On June 13, more than 65 people showed up to participate in the Cut Out Mito fundraiser at Everything's Hair in Larchmont, raising both awareness and money for this disease.

Mitochodrial Disease is one of the many diseases that very little research being done to find treatments and cures.  Since the fund's inception, $200,000 have been raised, with every dime going to research, and nothing to overhead expenses or salaries – and now $4,500 have been added to that amount thanks to Everything's Hair.

The fundraiser was the brainchild of co-owners of Everything's Hair Dina Mottola and Ginger Pulcino.  They wanted to sponsor an event to help their client Gaby Mileti raise money for the charity she founded with her family. Gaby's son Joey Mileti - at 2 ½ years old - was given three months to live when diagnosed with this disease.  Gaby, her husband Joe and other family members learned that little research was being done to help their son and others so they established The JDM Fund for Mitochondrial Research (a 503c3) to raise awareness of this disease. 

The symptoms of the disease vary widely from poor growth, loss of muscle coordination and neurological problems and seizures, to heart, liver and kidney disease.  Joey's motor function is severely affected, including walking and coordination. Since there is no approved treatment for the disease, Joey is on a cocktail of vitamins to try to improve the function of the mitochondria and slow the progression of the disease.

"A big thank you goes out to Dina and Ginger for sponsoring this event, and the Everything's Hair stylists and team who offered their time off to raise money for this cause," said Gaby Mileti, Joey's mom.  "When you see so many people volunteering and donating for a cause that gets very little recognition, you feel like there really is hope for a cure."  

People filled the cash donation box, while some walk-ins gave checks to the fund when the stylists were overbooked, and others dropped off money after the event too, making up the $4,500.

"We really appreciate the other local businesses and people who helped with donations and the raffles so we want to thank: Angelina's Restaurant, Applause Westchester, Belizzi's, Elise Glazer of Flower Design, The Nail House, Rita's Ices, Trader Joe's, Twinkle Toes, Village Square Bagels.  Their participation in the raffles and giveaways made the event even more special," said Maria Markey, Joey Mileti's aunt and manager of this fund.

For those who would like to still donate, donations can be made to:

The JDM Fund for Mitochondrial Research

1333A North Ave. #611

New Rochelle, NY 10804

(914) 637-3712

This disease is a chronic, genetic disorder that occurs when the mitochondria of the cell fails to produce enough energy for cell or organ function.  Mitochodria are tiny organelles found in almost every cell in the body and are considered the powerhouse of the cell – necessary to sustain life.  Responsible for more than 90 percent of cellular energy, failure of mitochondrial function causes cell injury, leading to cell death.  When multiple organ cells die, organ failure results. It affects about 1 in 4,000 individuals in the United States.