Bassendean resident strides to beat disease on Bloody Long Walk

The Bloody Long Walk will take place on September 25, from Sir James Mitchell Park to Cottesloe Beach, to raise funds for the Australian Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.

Mitochondrial disease or “mito” is a debilitating, potential fatal genetic disorder that robs the body’s cells of the energy they need to function properly.

People with mito are affected differently and can lose their sight, hearing, be unable to walk, eat or talk normally, have strokes or seizures, develop diabetes or heart, liver, respiratory or digestive problems.

Ms Udinga, a special needs education assistant at Hampton Senior High School, will join team Noah and Fil’s Mito Army, the event’s current highest fundraisers at $7543.

She said she became involved in the team through her sister, whose friend’s son Noah has mitochondrial disease.

“Raising awareness for it is a really good thing,” she said.

“Her son’s in a wheelchair and he needs to use a communication device, they’ve got a lot of struggles.”

Ms Udinga said her sister and 17-year-old daughter had also joined the team that aims to raise $10,000.

One Australian child born each week will develop a severe form of mito and another 1000 a year will develop mild or moderate forms during their lifetime.

To donate to the team go to blw-perth-2016.everyday hero.com/au/janet.

To register to walk, visit bloodylongwalk.com.au.