Maricopan helps organize walkathon to fight daughter’s mitochondrial disease

Their parents refer to four-year-olds Mylee Eaton and Reiley Lake and seven-year-old Kylie LaFlamme as the three amigos. They are a trio of happy kids who are cursed with mitochondrial, a disease so difficult to diagnose it can take years to spot in a patient.

However, on Dec.19 these three children put their disease behind them as they participated in United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation’s first annual Arizona Energy for Life Walkathon.

“It was just so great to see the three kids take part in the event,” said Susan Lake, Maricopa resident and mother of Reiley. “I nearly cried when they finished the 3k walk.”

Reiley and Kylie are confined to wheelchairs, but Mylee has partial walking abilities.

When the three approached the finish line, Mylee got out of her chair and with the assistance of a walker completed the last leg of the journey under her own power.

“It was touching,” Lake said.

However, the three children were not the only ones who took part in the event.
More than 450 walkers descended on Kiwanis Park in Tempe to take part in the event, raising more than $40,000.

Among those participating in a virtual walk online was actor Jack Black.  Black is a long time supporter of the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation and participated by walking for “Team Sharon Shaw.” Shaw, who lives in Scottsdale, is a friend of the actor and is affected by mitochondrial disease.

“It was great to have Jack Black’s support; we hope next year he may come out in person,” Lake said.

Lake with the help of four other moms, Sara Eaton, Kelly LaFlamme, Gina Blair and Jamie Mont organized the event.

“We wanted to find a way to help fight this disease,” Lake said.

Mitochondrial disease results when the mitochondria, the power house within our cells, fail.  When this occurs in people with mitochondrial disease, they suffer a ‘power failure’ in their bodies.  Over time, organ systems may begin to fail. Many people exhibit multiple symptoms for many years before they are properly diagnosed. Research indicates that one in 4,000 children will be born with a mitochondrial disease.

“The purpose of the Energy for Life Walkathon was to raise awareness and research dollars for mitochondrial disease,” said Charles A. Mohan, Jr., CEO and Executive Director of the UMDF.  Through various fundraising efforts, like the Energy for Life Walkathon, the UMDF has become the nation’s largest non-governmental provider of research dollars for the diagnosis, treatment and potential cures for mitochondrial disease. 

“This walkathon was successful because of the energy of the walkers, their families, friends and co-workers and organizers. All of them have demonstrated that they won’t allow themselves to be victims of the disease.  They have chosen to become part of the cure,” Mohan said.

If you are interested in donating to the cause, visit www.energyforlifewalk.org/arizona.

Slide show photos courtesy of Howard WaGGner/News of Maricopa