Make-A-Wish child honored for Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week

SURF CITY, NC (WWAY) — A Make-A-Wish Foundation child is being recognized during Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week.

Awareness for the disease runs today through Saturday.

Natalie Garcia, 11, came to Surf City for a Make-a-Wish Foundation trip in June. At 5 years old, Natalie was diagnosed with a rare mitochondrial disease that her mom says only 18 other people in the world had at the time.

A Facebook group called The Mito Life is raising awareness about the disease through children like Natalie.

The Garcia’s told WWAY they had the time of their lives after spending a week in Surf City hosted by the whole community.