Rochdale Family Champions Fight Against Mitochondrial Disease This September

Rochdale, Greater Manchester, UK – A local family is urging the community to rally behind World Mitochondrial Disease Week this September, as they bravely shed light on a devastating and incurable condition affecting their teenage son.

Aiman, a vibrant 17-year-old from Rochdale, lives with Mitochondrial Disease. This rare and progressive condition severely impacts the body's ability to generate energy, leading to a cascade of debilitating symptoms. His family, in partnership with the national charity My Mito Mission, will be a prominent part of World Mitochondrial Disease Week 2025 (running from September 15th to 21st) by hosting a dedicated awareness event right here in Rochdale town centre.

Aiman’s mother, the driving force behind the local awareness campaign, has organised an all-day stall named ‘Aiman’s Mito Mission’. This event will take place on Monday, September 15th, at the Rochdale Riverside offices, operating from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The stall promises an engaging experience for visitors, featuring a raffle with guaranteed prizes and the sale of exclusive charity merchandise. Crucially, all proceeds generated from the event will be channeled towards supporting families grappling with Mitochondrial Disease and advancing vital medical research into the condition.

Mitochondrial Disease, affects the mitochondria, the microscopic 'powerhouses' within our cells. When these powerhouses falter, the body's vital organs and systems begin to fail due to a lack of energy. The symptoms are as varied as they are challenging, often including profound fatigue, muscle weakness, developmental delays in children, seizures, and serious problems with vision, hearing, heart function, and digestion. The condition can affect individuals of all ages, from infancy to adulthood, with a spectrum of severity ranging from mild to life-threatening.

Tragically, there is currently no cure for Mitochondrial Disease, and treatment remains largely focused on supportive care to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

World Mitochondrial Disease Week serves as a crucial international platform to amplify awareness, galvanise research efforts, and offer a beacon of hope to those affected by this relentless condition. Families, charities, and researchers worldwide unite during this week to organise impactful fundraising initiatives, and educate the public about the realities of Mitochondrial Disease. The Rochdale community has a vital opportunity to contribute to this global effort by supporting ‘Aiman’s Mito Mission’ this September.