SUPPORT RESEARCH INTO MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASE
This fundraising round is championed by community member, Kevin Berkowitz:
"I am passionate about supporting developing treatments for mitochondrial disease, specifically MERRF. We aim to raise $1,000,000 for the Mito Foundation. By funding these initiatives, you can help to be part of the solution"
Understanding Mitochondrial Disease
Mitochondrial diseases are a group of disorders caused by dysfunctional mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells. These diseases are debilitating and can lead to severe symptoms such as seizures, muscle weakness, ataxia, and dementia and in many cases, premature death. MERRF (Myoclonic Epilepsy with Ragged Red Fibers) is one of the more common types of mitochondrial diseases.
Impact: Affects 1 in 200 people with genetic predispositions, with one child diagnosed each week.
Current State: No cures and few effective treatments exist.
Key Projects and Funding Needs
We aim to raise one million dollars!
We have three key projects and with your help the first has been achieved. Our next focus is funding innovative researchers through the Emerging Scientist Fund.
1. The money has been allocated for Supporting Research on mtDNA
Goal: Develop techniques to edit mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to treat mtDNA-related diseases like MERRF.
Program: Research Fellowship awarded to Tara Richman, Harry Perkins Institute Impact: Successful mtDNA editing can pave the way for treating a range of mitochondrial diseases.
Funding Awarded: $100,000
Help make this happen next;
- Emerging Scientists Fund
Goal: Support early-career researchers and innovative projects in mitochondrial research.
Programs:
- Incubator Grants: Preliminary research funding to attract larger grants.
- PhD Scholarships: Encourage new researchers to enter the field.
Impact: Dr. Richard Lee identified disease-causing genes through an incubator grant, leading to four new diagnoses.
Funding Requirement: $150,000
- Preparing for Clinical Trials
Goal: Ensure Australians can participate in and benefit from the increasing number of global mito clinical trials.
Example Programs:
- Increase genetic testing and education.
- Grow the Australian mito-registry.
- Prepare researchers and healthcare professionals for trials
Impact: Access to treatments available for a broad range of mitochondrial diseases
Funding Requirement: $750,000 +
For a more detailed outline of the planned clinical trial readiness work refer to this table; https://www.mito.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Clinical-Trial-Ready-Projects.pdf
Investing in these projects will support critical research into mitochondrial diseases, benefiting a broad spectrum of conditions, including MERRF. Your support can transform research into tangible treatments and improve the lives of those affected by mito.
Donations can be made directly via this page or transferred to the Mito Foundation bank account. All donations are tax deductible in Australia. Please email Lorelle.Yee@mito.org.au after you have made a donation to allow for receipting.
Thank you to my Sponsors
$108.61
Kim And Craig Horwitz
$200
Mark Sacks
Kevie, birthday salutations on your 60th. Have a terrific night. Mark and Lauren Sacks
$108.61
Wayne Miller
Happy birthday Berko! Today we celebrate you, a true Mensch! Wishing you good health and mazal for the next 60! Cheers Wayne and Vanessa Miller
$100
Anonymous
Happy bday Kev
$120
Ilan And Jo Zimerman
Kev - happy happy 60th birthday- wishing you health happiness and fun times always. Looking forward to partying with you 🎂🥃 love ilan & Jo
$543.07
Tom C
Wonderful thing you’re doing Kev.
$195.50
Tony & Manu Rubenstein
KB. HBD 🥳 brother. Have a Lekka day! L’chaim whiskey 🥃. T&M
$293.26
Hylton And Michelle Hodes
Happy 60th Kev!
$250
Earle Sacher
Happy Birthday Kev. Many more Only the very best 🤗❤️
$117.30
Karen Sher
Happy Birthday Kevin. Wishing you love and blessings for your birthday. With much love Steven and Karen Sher
$108.61
Brian Ziman
Hi Kev wishing you a happy birthday on you 60th . have a great party .Looking forward to celebrate with you . Love the Ziman
$108.61
Sheri And Jody
Happy birthday Kev.
$217.23
Roger And Barbara Hayim
Dear Kev Wishing you a very happy 60th birthday and many more in good health Sending lots of love Roger and Barbara
$136.85
Marlon And Myreen
Mazeltov on your 60th!!
$108.61
Kevin And Donna
Wishing you a very happy birthday and many more happy and healthy years ahead 🥃🥃🥃
$760.29
Anonymous
Happy birthday Kevie
$117.30
Fran And Norman
Happy 60th Kev - to you and a great cause
$82.55
Malcolm Kofsky
Happy BD and many many more
$500
Frank & Belinda Hageali
Happiest of birthdays Kev. Have a fantastic night. We remain sincerely hopeful that treatments can be developed to help so many people suffering from this cruel disease.
$300
Ronnie & Meirav Shulkin
Happy 60th Kev! Looking forward to celebrating together 🎉
$162.92
Brett & Maleanie Rubin
Happy Birthday Kev Many more in good health and happiness
$200
Howard Blend
Happy 60th Kev !
$130.34
Dan Katz
Happy birthday old man !!!!
$325.84
Phillip Silver
Donation in lieu of buying you a birthday present
$195.50
Greenstein Family
Happy Birthday Kev. To many more years of good things
$270
Darin And Elisha
Happy 60th Birthday Berko and many more.
$543.07
Sean Rose
Happy Birthday to 60 more years !!
$360
Paul
Happy 60th
$217.23
David And Gaby
Happy 60th Birthday Kev - have a great day - Love David and Gaby
$195.50
Allen Chimes
Have a great 60th Kev and and thanks for inviting Lis and I
$130.34
Mark Weinstein
Happy 60th Berko and many more. Cant wait for another big celebration. All our live Mark and Yvette
$180
Oren Glick
Happy happy 60th to our special friend welcome to the club. Looking forward to celebrating with you. 🎉🎉🎉🥃🥃😍🥃
$271.53
Gavin Hamburger
Happy Birthday Kev
$108.61
Michael Berchowitz
$108.61
Anonymous
$195.50
Alan & Andy G
Happy birthday, Kev. Wishing you only good things for the next 60 years.
$600
Tt Foundation - Jeff Zulman
Mazeltov on reaching this milestone of 60 – half way there – biz 120!
$162.92
Clive Sacher
Have a great day,and we are very appreciative of your support and friendship
$180
Ari Mervis
Happy birthday Kev!
$108.61
Laurence And Lee-ann Morris
Happy Birthday Kev!
$2.72k
Kevin Berkowitz
$38.13k
Bloody Long Walk Sydney East Total Funds Raised
$500
Oren Glick
Amazing Cause. Thanks to the entire team.
$195.50
Rolf Krecklenberg
$5k
Anonymous .
$25k
Sergey Korol
$581.58
Marlon Mindel
$108.60
Anonymous
We will get there!
$2k
Ari Mervis
$100
Anonymous
Good luck with the campaign Kev
$15.02k
Kevin Berkowitz
$1.07k
Anonymous
Great cause Kevin!!
$1.86k
Tt Foundation
$2k
Dan And Nicole Katz
$5.02k
Poswell Family
$1.02k
Phillip Silver And Assiciates Lawyer
Hope this helps even a little bit to you getting to raise funds
$325.80
Hilda Sarakinsky
$5k
Anonymous Donor
$25k
Anonymous Donor
$1.8k
Edelmuth Family
$1.8k
Ricky And Gina Rosen
$9k
Zagga
With best wishes for the important work you do
$3.6k
Paul Werner
$5k
Jml Investments
$5.64k
Blumenthal Family
$1.07k
Michael Gordon
$500
Michael Blumenthal
$1.6k
Benny Friedman
$10k
Anthony Levi
$50
Gavin Hamburger
$2.64k
Howard Blend
$32.58
Anonymous
$10k
Anonymous Donor
$250
Mark Sacks
Birthday salutations Benny. Super milestone to achieve and so glad we can share it with you and the family. Sacks Family
$217.20
Phillip And Yael Behr
Happy birthday Benny! We’re so happy to celebrate with you looking forward to a big lachaim with you! Lots of love Phil and Yael Behr
$50k
Sean Katz
$108.60
Mandy Sacher
Happy Birthday Benny and thank you for helping to bring our attention to this charity and very worthwhile cause. X
$54.30
Derek Garfinkel
Happy 80th birthday Benny.
$543
Cluve Sacher
Happy birthday Benny
$162.90
Heleen Fourie
Dear Kevin, Good luck! I know we will get there.
$39.10
Jonathan Sher
Happy 80th birthday
Happy 60th Kev. Wishing you a year filled with good health and happiness. Lots of love Craig and Kim