Fundraiser Set For Warsaw Girl With Mitochondrial Disease
Posted
Staff Report-
A fundraiser is this month for the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation. It is being planned by the family of 5-year-old Warsaw resident Sarah Landrigan who suffers from the cellular condition. On Jan. 21, Sarah's sMILES is hosting a Hoopsters Basketball game. This is the largest fundraiser for the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation. Last year $2,000 was raised, and this year’s goals is $3,000. Sarah’s sMILES team will once again take on the Lake City Radio Hoopsters on Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. at New Life Christian Church and World Outreach. In addition to the excitement of the game, Sarah’s sMILES will be selling hot dogs, pop, water and other items in their concession stand, which is sponsored by St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Pierceton. There will also be a bake sale, raffle drawing and T-shirts and awareness wristbands for sale. This year, the team consists of Cedric Poage, Alex Miller, Tyler Smoker, Lucas Schroeder, Tyler Wadkins, Dave Sauer, David Sainer and team captain Johnny Salmons. Sarah's sMILES jerseys are sponsored by Penguin Point. Like most children, Landrigan loves to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and play outside. But unlike other kids, her body does not convert food and oxygen into energy efficiently, causing a life-threatening deficit. Landrigan was born with mitochondrial disease, a condition that is responsible for her seizure disorder, severe muscle weakness and ketotic hypoglycemia. She depends on a feeding tube for survival, and she often uses her wheelchair, or “hot wheels,” to assist when intense fatigue overcomes her ability to walk. Despite the fact that it claims more lives than childhood cancer, there is no cure for mitochondrial disease. Because very little funding is dedicated to research for this disease, Landrigan’s friends and family created Sarah's sMILES, a group whose mission is to raise awareness of mitochondrial disease and increase funding for research. Sarah's sMILES hosts several fundraisers each year, including Hacienda Gives Back Fiestas, Sarah's Walk and a Hoopsters Basketball Game. Admission to the game is $5 per person or $20 per family, which includes entrance to Joy Jungle, the area’s largest indoor play place. Read more about Landrigan’s story at www.caringbridge.org/visit/sarahlandrigan or on Facebook at Sarah's sMILES
