As we celebrate 15 years of MitoCanada, we’re sharing the stories of those who make this community so special. Today, we’re sharing the story of Kailey Danks from Ajax, Ontario.
Kailey lives in Ajax with her husband and two kids. Her diagnosis journey began in childhood and stretched over seven years, finally leading to a general mitochondrial disease diagnosis after a muscle biopsy.
“Receiving a mitochondrial disease diagnosis is scary and challenging,” she shares. “With my condition I’ve experienced ptosis (droopy eyelid) and have had four surgeries along with vision loss, chronic pain, respiratory issues, and muscle weakness. But I really appreciate the support and resources I’ve accessed through MitoCanada.”
A pivotal moment came when Kailey connected with Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky and received a diagnosis of CPEO+. In his office, she noticed a poster about MitoCanada, and that connection changed everything.
Through MitoCanada, Kailey became a peer support volunteer and attended the very first mitochondrial disease conference in Canada. She was also provided financial support to attend the UMDF conference in the U.S. “These conferences were life-changing for me as I met others with similar experiences and felt connected and supported,” she says.
Today, Kailey is proud to serve as a MitoCanada mitoAmbassador. “I’m very happy that I’ve just accepted this role,” she says. “I’m looking forward to sharing my story and raising awareness about MitoCanada and mitochondrial disease within my community.”
We’re grateful to Kailey for her courage, her advocacy, and her inspiring commitment to supporting others in the MitoCommunity.
Join us in fuelling the next 15 years. Every donation helps us continue this vital work and create a future where no one faces mito alone.
