Putting mito on the map - The Lily Foundation
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Fighting mito,
finding hope.

Hot air balloon floating in the sky with 'Putting mito on the map' logo on Hot air balloon floating in the sky with 'Putting mito on the map' logo on

Putting mito on the map

Join us this September to raise awareness, share knowledge and stand in solidarity with everyone affected by mitochondrial disease.

World Mitochondrial Disease Week 2025

From Land’s End to John O’Groats, we’re on a mission to get people talking about mitochondrial disease. Raising awareness helps drive research, increase donations and improve care – and World Mitochondrial Disease Week is the perfect time to make that happen.

What is World Mitochondrial Disease Week?

Every September, World Mitochondrial Disease Week brings people together around the world to shine a light on mitochondrial disease.

An initiative of the International Mito Patients (IMP), a group which unites mitochondrial disease patient organisations around the world, it’s a real collaborative effort to spread the word about incurable mitochondrial disorders, the impact they have on patients and families, and the desperate need to develop treatments to alleviate symptoms and improve lives.

When is World Mitochondrial Disease Week?

This year’s awareness week runs from Monday 15th to Sunday 21st September, and we’re making it our mission to put mitochondrial disease on the map all over the country. Together let’s make this year’s event the biggest and most far-reaching yet!

How can I get involved?

These are just some of the fun and exciting ways you can make a difference in the fight against mito, wherever you live:

Get yourself a Twibbon

Show your support online by adding our World Mitochondrial Disease Week twibbon to your social media profile. It’s a small gesture with a big impact.

Simply follow the instruction on the link above to start spreading the word. (This is a free service so please don’t enter any payment details at any point.)

Share mito facts

Help us raise awareness by sharing key facts and stats on social media. We’ve created easy-to-use graphics and videos you can download and share.

We’ll be sharing these during awareness week too, but feel free to share them whenever you like – and don’t forget to include the #mitoaware hashtag.

Take a Stand against mito

Whether it’s in your school, workplace or community space, setting up a Lily awareness stand is a powerful way to start conversations and make mito visible.

Request your free pack today, filled with leaflets, wristbands, stickers, bunting, balloons and plenty more to help get the word out there.

Light Up for Mito – Saturday 20th September

Every year, buildings and landmarks around the world glow green to raise awareness of mitochondrial disease. But you don’t need a monument to make an impact.

Gateshead Millennium Bridge lit up green in the darkness over the River Tyne

This World Mitochondrial Disease Week, we’re inviting everyone to Light Up for Mito – whether it’s a local landmark, your front porch, garden or living room. Anywhere you can shine a green light, you can spark a conversation.

If you’d like to request a significant building in your area to take part, we’ve got a ready-to-use email template you can adapt. Or simply grab a green bulb, LED strip or lantern and light up your space at home.

It’s a great way to show your support, raise awareness in your community and share a powerful image on social media. And don’t forget to tag us, as we’ll be highlighting your photos throughout the week!

Why raise awareness about mitochondrial disease?

Did you know mitochondrial dysfunction has been identified as a key factor in other, more common, diseases including dementia, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and cancer? The research The Lily Foundation funds and supports therefore has the potential to benefit not only mitochondrial disease patients but millions of others too. That’s why, despite being a little-known condition, mitochondrial disease could be the key to some of the most important medical breakthroughs of our time.

Need help or inspiration?

Whether you’re planning something big or small, we’re here to help! Get in touch for ideas, materials or support – and don’t forget to let us know what you’re up to.

Whatever you’re doing to mark World Mitochondrial Disease Week, we’d love to share it. Tag us on XFacebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Tiktok or email [email protected] and we’ll help spread the word far and wide!