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Local Realtor Kyle Johnson marks 5 years supporting walkathon February 21, 2017, 12:51 pmThe walkathon raises awareness of and funds to support finding a cure for Mitochondrial diseases. "My role with the Energy for Life Walkathon entails reaching out to small and large companies asking for sponsorship through funds or donations of items needed for the walkathon," said Johnson, whose 8-year-old son Austin has Mitochondrial disease. "Over the last six months I have been working directly with the charity to get a walk again in Utah, and we are planning one for early fall. I encourage everyone to continue to watch the Energy for Life website for updates on location, date and time of walks all over the country." The purpose of the walkathon is to raise awareness and funds to help find a cure for Mitochondrial diseases, which result from failures of the mitochondria, specialized compartments present in every cell of the body (except red blood cells). The most affected parts of the body are the heart, brain, muscles and lungs, which require the greatest amounts of energy. "Austin was diagnosed with Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) when he was 1, and has been on several medications ever since. He has had several episodes resulting in a loss of speech along with his ability to walk and swallow. Each time he has fought back and regained almost all he had lost. He truly is an amazing little man," said Johnson. "It is a rare disorder that not much is known about. However, any support and awareness we can bring will help us fight for a cure." Kyle Johnson works as a real estate agent at Weichert Realtors at The Rockies in American Fork. The community news source for Eagle Mountain Utah, Saratoga Springs Utah, Lehi Utah, American Fork Utah, Highland Utah, Alpine Utah, and The Cedar Valley, including Cedar Fort Utah and Fairfield Utah. Copyright 2024 The Crossroads Journal LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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