The Lily Foundation was founded in 2007 by Liz Curtis in memory of her daughter Lily, who died from Mitochondrial Disease at eight months old. Finding little in the way of specialist knowledge or support available to help her through her ordeal, Liz set out to provide answers for herself and others in her situation.
What began as an informal network of family and friends quickly grew into a national charity which today supports over 1,000 families.
Run by a small team of dedicated staff backed by a medical board drawn from the UK’s top centres for Mitochondrial research, the Lily Foundation forms a vital link between patients, doctors and medical science bodies.
Mitochondrial Disease, or ‘mito’, is the term given to a group of medical disorders caused by mutations in Mitochondria, the tiny organelles that are present in nearly every cell in our bodies and which generate about 90% of the energy we need to live. Cells cannot function properly without healthy Mitochondria, so when they fail the consequences can be serious. There is currently no cure.
The Lily Foundation is the UK’s leading Mitochondrial Disease charity and the largest charitable funder of Mitochondrial research in Europe. Their mission is to improve the lives of people affected by Mitochondrial Disease, while working towards a future where Mitochondrial Diseases can be effectively treated or cured.
