October 1 at Grattan Raceway

It has been stated that 1 in 4,000 children will develop a Mitochondrial Disease by the age of 10 years old (mitoaction.org.)  My child is the 1 in 4000.  There is no cure for this disease and most who hear of it have the same response, “What’s Mitochondrial Disease?”
My name is Michelle DeWitt.  I’m the mother of two kids.  My oldest, Easton, is a 9 year old boy who has considered all dirt bike riders his role model, next to his Dad, since he was 2 years old.  He has developed a love for racing and hopes one day to compete in freestyle events.  Easton has only one other passion that comes close to his love for dirt bikes, the battle against Mitochondrial Disease.  His baby sister, Payton, who is now 5 years old, was diagnosed at 18 months with this horrendous disease. Mitochondrial Disease is a deficiency in the body’s ability to form energy leaving all other organs and life supporting functions to suffer.  It preys on adults with later onset, but it also preys on innocent children forcing their lives to be hindered by this monster.  Symptoms range in severity from mild to fatal.  There is no treatment, no cure and minimal research is being completed due to lack of funding. There is only care, comfort and maintenance for the patient.
Payton’s Race for a Cure is a non-profit organization that’s mission is to support advocacy, awareness and ultimately a cure for Mitochondrial Disease.  On October 1, 2011 the third annual Payton’s Race for a Cure will take place.  We are very pleased to announce that we were able to raise $10,000.00 and donate this whole amount to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (www.UMDF.org) and MitoAction (www.mitoaction.org) in 2010.  This year we expect to greatly exceed this amount, with helpful sponsors such as you.
Please join us on October 1 at Grattan Raceway in Belding for the 3rd annual Payton’s Race for a cure. Riders will sign in at 8 a.m. and activities begin at 11 a.m. There will be dirt bike practice, kids activities, food concessions, 50/50 and much more! For more info, go to paytonsraceforacure.com.