2026 MitoScholars Helping young adults living with mitochondrial disease pursue their academic dreams

Emily Anderson | Wiarton, Ontario | History and Masters Degree (first year), Wilfrid Laurier University

Emily Anderson lives with Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS), a rare mitochondrial disorder that affects how the body produces energy. For Emily, KSS can cause extreme fatigue, muscle weakness and other physical challenges that can make everyday activities, including getting through a full school day and staying focused for long periods of time, more difficult.

Before receiving her KSS diagnosis, Emily struggled with fatigue and concentration, which affected her schoolwork. With the right supports and a better understanding of how to manage her energy, Emily became a stronger self-advocate and steadily improved academically. By Grade 12, she had raised her average to above 80% and earned the Ontario Scholar award.

Emily has also remained active in her community through volunteer work and a co-op placement with the Bruce Peninsula Hospitals Foundation, where she supported fundraising, events and volunteer recruitment. Her experience has given her a deeper appreciation for the importance of accessible local healthcare and community support.

Emily shares, “I would like to sincerely thank MitoScholars for this amazing opportunity and for selecting me for this scholarship. This scholarship will help with some of the financial costs that come with starting university and take some stress off me, allowing me to focus more on my studies and reaching my goals. I truly appreciate your generosity, support, and the opportunities you provide to students in the mitochondrial disease community.”