11th Annual SKR Derby Day

We're Off to the Races!

You may have heard that COVID-19 has postponed the Kentucky Derby. As a result, we have made the decision to also postpone the 11th annual Sandra K. Russell Derby Day Benefit for Mito. For MitoAction, calls still need to be answered, patients with mitochondrial disease are still looking to us for guidance, there are still mito kids that have a dream of attending summer camp and there are students applying for college scholarships.

The world is now getting a glimpse into the lives of our patients and what it's like to live with a rare disease. Fear of being exposed to life threatening illnesses, fear of isolation, fear of loss of access to needed medical supplies, and even fear of dying. The coronavirus is extremely dangerous for a person with mito, so now more than ever, we are asking for your support.

This action-packed evening supports all of the programs and resources that MitoAction offers free of charge to the mitochondrial disease community. These programs include sending children to summer camp through our Matthew Harty Camper Fund program, granting wishes to children living with mitochondrial disease through our new partnership with Give Kids the World, scholarships for college aged students, patient education materials, weekly support groups, webinars, live educational events, financial support, care packages for families on extended hospital stays and much more!

We are inspired by your generosity and will continue to actively carry out our mission thanks to YOU!

 How It All Began

The annual Sandra K. Russell Derby Day Benefit for Mito is held in honor of Sandra Russell, who lost her battle to mitochondrial disease in 2008. Sandra is the late wife of MitoAction Board member Gordon Russell and mother of Derby Day Committee members Buck, Rebecca and Jonathan Russell.

The Russell Family had an annual tradition of hosting a fun-filled celebration on the day of the Kentucky Derby for family and friends. MitoAction is honored to continue this family tradition, and to celebrate Sandra's commitment to helping others, especially those impacted by mitochondrial disease.

To date, Derby Day has raised over $1.3 million towards improving the lives of patients and families affected by mitochondrial disease and sent over 365 children with mito to summer camp. Because of the generous support of our Derby Day sponsors, volunteers, and attendees, MitoAction continues to provide vital support to those who courageously face the day to day challenges of this devastating rare disease.

 The Matthew Harty Camper Fund

2014 was the year Matthew Harty's parents, Paul and Sarah, were going to send him to Camp Korey in the summer. "We wanted to send Matthew to camp because we wanted him to feel that experience of just being a kid at camp, like everybody else," Paul said. But Matthew never got the chance. Just days after his 8th birthday, Matthew died of mitochondrial disease.

MitoAction renamed its "Send A Kid to Camp" program "The Matthew Harty Camper Fund" in honor of this amazing little boy. "We have a newfound mission in our family and that's to send as many kids with mitochondrial disease as possible to camp because we never know when they're going to get that chance," said Paul, a MitoAction board member for over ten years.

Managing Mito is difficult for not only the child, but for the parents, as well. "So the opportunity to go to camp and just be a kid and forget about all those issues that you have to deal with on a regular basis is a gift we have to give to kids and parents moving forward," Paul said.

About MitoAction

For over 14 years, MitoAction has been transforming the lives of families affected by mitochondrial disease. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for children, adults and families living with mitochondrial disease through support, education, outreach, advocacy and clinical research initiatives.

Committed to making the largest impact possible, MitoAction serves individuals in the U.S. and around the world, and all of our programs and services are free of charge. The programs and services MitoAction provides continue to be a lifeline for families impacted by mitochondrial disease. Families know with MitoAction, they will never be alone on this difficult journey.