Arnprior, Ont. lights up green for Mito awareness
Homes across Arnprior, Ont. will light up green Saturday night in support of a local family.
September 24 marks the Light Up for Mito day, a worldwide event where green lights are lit to wrap up Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week.
Arnprior resident Sarah Tait is seeing more houses lit green than ever before in support of her family. Tait's son Nicholas lives with a mitochondrial dysfunction.
"He's considered blind, he's non-verbal, and he just needs help with everyday functions," says Tait.
According to the Mito Foundation, mitochondrial disease affects everyone differently, and happens when the mitochondria within a person's cells do not produce energy as it should. It is a condition that affects about 1 in 5,000 people.
Sarah Tait with her son, Nicholas. Tait's son Nicholas lives with a mitochondrial dysfunction. (Sarah Tait/submitted)
This year, Tait and friend Leslie Anne Hook decided to promote the light up event locally and gathered 50 light bulbs to pass out to homes for free.
"It really is a symbol of support locally to our family here, Sarah and Nicholas, raising awareness for this great cause," Hook tells CTV News Ottawa.
"Growing it from 10 people to 20, this year 50," says Hook. "We're hoping to partner next year with a lot of people and keep growing it locally."
National monuments, like Toronto's CN Tower will also be lit green tonight to cap Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week.
The pair managed to pass out all 50 light bulbs ahead of Saturday night. In the days before the official light up, Tait has been overwhelmed by the support of her family's cause.
The CN Tower will be lit green on Saturday for Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week. (CN Tower/Twitter)
"My mom and I drove around the other night to see where we can see the green lights in the community, and it's fantastic to see the houses where I don't know the people that live there," says Tait.
"They're lit up supporting Nicholas and myself."
"Some people have seen the lights in different parts of the community and asked their neighbours to get involved," adds Hook.
Currently mitochondrial disease has no cure. It is taught early on in science class that mitochondria is the powerhouse of a cell. There is hope that by powering on more green light bulbs, the ability to find a cure will become easier.
"And doing initiatives like this that raise awareness is the first step towards getting funding and working towards a treatment or a cure," says Tait.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Arrest made, manslaughter charge pending in 2022 death of Calgary toddler
Calgary police have arrested a man and a charge is pending in connection with the death of a toddler in 2022.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson Airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
Prince William returns to public duties after wife Kate's cancer revelation
Prince William will return to public duties on Thursday for the first time since his wife Kate revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
Russia reports downing 5 Ukrainian military balloons in Kyiv's latest apparent war innovation
Russian air defences downed what authorities described as five Ukrainian balloons overnight, the defence ministry in Moscow said Thursday, as the sides kept up long-range strikes that have featured heavily in what has largely become a war of attrition.