Fighting mito,
finding hope.
All we want for Christmas is… for Felix to have a future free of mitochondrial disease.
Mitochondrial disease, or ‘mito’, is a rare, complex and difficult-to-diagnose genetic disorder that affects people in very different ways. It can affect any organ at any age, and often occurs in babies and young children. There is currently no cure, but we’re working hard to change that, and are the largest charitable funder of mitochondrial research in Europe.
Mitochondrial dysfunction has been identified as a key factor in other more common diseases including dementia, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and cancer. The research we fund and support not only holds promise for individuals with mitochondrial disorders, but has the potential to benefit millions of others too.
That’s why, despite being a little-known disease, mitochondrial disease could be the key to some of the most important medical breakthroughs of our time.
This Christmas, while families around the UK gather to unwrap presents and build memories together, baby Felix and his parents, Jess and Joe, are holding onto something far bigger.
Felix was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease – a devastating genetic condition that robs the body's cells of energy. For babies like Felix, the future, new treatments and a cure for mito can’t come fast enough.
At The Lily Foundation, our list is simple. All we want for Christmas is hope, research, answers and an eventual cure for this devastating condition. But we can’t get there without your support.
Our guide will help you make sense of your condition. Find easy-to-understand explainers, science simplified and the reassurance that we’re with you every step of the way.
Raised
since 2007
Families
supported
Donated
to patients
Research projects
funded
As we mark Trustees’ Week this week, we’re delighted to welcome three new trustees to The Lily Foundation board. Each brings a different set of skills and a strong personal commitment to those affected by mitochondrial disease, as we look to reach and support more patients and families in 2027 and beyond.
Choosing charity Christmas gifts means your presents also support a good cause. When you buy from The Lily Foundation’s Christmas shop, or raise funds while you shop online, your money goes towards supporting families affected by mitochondrial disease and funding research into treatments.
For Kerry and Ryan, Baby Loss Awareness Week has always held special significance. A midwife for over 14 years, Kerry’s supported countless families through pregnancy, birth and loss. But last year, the week took on an entirely different meaning when the couple had to say goodbye to their baby daughter just four weeks and four days after she was born.
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