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!

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!

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.

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.