bloody long walk

SpinifexIT Kim Rawlings joins bloody long walk challenge
SpinifexIT’s Kim Rawlings joins this year’s Bloody Long Walk
SpinifexIT’s Kim Rawlings joins this year’s Bloody Long Walk 1024 512 SpinifexIT

Kim Rawlings, SpinifexIT’s National Consulting Manager based in Australia shares her experience after participating in this year’s Bloody Long Walk, a fundraising event held annually to raise awareness about Mitochondrial disease and a challenge to find a cure for it. You may learn more about the Bloody Long Walk and what it aims to accomplish by visiting their about page. Kim recounts her experience below.

Kim Joins the Bloody Long Walk as part of “Nikki’s Army”

I participated as a part of a small team in the #BloodyLongWalk event last Sunday, August 26, 2018. It is a 35-Kilometre walk which started at Yarra Bend, going through Fairfield, and then finally finishing at the iconic St. Kilda Sea Baths. These events are held annually in each state of Australia. “Nikki’s Army”, our team of four, raised over $2,600, with SpinifexIT contributing $300 towards that goal. 

Not only was this a personal challenge for myself but the main focus was to raise awareness and much needed funds for the Mito foundation that supports sufferers and their families affected by Mitochondrial disease. Never heard of it? Please read on….

What is Mitochondrial Disease?

Mitochondrial disease (also known as “Mito”) affects 1 in 5,000 people, making it the second most commonly diagnosed, serious genetic disease after cystic fibrosis.

In fact, one in 200 people, or more than 120,000 Australians, may carry genetic mutations that put them at risk for developing mito or other related symptoms such as diabetes, deafness or seizures during their lifetimes. Many of these people are symptomatic but undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, some are not yet symptomatic, and others are unknowingly at risk of passing the disease on to their children. This is why The Bloody Long Walk is so important, not only does the event raise vital funds, it also raises awareness of this debilitating disease.

There are many forms of mitochondrial disease; it is highly complex and can affect anyone of any age.

The Mito Foundation supports sufferers and their families and raises funds for the essential research into the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of mitochondrial disorders. Their goal is to also increase the awareness and education about this devastating disease.

The money we, and many other participants raised through The Bloody Long Walk, will help people like affected Alana and Tom, and will enable AMDF to continue its vital work .

The Bloody Long Walk is owned and operated by AMDF.

Visit Mito.org.au for more information about Mito.

Catch Kim and the rest of the SpinifexIT Australia Team this October & November for SpinifexIT’s Australia Customer Days!

Click the image below to learn more about our Annual Customer Days and to view our schedules. Watch this space for more updates in the coming weeks.