The Double H Ranch, in Lake Luzerne, to try and offer a Mito family weekend that will be fun and educational.
Amanda's Journey Foundation has been asked, by the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation to attend its annual symposium.
www.oley.org Roslyn spoke to us about the vast array of services provided by The Oley Foundation which has a branch based at Albany Med but is independent of Albany Med. Their nationwide mission is to assist individuals and families with tube and or intravenous feedings through, the dissemination of information, research, online chats, resources, education, peer support, newsletters, an exchange program which includes formulas and much more. Please visit their website to access these and many more services available.
Physical Therapist, Mimi O'Connor, spoke about the importance and role physical therapy plays in the mito patients overall well being. She also addressed some of the unique challenges the mito patient faces vs. the general population in regard to PT.
Kayt Marra, CDN, from the peds. genetics dept at Albany Med. presented a power point presentation -
"IT'S JUST GOOD NUTRITION - THE CARB CONNECTION"
CLICK ON THE ABOVE LINK TO VIEW KAYT'S POWER POINT PRESENTATION!
Kayt also wanted to make everyone aware of a bill up for vote in the legislature, right now. It's named, "the medical foods equity act." It includes mito supplements and is important for anyone who requires such supplements as Cyto Q, Carnitine and B vitamins that your insurance doesn't cover. Everyone should immediately contact their local constituents in the legislature and ask to have the medical foods equity act passed into law!!!
Alice Houghtaling, Pediatric Palliative Care Chaplin from Albany Medical Center, spoke to us about the importance of creating consistent relationships we can count on. Alice also conducted a mini retreat session with the audience to get them to relax and reflect on the positive things in our lives.
Yes, that's me throwing beach balls with Mito Hope and Help's logo into the audience. After describing Mito Hope and Help's mission and what we have to offer the mito community, I concluded by saying; "Although I fully understand that there is nothing fun about mitochondrial diseases, we all need to take the time to have a little fun!" My daughter Randi taught me this! She was a child at heart and always kept us submerged in the lighter, simpler, aspects of life. Since Mito Hope and Help was established in memory of Randi, she'd want you all to have a ball, enjoy!
Dr. Darius Adams- Pediatric Genetics Dept. at Albany Medical Center
Dr. Adams spoke to us about "The Medical Home Model",which is a nation-wide computer based service that allows increased communication amongst patient's health care providers. Initially there were concerns over legality issues but to date there have been no adverse problems since the program began, aprox.1 year ago. This means of stored information and communication is superior to the old fashioned paper trail for many reasons. The medical home service is safeguarded by the use of passwords which are given to physicians, the patient and or their family members for access.
You can find further details at this website- www.medicalhomeinfo.org The patients medical history, including medications, the latest office notes, protocols, anything the physician deems appropriate to aide in a patients care can all be stored and accessed by those possessing the passwords. There are also a number of flash drive systems available in the marketplace geared toward the private consumer. Some of the differences between the services are as follows;
1- The private flash drive services usually charge a fee vs. the medical home which is free to use.
2- The information entered into the medical home service is exclusively done by physicians because its considered a patients legal medical record. The private flash drive info. is entered by the patient and or family members. Therefore, this can bring up the issue of validation of the information provided.
Photos, from the 3rd Annual Mito Awareness Day, courtesy of Tom Lindsay