Acton Pharmacy Takes Action for Mitochondrial Disease
Boston, MA (PRWEB) August 08, 2015 -- Acton Pharmacy, an accredited compounding pharmacy in Acton, is teaming up with MitoAction to support people with mitochondrial disease, a broad spectrum of disorders that affect an estimated 80,000 Americans – one in every 4,000 people. Acton Pharmacy will be helping to expand outreach and support to mitochondrial disease patients by sponsoring MitoAction New England, a social and educational support group for patients and families in the region.
Mitochondrial disease is an inherited chronic illness that can be present at birth or develop later in life. It causes debilitating physical, developmental, and cognitive disabilities with symptoms including 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.
Although no FDA-approved treatments for mitochondrial diseases exist today, researchers and physicians each year gain a deeper understanding of the disorders, and, in partnership with compounding pharmacists, are developing therapies to help individuals suffering from these disorders maintain and enhance their health.
MitoAction New England will build upon the work of volunteer Julie Gortze, who has been a leader in providing guidance, support, education, and awareness for families living with mitochondrial disease. The group holds regular support meetings and social events, hosts speakers, and conducts educational presentations. Gortze will continue to serve as the coordinator of the group.
“As someone dedicated to helping others with mitochondrial disease in New England, I am proud and honored to partner with MitoAction and Acton Pharmacy,” said Gortze. “I’m excited about reaching more people as we expand our programs, events, and social activities.” The Mito New England support group was first established by Gortze, who serves as a volunteer patient advocate and lives with mitochondrial disease.
Acton Pharmacy will be featured at every MitoAction New England meeting and will sponsor an upcoming speaker.
“We look forward to the opportunity to become more involved with patients and families through MitoAction New England,” said Saad Dinno, RPh, FIACP, FACA, co-owner of Acton Pharmacy.
“Although MitoAction serves a global community, we are still based in Boston and are proud of our New England roots,” said Cristy Balcells, executive director of MitoAction. “Through this partnership, we will be able to grow our patient and family support offerings and educational programming throughout the region.”
The MitoAction New England partnership will kick off with a social event from 12 noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 at the World War I Memorial Park in North Attleboro. Visit http://www.mitoaction.org/files/MitoActionNE.pdf for a flyer of the event.
For more information about the event, and to RSVP, email support(at)mitoaction(dot)org. For further information about mitochondrial disease, visit http://www.mitoaction.org.
Acton Pharmacy, West Concord Pharmacy, and Keyes Drug are independent pharmacies under the Dinno Health brand. Each store is a full-service pharmacy, offering prescription items and other specialty items such as medical supplies, surgical stockings, homeopathic remedies, and a full line of vitamins and vaccines. Compounded medications are available at Acton Pharmacy and Keyes Drug.
Ginger DeShaney, MitoAction, http://www.mitoaction.org, +1 6175042357, [email protected]
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