Donate to fund United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation

Hi, my name is Ethan Espina, and I am raising money for the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) for the Chicago Marathon! UMDF aims to promote research and education for the diagnosis, treatment, and cure of mitochondrial disorders and to support affected individuals and families. 

Mitochondrial diseases are a group of devastating genetic disorders that affect the mitochondria, the powerhouse of our cells. When mitochondria don’t function properly, they can cause symptoms such as muscle weakness, chronic pain, seizures, developmental delays, stunted growth, and even life-threatening conditions like abnormal heart rhythms.

I am a student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where I study Molecular and Cellular Biology on the pre-med track. I’ve learned a lot in my studies about the mitochondria, and raising money for the UMDF is something I’m passionate about. Additionally, I also work as a medical assistant in a doctor’s office where I’ve seen and assisted in treating patients with a wide variety of diseases. This is my motivation for raising money for the cause of UMDF.

I am running the Chicago Marathon in October of 2025, and I have partnered with UMDF due to a passion for their cause! Your support means the world to me and to those battling mitochondrial diseases. Every dollar you contribute will help UMDF fund life-changing research, provide resources for families in need, and bring UMDF closer to a cure. Thank you for your time, generosity, and belief in this cause.