mitoHOPE team walk 35km for mito research
Led by the mitoHOPE Program, a team of more than 30 people walked 35km along the Mornington Peninsula on Sunday 15 October, as part of the Bloody Long Walk. The event raises funds for Mito Foundation’s work to find treatments and a cure for mitochondrial disease (mito). The mitoHOPE team has raised more than $14,000!
Although some of the mitoHOPE team were first-timers at this year's event, others have trekked the postcard-worthy – though gruelling – route multiple times before. Professor David Thorburn, from the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, has participated in an incredible 15 Bloody Long Walks across Australia! In recognition of his dedication, Professor Thorburn was given the honour of wearing the number 1 bib, presented at the start line by Mito Foundation's CEO, Sean Murray.
Mr Murray also said, "The mitoHOPE team have taken on an incredibly important mission – to realise the dreams of the mito community: making mitochondrial donation a reality in Australia. Their enthusiasm and generosity in this year's Bloody Long Walk reflects the commitment they have not only to this mission but also to their partnership with the mito community. Bloody legends!"
Mito is a highly complex disease that robs the body’s cells of energy, causing organ dysfunction or failure. Current treatments may lessen symptoms of mito, but they do not alter the course of disease. There is no cure for mito.
The mitoHOPE Program is Australia’s pilot introduction of mitochondrial donation into Australian clinical practice.
Mitochondrial donation is an IVF-based technique that offers real hope for families with certain forms of mito to have healthy children of their own. The technique involves removing the nuclear DNA from a patient’s egg containing faulty mitochondria and inserting it into a healthy donor egg, which has had its nuclear DNA removed. As the nuclear DNA is retained, the unique genetic information (that makes us who we are and determines what we look like) is passed on from mother to child, but the mitochondrial defects are not.
Donations can still be made to support the mitoHOPE team. Donate online via the Bloody Long Walk website.
About the mitoHOPE Program
The mitoHOPE (Healthy Outcomes Pilot and Evaluation) Program at Monash University’s Biomedicine Discovery Institute is piloting the introduction of mitochondrial donation into Australian clinical practice.
Mitochondrial donation is an IVF-based technique that has the potential to eliminate some forms of mitochondrial disease (mito) within families in one generation.
The mitoHOPE Program is led by a team of pioneering experts in all aspects of mitochondrial donation and in partnership with the mito community. Together, the mitoHOPE Program is committed to transforming the reproductive options for people impacted by mito.
About Mito Foundation
Mito Foundation is Australia’s peak body dedicated to supporting and empowering people affected by mitochondrial disease (mito). It provides resources and support services for patients, carers and families while increasing awareness and education of this devastating disease. The foundation aims to transform outcomes for the mito community by driving meaningful change and funding essential research into the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cures of mitochondrial disorders.
About the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute at Monash University
Committed to making discoveries that will relieve the future burden of disease, the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute at Monash University brings together more than 120 internationally-renowned research teams. Spanning six discovery programs across Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Development and Stem Cells, Infection and Immunity, Metabolism, Diabetes and Obesity, and Neuroscience, Monash BDI is one of the largest biomedical research institutes in Australia. Our researchers are supported by world-class technology and infrastructure, and partner with industry, clinicians and researchers internationally to enhance lives through discovery.