In October 2008 the Mito Group of Idaho in support of UMDF (United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation) held its 2nd Annual Energy Bowl. Supporting Westley Clapp son of Andrea Keithline and Brock Clapp the Meridian Fire Department's Association was a Platinum Sponsor of this event. In total the event raised $2,700 to benefit the research for Mitochondrial Diseases. Mitochondrial diseases result from failures of the mitochondria, specialized compartments present in every cell of the body except red blood cells. Mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90% of the energy needed by the body to sustain life and support growth. When they fail, less and less energy is generated within the cell. Cell injury and even cell death follow. If this process is repeated throughout the body, whole systems begin to fail, and the life of the person in whom this is happening is severely compromised. The disease primarily affects children, but adult onset is becoming more and more common.
