Michelle, the Human Resources Generalist here at Lydia's has been working towards this weekend for some time now. This Saturday she'll be holding a charity event to benefit the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation. I asked her to share a little bit about the event and the cause with me for today's blog post.
My name is Michelle DeWitt. I’m the mother of two kids. My oldest, Easton, is an 8 year old boy who has considered all dirt bike riders his role model, next to his Dad, since he was 2 years old. He has developed a love for racing and hopes one day to compete in freestyle riding. Easton has only one other passion that comes close to his love for dirt bikes, the battle against Mitochondrial Disease. His baby sister, Payton, who is now 4 years old, was diagnosed at 18 months with this horrendous disease. I will not overwhelm you with the details, you can read more about the disease here. However, I will say that Mitochondrial Disease affects people from head to toe. Essentially, Mitochondrial Disease is a deficiency in the body’s ability to form energy leaving all other organs and life supporting functions to suffer. It preys on adults with later onset, but it also preys on innocent children forcing their lives to be hindered by this monster. Symptoms range in severity from mild to fatal. There is no treatment, no cure and minimal research is being completed due to lack of funding.
On September 12, 2009 our family will be hosting, along with many friends and perfect strangers, a charity race: Payton’s Race for a Cure. We have taken the two passions in our lives, and combined them for the better of the cause and ultimately a cure. We have collaborated with United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation and have elected to have all of the proceeds go directly to them.
Our event will be family friendly, with activities for all ages. Not only will we be hosting a charity dirt bike race that day, but we will also be hosting a carnival filled with games, clowns, face painting, a magician and much more. We have also been able to book multiple bands and a DJ. Volunteers have been very successful in encouraging local businesses and individuals to help create a large raffle with numerous prizes.
“Every 30 minutes a child is born who will be diagnosed with a Mitochondrial Disease by the age of 10.”
If you're in the Grand Rapids area this weekend, please stop by and support a Lydia's employee and Payton's Race for a Cure!
Have something to say? Leave a comment here.
-Click here to read an article about this event from the Grand Rapids Press
-Click here to listen to Michelle's radio interview with Gerry Barnaby
Powered by Compendium Blogware
Comments for Lydia's Employee Hosts Charity Event to Benefit UMDF