Walk To Support Mitochondrial Disease Research

BROOKFIELD, WI -- Life was moving forward for Colleen and Troy Jakubowski and their family. The New Berlin parents were happy that their daughter, Morgan, was beginning her first year of college. Very soon after sending her off to college, they noticed that Morgan was having trouble walking and had been falling frequently.

"We became very concerned and took her to several physicians in the Milwaukee area," Colleen Jakubowski said. "They were not able to determine why this was happening."

The Jakubowski family traveled to the Mayo Clinic to find the answers to what might be happening to their daughter Morgan. It was there that Morgan was diagnosed with a POLG gene mutation, one of the many forms of mitochondrial disease. A month after her diagnosis she suffered from seizures so severe they caused a brain injury.

Those who have a POLG mutation suffer from recurrent seizures, muscle weakness and problems with coordination and balance. Symptoms of a POLG mutation can occur at any point in life. Research shows that nearly two percent of the general population are carriers for this mutation which means that more than 670,000 people may have a mitochondrial disease as a result.

On Saturday, Sep. 29, 2018, the Jakubowski family will join with other patients and families for the Energy for Life Walkathon. The walkathon will take place at Fox Brook Park Pavilion, 2925 N. Barker Road, Brookfield, WI, 53045.

How to Go:

Date: Saturday, September 29, 2018
Time: Registration opens at 9:00 am (rain or shine). Welcome Program at 10:00 am. The Walk kicks off at 10:30 a.m.
Location: Fox Brook Park Pavilion~2925 N. Barker Road, Brookfield, WI., 53045
Organized by: The Milwaukee Walk Committee of the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation

Those participating in this walkathon are providing the energy for those unable to take part because they suffer mitochondrial disease. Funds raised in this walk will be used by the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) to provide research for an easier diagnosis, better treatments and, a cure. To date, the UMDF has funded nearly $12 million in research grants.

Submitted Photo, Published With Permission