This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Boston's Premiere Kentucky Derby Day Party celebrates best hats, best dressed party-goers while benefitting MitoAction

WHAT: To celebrate and support patients and families facing the challenges of mitochondrial disease, the Sandra K. Russell Derby Day Benefit is a lively, fun event with delicious Derby-inspired food and cocktails, live broadcasts of the Kentucky Derby race, entertainment, live and silent auctions, and contests to celebrate the best hat and the best bow tie. The event raises funds for MitoAction, a nonprofit based in Boston that serves as the nation’s foremost advocacy, education, and support organization for patients and families facing the disease. The Derby Day Party follows MitoAction’s day-long clinical conference for doctors, nurses, and health care providers looking to learn more about treating and caring for mitochondrial disease patients.

WHEN: Sat. May 3; 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

WHERE: Mandarin Oriental Boston, 776 Boylston St., Boston

Find out what's happening in Charlestownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

WHY: Mitochondrial disease -- known as “Mito” -- is a genetic, chronic illness that causes debilitating physical, developmental, and mental disabilities. You can be born with it or it can develop later in life. It’s progressive and there is no cure. About 1 in 2,000 people has Mito. Symptoms may include poor growth, loss of muscle coordination, muscle weakness and pain, seizures, vision and/or hearing loss, gastrointestinal issues, learning disabilities, and heart, liver, or kidney failure. Mito is also related to autism, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and many other more common diseases.

TICKETS: Tickets start at $150 per person. Visit www.mitoaction.org/derbyday for more information or tickets.

Find out what's happening in Charlestownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

MEDIA CONTACT: Diana Brown McCloy, 978-697-9414; Diana@teakmedia.com

MitoAction is a 501(c)(3) charity formally incorporated in 2005 to provide programs and resources centered on support, education, and advocacy for patients and families affected by mitochondrial disease. For more information, visit www.mitoaction.org.

                                                                                ######

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Charlestown