We are delighted to have some well-known faces supporting the Mito Foundation. Through their participation in our campaigns, sharing our story with the media and highlighting the search for a cure for mito on social media, they have helped to raise awareness of mitochondrial disease and much needed funds.
Pat Cummins
Australian Cricket Captain, Pat Cummins is admired around the world as one of the greats. What stands out even more is the way he carries himself as a person. He is respected for his calm leadership, his sense of fairness, and his ability to bring people together both on and off the field.
Beyond cricket, Pat is known for his warmth and humility. He takes time for others, shows genuine care, and approaches challenges with quiet strength. These qualities have made him a role model not only for young athletes but for anyone who values integrity and kindness in everyday life.
Pat’s journey has been defined by dedication, resilience and balance. His presence as an ambassador reflects the same qualities that have earned him respect across the sporting world: a steady commitment to giving his best and to lifting up those around him.
Pat has a personal connection to mito, with extended family members suffering from the disease. Sadly, Pat has lost two of his extended family to mito over recent years.
“As a professional cricketer I am able to train and play for hours with little effect to my energy reserves. In stark contrast, mitochondrial disease affects adults and children to the point where they often have no energy to fulfill even life’s most basic functions.
“Mito has robbed my extended family of so much. I hope that as an Ambassador for the Mito Foundation, I can raise awareness and help find a cure for the many impacted by this devastating disease.”
John D’Arcy
Dr John D’Arcy is known to many Australians through his radio Health Check programme. He began his broadcasting career many years ago at Seven News, and was the first doctor appointed to an Australian newsroom. John is a regular columnist for New Idea magazine.
“I find it exciting to be associated with the Mito Foundation. Mitochondrial medicine is rapidly moving ahead – treatments for mito disorders are being trialled, and more are in the pipeline. These, along with gene therapy, will provide real hope for mito sufferers.”
John Howard
John Howard is an Australian stage and screen actor. Howard is best known for his appearances in the film The Club, and the television series SeaChange, Always Greener, All Saints and Packed To The Rafters.
Having studied (at least a few years of) Medicine at Univeristy before pursuing his acting career, John knows enough about mitochondrial disease to be dangerous. John is the Mito Foundation’s longest serving ambassador and a much cherished member of our “mito community”.
“The Mito Foundation supports families who have to deal with the sneaking scourge of mito. It also raises money for much needed research into this affliction. With your assistance we hope to find adequate treatment and a cure for mitochondrial disease”
Kate Ritchie
Kate Ritchie is probably best known for her role in the TV drama Home and Away. Kate left the long-running series in 2008 after 20 years of playing Sally Fletcher and took on the challenging role of breakfast radio with Nova 969. With her foot still firmly in the door of radio broacasting she continues to act and present both reality and live television. Kate is also the face for Vaseline Skin & Body and dedicates her time to numerous charities. It was in early 2013 Kate returned to Home and Away as a guest with her onscreen daughter Pippa (Piper Morrissey) who had been diagnosed with mito. With Home and Away being screened in over 100 countries the storyline has raised awareness of mito and the desperate search for a cure not only with Australians but with a much larger, international audience.
“My return to Home and Away was always dependent on having a worthy storyline to sink my teeth into. What I didn’t realise was that it would prove to be so rewarding.
“The positive response to the journey of Sally and her daughter, Pippa, has been overwhelming. Not only from families already touched by mitochondrial disease but from thousands of others who, like me, had never before heard of it.
“You can sometimes forget the impact of being able to reach into people’s lounge rooms every night of the week, all over the world. I can only hope that the awareness this story has created will continue to have a positive follow-on effect when it comes to further education, research and donations forthcoming.”
Emma Vosti
Emma Vosti is a television presenter, journalist and producer with a unique talent for storytelling and engaging her audience. Her down to earth charm sees her covering a diverse range of genres from chatting to celebrities on the red carpet to interviewing some of Australia's most elite athletes at the Winter Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games, Winter Paralympic Games, Melbourne Cup Carnival, Spring and Autumn Racing Carnivals, Cricket Test Series, Wimbledon and the Australian Open.
Emma has a personal connection with mito, with her Uncle being diagnosed with mitochondrial disease in recent years. She did her first Bloody Long Walk in 2019 and is keen to come back for more!
"I crossed the finish line exhausted and blistered, but that is nothing compared to what people with mito go through every day of their lives. I am proud to support the incredible work of the Mito Foundation to help mito sufferers and fight for a better future for them."
