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Acton/Georgetown, Friday, May 18, 2007 11 This year's target for Mito March is $50,000 LISA TALLYN Staff Writer Since Mito March: Kure for Kirkland was launched in 2005 it has raised more than $68,000 for mitochondrial disease research, and organizers want to keep the momentum going with this year's event. Event organizer, and Kirkland Kilbride's mom, Kelly said they are hoping to raise $50,000 at the 2007 Mito March set for Sunday, May 27 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Gellert Community Park in Georgetown. For links to on-line registration and pledging for the event visit www.mitomarch.ca The event was conceived by family and friends of Kirkland, a six-year-old Georgetown boy who suffers from a rare and fatal mitochondrial disease-complex one deficiency. Participants collect pledges for the 5 km family walk/run that's designed to promote awareness and raise funds in support of mitochondrial disease research at The Hospital for Sick Children. At this year's Mito March, along with the walk/run, there will also be many draw prizes including foursomes of golf at Glen Abbey and Eagle Ridge Golf Clubs and an appearance by Maple Leaf Kris Newbury. Kirkland's family recently learned the disease is actually secondary to another fatal genetic disorder-- Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC). The disorder results in an inability to properly metabolize cholesterol and fats. Kelly Kilbride is hopeful her son will be well enough to attend the Mito March, but she said it has been a rough few months for Kirkland. "He's been strugAnd the money gling after having raised through the pneumonia prior to Mito March-- all of Christmas," said which goes towards Kilbride. research at The She said Kirkland Hospital for Sick was not expected to Children-- has been live much beyond making a difference. then, but he has Kilbride said money "plateaued again." raised last year went "His current health specifically to funding status is quite fragile. a study currently being He's fairly critical, but conducted in the hoshe's stabilized at this pital's Metabolics Lab. point. You can tell by Scientists are analyzing his symptoms where the DNA of sibling he's headed," she said. pairs from different Kilbride said she is families with complex prepared for the one deficiency. inevitable. By using methods "You watch this kid very similar to those suffer like this as long used by the Hospital as you can, basically Toronto Maple Leaf forward Matt for Sick Children you want him to be at Stajan joined Kelly Kilbride and son researchers who found peace," she said. Kirkland for the annual Mito March: the gene responsible She said her son is Kure for Kirkland last year at the for cystic fibrosis, experiencing pain and Gellert Community Centre. Kris metabolic scientists are is now on 24-hour Newbury of the Leafs is expected to mapping out and idenmorphine. tifying mitochondrial attend the March 27 event. "We're trying to File photo genes that are common keep him comfortable. to both siblings. These Our main goal is to common genes are in keep him at home and be part of the fami- turn, linked to the genes shared by sibly." lings from other families with the intenThey have eight nurses who come in tion of narrowing down the location of throughout the day to care for Kirkland. defect and eventually pinpointing the speFor Kilbride it's important that cific gene responsible for complex one Kirkland's life have meaning. deficiency. "Every parent with a child like this "It's hopeful. They are making some wants there to be some purpose to his discoveries that are giving them some life," she said. clues," said Kilbride. Money raised this year will fund the second part of that study. Funding from the Mito March has also resulted in the purchase of a Real Time PCR Machine that has allowed researchers to examine cultured cells from patients to determine where there is a gene defect. The slogan for this year's Mito March is "Generating Energy Link by Link" because an energy deficiency of the cells is the common thread of mitochondrial diseases. In Kirkland's case, the respiratory chain is the specific energy process that is affected. Mito March organizers invite everyone to take part in building an energy chain, which they hope will be a year-round fundraiser for mitochondrial research. To build a chain, people make a dollar donation for a link. Organizations, groups and businesses are urged to build their own chains. Chains like the one recently built at Georgetown's Wal-Mart are currently under construction throughout the community and GTA. They will be collected prior to the Mito March and displayed that day along the walk/run route at the park. The names of the businesses, schools or organizations will be recognized beside their chain along the route. Registration for the Mito March will begin at 8 a.m. with the official start time at 9 a.m. Organizers are still accepting donations of prizes for the draw table at the event. To donate a prize, or for more information on the energy chains and the Mito March contact organizers at info@mitomarch.ca or call Kilbride at 905-873-4737. May 18 th - 21st ONLY We've set up a huge tent just outside the doors of our main building for a Massive Spring Clearance Event! Save thousands of dollars on Leather Sofas, Sectionals, Loveseats, Club Chairs, Recliners and Cabinetry. Plus, we're clearing hundreds of Leather, Suede & Shearling Coats including Spring Collections. EVERYTHING PRICED TO SELL! ACTON LOCATION ONLY · 1 877 4-LEATHER · FRIDAY 10-9, SAT, SUN, MON 10-6 · www.oldehidehouse.com