Move4Mito

Movement for Mito

Movement for Mito

Join Kaylee and our friends at LivvWell Wellness Hub for the inaugural Movement for Mito class. This 50-minute yoga class will get your mitochondria energized! For those living with mitochondrial disease, daily exercise is essential to supporting your health. From improving strength and energy levels to reducing fatigue, stress, and anxiety, exercise offers many important benefits. Even small increases in physical activity can make a difference and provide benefits for everyone.

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.

Event Details

📅 Saturday, September 12th, 2026

🕢 11:45 AM Start (50 minute class)

📍 LivvWell – The Wellness Hub (Kingsview Market – 30 Market Blvd SE, Airdrie, AB T4A 0K9)

✨ Registration is required by donations. Email info@livvwellhub.com to book in advance!

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

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Mito Glow Walk

Mito Glow Walk – Saskatoon

To end World Mitochondrial Disease Week, let’s walk for Tanner and all the Mito warriors who are living with mitochondrial disease. Each year on Light Up for Mito day, friends, family, and members of the community dress in bright green and glowing gear gathered to walk for Tanner and all the mito warriors who have fought or continue to fight mitochondrial disease.⁠

Meet Tanner 

Tanner was the baby who completed Leeanne and Patrick Wilson’s family, joining his big brother, Nolan.  But as Tanner grew, they noticed he wasn’t hitting his milestones. He was slower to walk and talk and had mild eye abnormalities. ⁠
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After countless medical visits and tests, a fall sent Tanner to the ER. An MRI revealed a devastating diagnosis: Leigh syndrome, a rare mitochondrial disease.⁠
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Searching for answers, the Wilsons connected with Dr. Aneal Khan, who gave them more clarity. It was also Dr. Khan who suggested they connect with MitoCanada and attend an upcoming conference. There, Leeanne says, they “found their tribe.”
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Now 12 years old, Tanner continues to amaze his family with his strength and spirit. “He is a strong warrior, a determined young man who, despite the challenges of mito, approaches life with remarkable resilience,” Leeanne says.

Event Details

📅 Saturday, September 19th, 2026

🕢 7:00 PM start

📍Meet up at the Teepee on Avenue A South and Spadina Cres, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Old farmers market parking lot) – We will head east for a bit then turn around! 

✨ No registration required, bring your friends and family along! Dress up in bright green and anything other Glowy items you might have! Glow sticks will be provided!

Donate

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Walk N’ Roll 4 Mito 2026

2026 National Walk N’ Roll 4 Mito Event

Raising funds for MitoCanada

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14900

Throughout September, Canadians from coast to coast come together to use their energy to participate in Walk N’ Roll 4 Mito. Last year marked the 10th anniversary of the event, which began in 2015 thanks to MitoChampion Louise Gibson in Mississauga, Ontario.

Since then, the event has grown into a powerful, nationwide movement. Teams across the country walk, roll, and rally with one shared goal: to ensure all lives are powered by healthy mitochondria. Thank you to all the teams for being part of this milestone and helping us celebrate over a decade of community, determination and energy!

Meet our Fundraising Teams

Mississauga Walk N’ Roll 4 Mito

Join us for multiple walks throughout September at Lake Aquitaine Park for the 11th Annual Mississauga Walk N’ Roll 4 Mito!

Oakville Walk N’ Roll 4 Mito

Join us on Saturday, September 19th at Coronation Park for the first Oakville Walk N’ Roll 4 Mito!

Winnipeg Walk N’ Roll 4 Mito

On Thursday, September 24 the Winnipeg Walk N’ Roll crew will walk n’ roll at Ron Duhamel Park in Sage Creek.

How to Join Walk N’ Roll 2026

Joining the event is easy. Simply choose a date, time, location, physical activity, and fundraising goal during Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Month (September). Then, Walk N’ Roll individually, join a team or create a team with others in your community for an hour, a day, or throughout the entire week. You have the freedom to tailor your activity, and we will support you every step of the way.

The funds raised during Walk N’ Roll 4 Mito are crucial, they support our educational initiatives, raise valuable awareness, and fund vital research aimed at preventing and treating mitochondrial disease, as well as supporting mitochondrial health.

Thank you to our national sponsor, Ultragenyx!

We are deeply grateful to Ultragenyx, our National Walk N’ Roll Sponsor, for their continued commitment to MitoCanada and the Canadian mitochondrial disease community. Their support over the years has helped Walk N’ Roll grow, bringing families, friends, and communities together across Canada to raise awareness, build connection, and generate impactful fundraising.

Thank you, Ultragenyx, for continuing to walk alongside our community and helping us create a future where all lives are powered by healthy mitochondria.

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Hazel’s Light Up for Mito Walk

Hazel’s Light Up for Mito Walk

Join Vancouver Island families and supporters living with mitochondrial disease for the 4th annual Hazel’s Light Up for Mito Walk! This annual walk is led by MitoCanada’s mitoAmbassador Hazel Currie, who lives with MNGIE (mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalopathy), an ultra-rare mitochondrial disease. While thousands of Canadians live with mitochondrial disease, Hazel remains the only known case of MNGIE in British Columbia and is using her energy to help raise awareness, inspire hope and educate others about mito. 

Let’s make Victoria, BC, once again, the most lit-up community in Canada to support those living with mitochondrial disease! 

Photograph of the fountain in front of the BC Legislative Building lit green for Hazel's Light Up for Mito Walk 2024Event Details

📅 Saturday, September 19th, 2026

🕢 7:30 PM Start

📍  Meet at Christ Church Cathedral front steps (Quadra Street & Courtney Street), Victoria, BC.  Walk down Broughton Street, to Government Street, and end at the BC Legislature.

♿ This walk/roll is fully accessible

✨ No registration required, just show up in your MitoCanada gear or dazzle in bright green!

Hazel will take you for a stroll through downtown Victoria, taking in heritage buildings and local businesses glowing green, the walk will end at the BC Legislature, where the ceremonial entrance alcove and fountains will be lit in vibrant green in support of mitochondrial disease awareness. By joining, you will be part of a global movement alongside over 300 landmarks that have lit up worldwide, including Niagara Falls, Rome’s Colosseum, the CN Tower, Signal Hill Tower, Science World and BC Place.

Thank you, Mutual Fire Insurance!

We are grateful to welcome Mutual Fire Insurance as a Community Friend Sponsor of Hazel’s Light Up for Mito. Their generous support helps bring this special event to life, creating an opportunity for the community to come together, raise awareness, and shine a light on mitochondrial disease.

Thank you, Mutual Fire Insurance, for standing with Hazel, MitoCanada, and the mito community.

View the Victoria Locations Lighting Up Green!

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2266.86

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