HI all MOOSSA friends.
Wanted you to know about the following awareness drive as it effects both my sister and her daughter. Peace John MOOSSA

Dear Friends and Family ..

Hope this finds all of you doing well!

As many of you know, I have been doing a bit more running than usual this summer. What most of you don..t know is that the ..extra miles.. have been part of a six month marathon training program. On November 11th, I will be running the Richmond Marathon with hopes of raising awareness for Leigh..s disease, a mitochondrial disorder affecting one in 77,000 births worldwide. Mitochondrial disease results from failures of ..specialized.. compartments in cells in our body. When these compartments fail, less energy is produced and major organ systems become compromised. The disease primarily affects children, but adult onset is becoming more common.

Mitochondrial disease occurs in 1 out of every 2000 births. And while it affects each person differently, there is very little treatment .. and no cure.

Whether you know it or not, many of us have been touched by mitochondrial disease not once, but twice. Our cousin, Emmy Jurek was diagnosed with Leigh..s disease when she was just a toddler. Emmy is now 11 years old and has already surpassed her life expectancy. In recent years, Mary Moossa Jurek (Emma..s mother) has been diagnosed with an adult onset of a nonspecific mitochondrial disease. Mary..s condition, similar to Emma..s, results in muscle weakness, pain, gastro-intestinal disorders and swallowing difficulties. Prognosis is poor in both cases.

My goal is simple folks. I want to raise money and awareness for a group of diseases that I believe are grossly under funded, poorly understood and virtually overlooked when compared to others. We are a large family with an extended group of friends, coworkers and associates. We have connections to hospitals, schools, insurance companies and law firms. I believe we have potential to educate many people regarding not only Leigh..s disease but mitochondrial disease in general.

I ask that you go to Emmy to learn more about research that is being done to help diagnose, treat and hopefully someday cure mitochondrial disease. Please consider making a pledge in any dollar amount you wish. 100% of your donation will go to research to find a cure.

Although I don..t see them often, Emma and Mary constantly remind me of what life is really about. I am proud and honored to be running on their behalf.

Thank you in advance for your support.

With love and gratitude,
Monica Erin












Thank you for contributing to the Run for Leigh..s Disease, a marathon to benefit the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) on November 11, 2006. Please complete the contribution form and return to the address below.

Contact Name: ______________________________________________________

Company: __________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________

Phone: ______________________ Email: ________________________________


Amount: __________

Cash/Check made payable to UMDF.




Return contribution form to:
Monica Erin Canty
5 South Mulberry Street
Richmond, VA 23220

Phone: (804) 304-9414

Thank you once again for your support!

UMDF Mission: To promote research and education for the diagnosis, treatment and cure of mitochondrial disorders and to provide support to affected individuals and families.