In a journal entry from September 24, 2008 (Exactly three years before this year’s walk!), Amanda Perrotta wrote: “When you become ill, you instantly try to find other people who are going through the same thing. Let me tell from experience that finding adults/kids who have the same thing (illness) helps, but you also have to realize that you have family and friends that want to be there for you…I bet you will find love and support everywhere you go if you let people in on your illness.”
Love and support for the Mito community were certainly on display at the third annual AJF Mito Walk at The Crossings of Colonie. You could see in the faces, and read it on the t-shirts. AJF volunteer Kristen Russell took these wonderful photos of “Mito kid” Emma and her good friend. The smiles (and the t-shirts) say it all!
Thanks for walking! - September 26, 2011
Thanks to all who participated in any way in our 3rd Mito Walk at the Crossings of Colonie. It was another great success, and the funds raised will stay here in upstate New York helping children with Mito and their caregivers. The Amanda's Journey Foundation is a small, local, all volunteer organization; and we could not put on events like the walk without the help of many wonderful and talented people.
The Amanda's Journey crew is home from the U.M.D.F. Mitochondrial Medicine Conference in Schaumburg, IL. We met so many wonderful people: doctors, researchers, volunteers, and of course, adults and children dealing with Mito. As a "Mito mom", Jacki was able to help many other parents, both by sharing her experiences with Amanda, and by lending an ear to those who needed to tell their stories. It was a very moving and rewarding experience.
Generous Donation - June 7, 2011
The Amanda's Journey Foundation is grateful to Jo Lyn Borst for the donation of a Dell laptop computer. It will be put to good use next week when three AJF volunteers head to the Chicago for the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation conference. Look for updates from the convention hall on this site and our Facebook page.
Bowl-a-thon scores big! - March 8, 2011
The first AJF Bowl-a-thon was a great event, and the funds raised will help with the April 2nd Mito Awareness Day (see our calendar page). Thanks to all who bowled, volunteered, sponsored & bought those 50/50 tickets.
For years there has been a wonderful Facebook page dedicated to Amanda (thanks Aunt Kim!), and we hope you have been there often.
Recently the Amanda's Journey Foundation launched its own Facebook page to keep folks up to date on the good work our volunteers are doing, and to find more talented and caring folks to work with us on our mission to assist those affected by diseases of the mitochondria.
Please check it out!
Come blog with AJF - November 6, 2010
Wonderful news!! Amanda's Journey Foundation blog page is now open for business!! Send us your questions and comments, or tell us if you have anything you would like to see the foundation do.
Amanda's Journey (and Abby) at the Library - October 16, 2010
Abby the Cairn terrier was among those in attendance at the William Sanford Library (Colonie, NY) on Thusday night as Jacki Perrotta addressed a small, but keenly interested group. The biggest news of the evening: Jacki announced that the family has found another of Amanda's handwritten journals.
We want to tell your story - October 4, 2010
If you have a family member dealing with a Mitochondrial Disease the Amanda's Journey Foundation would love to tell their story here on our website. This is particularly true if you live in our "neighborhood": New York's Capital Region, Mohawk Valley, and Southern Adirondack's; as well as Western Massachusetts and Southern Vermont.
Folks who attended the 2009 and 2010 Remembrance Walks have probably guessed that purple and green were Amanda’s favorite colors. After all, how could you miss all those t-shirts? But at both walks you should have also noted the sky blue tee’s of the “Mitey Maddy” team.
Maddy is a beautiful young girl with a winning smile who has a form of Mitochondrial Disease. Maddy also has plenty of friends and family eager to show their support, and we are looking forward to seeing even more blue t-shirts next year!
Walk Stories - Part Four - September 26, 2010
Amanda Perrotta’s big sis Carolyn is a graduate of the Oakwood Christian School in Troy, NY (Amanda herself briefly attended Oakwood). O.C.S. was represented at the 2nd Annual Remembrance Walk by well over two dozen students, teachers, parents and alumni.
The Oakwood crew painted faces, performed songs, created balloon animals, took pictures, helped to man booths, and so much more. A big thank you goes out to all the O.C.S. “Warriors” who are helping in the fight against Mito.
Walk Stories - Part Three - September 23, 2010
At Saturday's walk, Kayt Marra of the Albany Medical Center presented a speech on behalf of Dr. Adams and the genetics staff. We thank her for her kind words about the Morrison, LaFond-Evans, and Perrotta families. Here are few a of her remarks regarding Amanda Perrotta:
"She has given more back than she received in this life through her writing, her wit, her determination, and in her faith. In short, she’s that little snowball that is catching momentum as it comes down the hill. Each year more lives are touched, more people assisted, and most of all, people are given hope."
"Above all, she was full of sunshine, and she left us her thoughts about her journey of life. She truly had an amazing way of getting around this thing called Mito; she enjoyed life, and she brought enjoyment to others. Mito, as bad as it is, never had a better ambassador."
Walk Stories - Part Two - September 22, 2010
Last September, Cathy LaFond-Evans attended the first Remembrance Walk with her daughter Randi. Cathy also presided over the Adult Mito Forum at the 2nd Annual Mito Awareness Day held this past May. Sadly, Randi lost her battle with Mitochandrial Disease on July 25th of this year.
On Saturday at the Crossings Cathy walked in Randi's honor pushing her wheelchair and carrying a loving tribute to her dear daughter. Our thanks go out to Cathy for all she's done to promote awareness of Mito; like so many others, we know she's just begun to tell this story.
Walk Stories - Part One - September 21, 2010
Tommy Morrison was just an infant when he passed away from Mito. The foundation created in his name has helped many local families cover their bills when medical expenses piled up. Tommy's cousins attended the 2nd Annual Remembrance Walk and were acknowledged for raising over $200 with a lemonade stand.
Kids helping kids; Tommy and Amanda are surely smiling. If your family is in need of financial assistance, contact the Thomas Patrick Morrison Foundation www.tpmfoundation.org .
Thanks to Everyone! - September 20, 2010
Saturday's Remembrancce Walk raised about $15,000 to assist families dealing with "Mito", and to continue Amanda's mission of raising awareness and raising spirits!
The Perrottas and the Amanda's Journey Foundation wishes to thank all the walkers, sponsors, vendors and donors who helped make the Remembrance Walk a great day. Also thanks to all the local media who promoted and covered the event. Lastly, a special thank you to all the musicians who gave generously of their talents. Please check our Photo page for several currently posted galleries (we'll be adding more soon).
This Thursday, September 16th, Julie Chapman of YNN (Time Warner Cable's Your News Now) welcomed Jacki Perrotta to promote saturday's Remembrance Walk. YNN has promoted several Amanda-related events in the past, and the Perrotta family is very grateful!
The Colonie Spotlight (a weekly publication available at many supermarkets & news stands in the town of Colonie) has a great piece in the September 8th issue entitled "Amanda's Journey continues". Writer Andrew Beam covers many points including the recent Mito Awareness Day, the upcoming Remembrance Walk and of course, "Amazing Amanda: My Journey Through Mito".
Mr. Beam did a great job, and this article certainly captures the spirit of Amanda. Please click this link to read the story:
On page 3 of this week's issue of Latham Life you'll find a wonderful article about Amanda and the Second Annual Remembrance Walk (Saturday, Septemeber 18th at the Crossings of Colonie).
Writer Jennifer Dugan spoke to Amanda's dad Louis Perrotta, and to AJF treasurer Karen DuJack, and both are quoted in the piece. Latham Life is a free weekly newspaper affiliated with The Record (Troy, NY).
About this time last year, Jerry Gretzinger of CBS 6 did a wonderful piece on Amanda, and helped promote last years walk (this years walk is September 18th, please sign up to walk!).
Talk 1300 Comes Through Again! - September 3, 2010
For the second time this year Talk 1300 has welcomed Jacki and Louis Perrotta to their studios at the Times Union Center in Albany. Once again Melody Burns and the Talk 1300 staff have helped the Perrotta's get the word out on "Amazing Amanda" and the foundation named after her.
So what could be better than that? The station is now creating P.S.A.'s about the upcoming Remembrance Walk that will soon hit the airwaves. Those who missed today's broadcast can hear it on our Flash Player (just look at the top of the page), or on our "Audio" page. Thanks again to everyone at Talk 1300.
Remembrance Walk on September 18 - September 1, 2010
At noon on September 18th we will be walking to raise funds for several Mito-related charities, and walking to raise awareness of Mitochondrial Disease. Many of us will be walking in remembrance of Amanda. Please join us at the beautiful Crossings of Colonie.
Registration (and live music!) begins at 10 a.m., come join the fun!
Thanks to Jeff Miter & 19-Enterprises - August 15, 2010
The Perrotta family and the Amanda's Journey Foundation send out an enormous thank you to Jeff Miter of 19-Enterprises. Jeff is the man who built the original Amanda's Journey website, and over the past few years he has put in countless volunteer hours maintaining and updating it.
Jeff has not been the most visible of volunteers, but he has been on board since the begining, and his wonderful contributions have been there to see every day. Those interested in his professional services can visit www.19-enterprises.com .
A New Duo - August 12, 2010
On page 421 of "Amazing Amanda: My Journey Through Mito", Amanda presents a wonderful list of things she wants to do in 2009. Number three on that list is convincing her sister Carolyn to try out for "American Idol" or "So you think You Can Dance". Well that hasn't happened yet, but Amanda, here's the next best thing: Carolyn is part of a new singing duo with her college friend Emily Zeh.
Carolyn and Emily will make their Capital Region debut at The Remembrance Walk on Saturday, September 18th. Please see our calendar page for more details on this event.
The Strongest Endorsement - July 30, 2010
The strongest endorsements for "Amazing Amanda: My Journey Through Mito" are not the ones that come from those who personally knew her, they, after all, had the advantage of seeing and hearing Amanda on a regular basis, and could not base their opinions of the book strictly on it's contents.
Michele Juda of Ballston Spa, NY never met Amanda. After speaking at the 2nd Annual Mito Awareness Day, Michele was presented a copy of Amanda's book. Here is some of what she had to say about it:
"What a life changing gift!! I want you to know that I went home and proceeded to read every word. At first I was reading through it somewhat quickly, interested to learn more, to get to the next page…before long, however, I knew that this book was meant to be read slowly as there is so much to learn and think about on every page."
"Amanda and your entire family proceeded to amaze me as I read. There really are no words, it is something felt in the heart...the more I read the more it made sense… Amanda was saying to me that good enough, B+, is really just that, good enough and that I need to stop searching for the A+ and just be positive and thankful for the gifts I have today. What a lesson from a 16 year old that I never met!"
"Having lost a sister, I know how important it is to know that others remember. I want you to know that I will always remember Amanda and your family. Her mission was to teach lessons and I have become her student. I thank you for the privilege of getting to know Amanda through her words."
