Jul 17, 2019
Today’s interview is with a guest I’ve previously had on the Extra Mile, Julia Vitarello. If you haven’t heard that episode, I urge you to. It is one of the most moving episodes I have ever recorded. In that episode, which was around two years ago, Julia told us the story of her daughter Mila, who at age 6 was diagnosed with an extremely rare and currently incurable neurodegenerative disease called Batten Disease.
At the time, Julia was embarking on funding a very expensive clinical trial to try to slow the progression of the disease. Until then, there was little-to-no research or any resources for Batten Disease. And even less about the unique type that Mila has.
Julia went on to start Mila’s Miracle Foundation to Stop Batten and set off a series of fast-moving and ground-breaking innovations in research and medicine which have begun to pave a path for treatment for hundreds of similar neurodegenerative diseases.
You won’t believe this story. When I first heard it, it hit me very hard. And it has hit me just as hard today. As a parent, I cannot imagine what it would be like to watch any child, much less your own, go through something so devastating. Julia’s fight for Mila, and now for millions of other suffering families, is nothing short of heroic.
A huge thank you to Julia for taking the time to walk with me and continue to share Mila’s story with us.
Click HERE to help support the fight against Batten Disease.
#EveryMileMatters