Movement for Mito
Movement for Mito
Thank you to Kaylee and our friends at LivvWell Wellness Hub for hosting the inaugural Movement for Mito class in Airdrie, Alberta.
The event brought 10 participants together for a 50-minute yoga class thoughtfully and gently guided by instructor Cherokee Seufert. Participants also received special “Power Packs” from Kaylee, and MitoCanada Board member Carter Ensign joined the event to share more about MitoCanada and why raising funds and awareness for mitochondrial disease matters.
Together, the community raised $774.75 for MitoCanada, with more than 15 people contributing to the fundraiser!
Some words from Kaylee Buckler, community organizer of Movement for Mito:
Kaylee has lived with mitochondrial disease her whole life. At the age of four, Kaylee’s mother became suddenly ill after having a medical emergency at home. Through genetic testing, it was confirmed that she had MELAS, During the next few years, she spent most of her time in the hospital and long-term living facilitates, until she unfortunately passed away at the age of 45. Twelve years later, Kaylee’s dad also developed similar symptoms, and was tested and diagnosed with Kearns Sayre Syndrome, another rare form of mitochondrial disease. He passed away shortly before her 19th birthday. She would also lose her aunt to MELAS in 2019.
This organization is extremely close to my heart, because it has severely impacted my family throughout my entire lifetime. It has consumed my family planning efforts, my educational goals, emotional and physical capacity, and my occupational skills. Although I continue to try to be a light in my community, I would love to see further research to support a better understanding of mitochondrial disease, as I feel like it can have such a significant impact on affected families’ mental health and physical wellbeing. I appreciate the support of my friends and family in my many endeavours, and I am grateful for the opportunity to help bring awareness to mitochondrial disease.
Exercise as Medicine
Mitochondria are present in almost every cell in the human body. Creating more than 90% of our required energy, our mitochondria transform the food we eat and oxygen we breathe into essential energy, which keeps our hearts beating, lungs breathing, brains thinking, and bodies moving.
When mitochondria don’t function properly, they don’t produce the energy we need. Mitochondrial disease commonly affects energy-intensive systems such as the heart, liver, kidneys, brain, muscles, digestive tract, eyes and ears.
For those living with mitochondrial disease, daily exercise is essential to your health. From improving strength and energy levels to reducing fatigue, stress and anxiety, exercise offers many important benefits that can be gained with even small increases in physical activity.
If you have mitochondrial disease, safe and mindful exercises can be highly beneficial. Exercise can improve mitochondrial quantity and function, improve muscle strength, and help reduce fatigue.
The benefits of exercise extend to every part of the body and improve mitochondrial health. Exercise advantages for everyone include:
- increasing production of healthy mitochondria which means more energy!
- growing muscle strength and joint health
- boosting energy and stamina
- supporting brain health
- helping to maintain blood pressure control
- supporting the reduction of anxiety and depression
- helping to maintain a healthy weight
- increasing the body’s ability to use oxygen while exercising (VO2max)
- improving quality of life
Taylor and Chris Collins lost their 5-month-old son Miller to an extremely rare form of MT-TL1-related mitochondrial disease in October 2025. Although devastatingly short, Miller lived a beautiful life surrounded by family and full of playdates with his baby friends. He spent the majority of his life at their family’s cabin in Point Roberts enjoying the fresh ocean air, sunshine, and walks along the beach all summer long.
Meet Tanner 
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Kailani Gorzo. Kailani was beautiful, she meant everything to her family and friends, and her love ran deep. Being around her made you feel special, seen, and truly loved.
