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Welcome to Our Blossoming Spring Newsletter!

With the arrival of an energizing new season, we are thrilled to share some exciting new initiatives we have diligently been developing.

In this edition of MitoNews, we’re proud to share details about this year’s MitoScholars scholarship program, introduce a compelling new Community Corner article authored by MitoCommunity member John Fisher, provide insights into our MitoRide and MitoAmbassadors programs, commemorate Charlie Leitis through a new Faces of Mito story, and provide you with new resources to plan your community fundraising event in 2024 like a Walk N’ Roll 4 Mito!

These valuable programs and resources wouldn’t exist without you and your unwavering support of MitoCanada. We cannot thank you enough for believing in us and our work to advance transformational research, education, support, and our awareness and advocacy initiatives. Thank you!

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MitoCanada Believes in Bright Futures

Here at MitoCanada, we want to help students living with mitochondrial disease pursue the education and, ultimately, the careers they dream of.

Established in 2022, MitoCanada’s MitoScholars program remains steadfast in its mission to support Canadian students living with a mito. Whether they’ve been diagnosed with mito or have a parent or sibling with mitochondrial disease, our scholarships aim to reduce the financial barriers they may encounter when pursuing a post-secondary education.

This year, we are proud to announce four (4) $5,000 scholarships will be awarded!
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Dear MitoCanada Community Members,

Meet John Fisher, President & CEO of an environmental and occupational health and safety consulting firm with offices in Ontario and Quebec.

John lives in Mississauga, Ontario, with his wife, Diane, of almost 39 years. John is also the proud father of three young men.

John was diagnosed with mitochondrial myopathy in 1982 and was told that he was 1 in a million, and it was later conveyed to John that he had CPEO. Being diagnosed with mito over 40 years ago has allowed John the latitude to reflect on what life with mito has been like for him.

Read more about John’s journey and his inspiring outlook on life, what mito has taught him and the power of positivity.

Leave a question or comment for John or any past Community Corner author.

Interested in writing a Community Corner article? We want to hear from you!

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NEW!! MitoRide

Partnering with CP Kids and Families of Calgary, MitoCanada provides access to adapted bikes and trikes to children and youth with a mito diagnosis, living in areas south of Red Deer, AB.
MitoRide is a FREE support program we are piloting, in Calgary. The goal of the program is to increase accessibility to adapted bikes and trikes for children with mito to get them moving their mito to build strength, endurance and confidence!

NEW!! mitoAmbassadors

Our mitoAmbassadors are crucial in bringing our vision to life – a world where all lives are powered by healthy mitochondria! They are dedicated volunteers and advocates who further MitoCanada’s support and awareness activities in their local communities.
mitoAmbassadors embody the spirit of mito-leadership, raising mito-awareness and actively contributing to MitoCanada’s growth and impact.
Meet our incredible mitoAmbassadors and learn more about our ambassador program!
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Faces of Mito – Remembering Charlie

Before they knew what mitochondrial disease was, Dani and Ivars Leitis had what they considered to be the perfect family. Their daughter, Riley, was thrilled to become Charlie’s big sister. Baby Charlie (born June 4, 2021) was reaching all his milestones and “everything in our lives was going well,” says Ivars. “We didn’t have everything, but we had it all.”
“We had no clue that Charlie was silently fighting a battle that would lead to a devastating loss,” says Dani.
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Join Walk N’ Roll 4 Mito 2024

Join us for Walk N’ Roll 4 Mito during Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week – September 16th to 22nd, 2024.

Walk N’ Roll inspires individuals or groups to walk, run, cycle, roller blade, and dance. Use your energy this September to move while raising funds awareness and funds about for mitochondrial disease.

This national event will be held in many communities across the country, including Mississauga, Hamilton, Winnipeg, Edmonton and more.

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Support MitoCanada Through a Third-Party Fundraiser

A third-party fundraiser is an event or activity organized and implemented by you to support MitoCanada’s activities. Third-party fundraisers are an essential way to raise funds to help us achieve our vision of creating a world where all lives are powered by healthy mitochondria.

Interested in planning your own Walk N’ Roll 4 Mito or fundraising event? Contact: development@mitocanada.org. Explore our new Third-Party Fundraising page!