Close-up black and white of a man in glasses standing in a street

When we think there are no words, let’s start talking

2 December 2023

Christmas is a time to reflect on those we love as well as those we’ve lost, so to mark National Grief Awareness Week (2nd-8th December) we spoke with Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr Ben Marram about loss and how to deal with it.

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A group of five people standing in a restaurant window with a cityscape behind

Lily-sponsored researcher wins prize for mitochondrial disease thesis

9 November 2023

Back in December 2019, we were delighted to announce the latest addition to our Lily-funded research team, PhD student Yasmin Tang. Nearly four years on, not only has Yasmin completed her PhD but she’s been awarded the Faculty Doctoral Thesis Prize for her studies. Proof that we only back the best here at The Lily Foundation!

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A group of people lined up standing in front of a Lily-branded banner

Spreading the word about Lily to the professionals

7 November 2023

Raising awareness about mitochondrial disease, and about The Lily Foundation, is always top of our agenda so we were delighted to accept an invitation to talk about our work at the Annual Cambridge Paediatric Mitochondrial Meeting earlier in November.

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A lady with bobbed blonde hair smiling

Behind every good charity is a great board of trustees

6 November 2023

Charities are overseen by their board of trustees, who lead the organisation and decide how it’s run. To mark the occasion of Trustees Week (6th-10th November), we spoke to one of ours, Claire, about why she joined our board and what she gets out of the role.

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Something EPIC has arrived

26 October 2023

Research is the key to finding treatments and an eventual cure for mito, and we believe the real experts are the people living with the disease. That’s why we’re launching a new Expert Patient Input Committee – in short, EPIC: a committee made up entirely of people affected by mito who are willing to share their experiences to help shape research, clinical care and treatments.

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A lady in a Lily-branded t-shirt sitting behind a desk with Lily leaflets

Newcastle Patient Information Day 2023

20 October 2023

With Newcastle’s last Patient Information Day having taken place back in 2019, it was clear by the attendance this year that mitochondrial disease patients were delighted to have this social engagement back on the calendar. As were we, since it offers us a great chance to raise awareness amongst patients about our support services.

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A lady sits in a chair cradling a small baby in a hospital room

Breaking the silence about the lives that could have been

9 October 2023

Losing a baby is one of the hardest things any parent will ever go through. To mark the occasion of Baby Loss Awareness Week from 9th-15th October, we spoke with Beth about losing her baby son to mito and how she still carries her grief with her over 13 years later.

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A young man harnessed in a zip wire in trees giving a thumbs up to the camera

Friendship, fun and unforgettable adventures!

3 October 2023

What better way to feel part of a community than by gathering together for a weekend of shared physical challenges and emotional support in a stunning location. That’s exactly what motivated 18 young adult mito patients to head to the beautiful Lake District for the Lily Young Adult Weekend recently.

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2 ladies in Lily-branded t-shirts behind a desk holding a teddy bear

Mito awareness week – spreading the word far and wide, loud and clear

27 September 2023

A huge thank you to everyone who got involved in events before and during World Mitochondrial Disease Week earlier this month. You all did your bit to put mito on the map and help make this year’s awareness week bigger and better than ever before!

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Lily founder Liz and corporate fundraiser Sarah wearing black Lily hoodies and sitting side-by-side smiling on a swing seat

Making a difference through personal experience

26 September 2023

Last week, BBC Points West ran a story about team member Sarah, who came across The Lily Foundation back in 2018 after losing her two daughters to mitochondrial disease. She immediately began helping families affected by mito, before becoming team Lily’s Corporate Fundraiser.

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Lily founder Liz Curtis standing on stage holding her Who Cares Wins award, wearing a dark green dress and beaming

Lily founder honoured at star-studded awards ceremony

24 September 2023

Everyone at Lily HQ was delighted to hear the exciting news that our founder and CEO, Liz, was honoured with a National Lottery Local Health Hero Award at The Sun’s recent Who Cares Wins awards.

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Shining the spotlight on an inspirational Royal Parks runner

18 September 2023

Every summer the organisers of the Royal Parks Half Marathon launch their Inspire campaign to seek out five inspirational runners, and this year one of their winners is Lily supporter Reanna, whose daughter Milanna was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease at the age of 7 months.

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Original approaches in the quest for a cure

12 September 2023

The landscape around mitochondrial research is changing all the time as new approaches are considered and new projects undertaken, and we spoke with mitochondrial specialist Bert Smeets about how a trial using stem cells to treat muscle damage in mitochondrial myopathy patients could help in mitochondrial care.

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Hope for future mito research on the horizon

12 September 2023

Everyone at The Lily Foundation was delighted to hear the recent news that the UK is to rejoin Horizon Europe, the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation. Being back in the fold will mean exciting new opportunities for UK-based researchers.

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A lady with long dark hair cuddling a very young baby wrapped in a white knitted dress

Remembering Lily on her 17th birthday

4 September 2023

Last month would have been Lily’s 17th birthday, and to mark such a poignant milestone, founder and CEO Liz spoke with Yahoo News about how the charity first began and why she’s still working so hard all these years later to raise awareness about mito in Lily’s memory.

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A group of people standing on the top of a building smiling, with a city and blue sky behind

Improving the lives of mito patients with epilepsy

3 August 2023

We know through our mito patients and families that there’s a pressing need to develop epilepsy best practice guidelines, so Alison, The Lily Foundation’s Head of Research, was delighted to pack her suitcase and head over to Budapest to represent the charity at a recent global epilepsy best practice workshop.

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A group of children sitting on bean bags throwing their heads back with laughter

Wild horses couldn’t keep us away from the Lily Family Weekend!

27 July 2023

End-of-term traffic jams, train strikes, unseasonal weather and wild horses couldn’t stop around 60 mito families from coming together with medical experts, Lily staff and volunteers for this year’s highly anticipated Family Weekend.

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A group of people smiling at the camera whilst standing around a large banner advertising International Mito Patients

Celebrating 15 years of… partnerships

26 July 2023

As we continue to celebrate our milestone 15th year improving the lives of mito patients, this month we’re focusing on the partnerships we’ve created over those 15 years that have helped us build our charity and expand the mito community at home and around the world.

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A lady with short dark hair standing in a field wearing a gilet and scarf, laughing and looking just off camera

A pleasure doing business with you

26 July 2023

The Lily Foundation have a number of corporate connections who help us raise funds, and one such connection is with family-run business Mandarin Stone and their founder Alma Small. And whilst this is a corporate relationship, there’s a very personal reason why Alma donates to us year after year.

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Large group of people standing together in a room at a conference

Hearing the patient voice loud and clear at Euromit

23 June 2023

June saw the arrival once again of Euromit, the leading international conference on mitochondrial diseases. And there was a clear theme running through the event’s proceedings – the growing appreciation of the patient voice.

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A butterfly-shaped selfie station with flowers either side

A blooming display at Bath shopping centre this summer

6 June 2023

Every summer SouthGate Bath is transformed into a bright and vibrant floral spectacle, and this year we’re delighted that they’ve chosen The Lily Foundation as their charity partner to work with.

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Josey in her wedding dress and her husband Chris in suit, tie and buttonhole standing cheek-to-cheek

Blurring the lines between partner and carer

31 May 2023

Sometimes the line between partner and carer can become blurred, and that’s certainly the case for Josey, who’s married to Chris but has felt more like a full-time carer than a wife since his mito diagnosis. With Carers Week taking place in June, we wanted to highlight some of the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the quiet contributions they make to society.

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Close-up of Becca and her mum wearing face paint and smiling

“Hopefully I can help make people feel less alone”

25 May 2023

Every volunteer has a story to tell, so to mark Volunteers’ Week from 1st to 7th June we spoke to Becca, who regularly gives up her time to help The Lily Foundation. She told us about her motivations and how she benefits from the experience just as much as the charity does.

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Unlocking the secrets of mitochondrial disease with biomarkers

24 May 2023

As we know all too well, mitochondrial disease is a bit of a mystery. We don’t yet fully understand why it presents differently and progresses differently in individuals, nor do we know how to best treat and ultimately cure it. However we believe that biomarkers could hold the key to better understanding of this rare disease.

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Couple aim for new heights in remarkable fundraising journey

17 May 2023

May is National Walking Month, and two people really feeling the benefit of all that fresh air and exercise are Ami and Danny. The couple lost their baby son, Otto, to mito when he was only 4 months old, and since that tragic day they’ve been on a fundraising journey in his memory that will soon see them reaching new heights by summiting the highest mountain in Wales.

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Celebrating a medical breakthrough that could give affected families hope

10 May 2023

We're delighted to read that in a UK first at least one baby has now been born using a pioneering IVF technique known as ‘mitochondrial donation’. This is a huge step forward in the fight against devastating mitochondrial diseases, which are life-limiting genetic conditions for which there is currently no cure.

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50 fabulous fundraisers smash six-figure sum at London Marathon

9 May 2023

It may have been a soggy one at this year’s London Marathon, but the rain didn’t dampen the spirits of our amazing runners, nor those of our rowdy cheer squads who yelled and shouted from beneath umbrellas and waterproofs to spur our athletes along the 26.2-mile course.

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Lily Fight Night packs a punch to raise over £18,000

4 May 2023

There’s always a sense of anticipation leading up to Lily Fight Night, and this year was no different. Over 350 spectators packed into The Clapham Grand, eager to watch our fundraising fighters, with many more tuning in to enjoy the action via our YouTube live stream. And the evening certainly lived up to expectations!

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10 facts about dystonia and mitochondrial disease

3 May 2023

To mark Dystonia Awareness Week (3rd - 11th May) we are sharing 10 facts about the disorder and its link to mitochondrial conditions.

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We’re making mito a global topic

21 April 2023

We know how tough it is to get a mito diagnosis here in the UK, so imagine living somewhere like Zambia, Brazil, India or Turkey – it must be almost impossible to get answers. Imagine if there was a network that connected these less-developed communities with our more advanced patient resources, information and expertise. That was right up there as our charity mission when we attended the 16th UK Neuromuscular Translational Research Conference at UCL last month.

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Celebrating 15 years of… patient advocacy

17 April 2023

One of the reasons The Lily Foundation exists is to help give a voice to mito patients and their families, to enable them to have a say in the services and support available. A lot has changed in the last 15 years, and we’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but we don’t intend to rest on our laurels, because understanding mitochondrial disease is the key to unlocking effective treatments and that eventual cure.

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Ian

The mito ‘action man’ with a mountain to climb

14 April 2023

If you couldn’t walk, couldn’t see properly and were hampered by a severe lack of energy, climbing a mountain probably wouldn’t be top of your ‘to do’ list. Not so for mito patient Ian, who has set himself the remarkable challenge of summiting Snowdon this summer.

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Chrissy

Money matters for Lily’s newest recruit

14 April 2023

As part of our mission to support families affected by mitochondrial disease, we believe that should cover financial support too. So we’re delighted to welcome our new Benefits Advisor, Chrissy, to the Lily team. We caught up with her to see how she’s planning to help mito patients and their families navigate the tricky topic of financial welfare.

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Donna and Harry

Unfinished business at the London Marathon

6 April 2023

Three years ago, on the day of her son Harry’s 10th birthday, Donna should have been running the London Marathon. But the pandemic was sweeping across the globe and the race was cancelled. Fast forward to today and Harry is about to turn 13, while Donna has some unfinished business with the race.

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Andy and Dom

Meet the heavyweight hopefuls punching well above their weight

4 April 2023

It’s the biggest night in boxing history since The Rumble in the Jungle… Secure your ringside seat today to witness The Clash at the Clapham, part of the famous Lily Fight Night taking place on Thursday 27th April at the iconic Clapham Grand in London.

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Lily lorry

Celebrating 15 years of... Lily friendship

30 March 2023

As part of our anniversary, we're celebrating 15 years of friendship. That's 15 years of bringing mito patients together, connecting both the young and the old and giving them the opportunity to talk to one another about what they're going through and how they might be feeling. Here are just some of the ways we're doing this.

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Bal

No one’s voice should go unheard

30 March 2023

What would you do if you knew that one day you’d no longer be able to speak? No longer be able to talk to your family or chat with your friends? That’s the harsh reality for mito patient Bal, whose voice is rapidly deteriorating, and who’s ready to spread the word about the positive effects of voice banking.

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Alison and Julie

How our latest partnership is driving research forward

21 March 2023

The Lily Foundation is at the forefront of seeking treatments, and eventually a cure, for mitochondrial disease, and collaboration with others is essential in driving that research forward. One of our most exciting ongoing partnerships is with The PolG Foundation, so we spoke with the charity’s co-founder, Julie, to understand how the foundation was born and how their relationship with us has blossomed.

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15th anniversary Lily Ball raises over £75,000

14 March 2023

We may have just had The Oscars but there was just as much glitz at The Lily Foundation's annual charity ball, which had its share of dazzling dresses, glamorous guests and moving speeches. But the real stars of the show were the young adults who stole everyone’s hearts with their poignant accounts of the reality of living with mitochondrial disease.

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Katrin Bangel, The Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research

Research focus: TRANSFORM study update

13 March 2023

Katrin Bangel of The Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research tells us about a study into a potentially life-changing new treatment for mito patients affected by epileptic seizures which is now ready to begin in earnest and looking for patients to take part.

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Katie presenting at Oxford's Patient Information Evening

Oxford Patient Information Evening 2023

10 March 2023

Last week saw the first in-person mito Patient Information Evening since the Covid pandemic, and it’s clear from the attendance – and distances travelled – that everyone was delighted to be able to come together in person once again.

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Kerrie

“I’m just trying to keep everybody happy – myself included”

8 March 2023

Fortunately, these days we’re surrounded by women setting incredible examples to us, balancing their careers with bringing up children alongside all the other demands of modern life. But what about when those children have special needs?

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Wish fund buggy

Lily Wish Fund

27 February 2023

For 15 years now we’ve been providing much-needed support to sufferers of mitochondrial disease, their families and carers. There are lots of ways to make the lives of affected families easier and more enjoyable, but they can come at a price. And that’s why we’re delighted to launch the Lily Wish Fund.

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Kevin at the Comedy Night

Still funny after 15 years!

27 February 2023

What do you get when you cross several side-splitting stand-ups with a fantastic charity? A winning formula for the legendary Lily Comedy Night, of course!

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Amy headshot

What's it like to be rare?

13 February 2023

In lots of ways Amy’s just like any other twenty-something. But she's also very rare, because she suffers from mitochondrial disease, which is a very rare genetic disorder. It’s Rare Disease Day on February 28th, so to shine a spotlight on the millions of people around the world living with a rare disease, we asked Amy to tell us what it’s like to be rare.

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Prof Gorman

The results are in from more Lily-funded research

8 February 2023

The Lily Foundation were proud to co-fund the first study to investigate the role of a Low Residue Diet (LRD) in helping to improve gut symptoms in patients with mitochondrial disease.

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Ella with feeding tube

The medical device that’s transformed Ella’s life

7 February 2023

For some parents, learning their child needs to use a feeding tube can make them feel anxious and overwhelmed, but as part of Feeding Tube Awareness Week we wanted to share a heart-warming story that showcases the incredible benefit a feeding tube can bring.

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"The one place we can be ourselves"

3 February 2023

At the recent 49th British Paediatric Neurology Association conference in Edinburgh, we found ourselves one of just eight exhibitors invited to host a stand and display our work. What’s more, it was with great excitement that we discovered The Lily Foundation were the only charity selected to deliver an oral presentation at the event.

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Natasha

Paving the way in rare disease research

30 January 2023

The loss of her baby cousin to mitochondrial disease at only 3 months old inspired Natasha to dedicate her medical research to this condition that she and her family knew so little about.

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Katie on the Lily stand

Spreading the word on the Foundation’s work

26 January 2023

Alison Maguire (Head of Research and Finance) and Katie Waller (Science and Patient Engagement Officer) are delighted to be attending the British Paediatric Neurology Association’s 49th Annual Scientific Meeting, being held at The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh from the 25th-27th January 2023.

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Alison and Katie on the Lily stand

On the road with the research team

25 January 2023

It was a busy end to 2022 for Alison Maguire (Head of Research and Finance) and Katie Waller (Science and Patient Engagement Officer), who have been proudly representing The Lily Foundation at a range of recent events aimed at medical professionals, scientists and researchers.

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Celebrating 15 years of… Lily Research

15 December 2022

As we celebrate our 15th anniversary year, we can feel proud of what our charity has done to advance research into mitochondrial disease.

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The Lily Foundation launches Precision Diagnostics project

15 December 2022

The Lily Foundation is funding important new research to improve diagnostic rates for complex cases of mitochondrial disease, fulfilling an urgent need for patients who are unable to get a confirmed diagnosis via the NHS.

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2022 - The year Lily bounced back stronger!

15 December 2022

Our CEO, Liz Curtis, looks back on a remarkable year that saw The Lily Foundation bounce back stronger than ever after the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Celebrating 15 Years of…Lily Fundraising

22 November 2022

Each month throughout our anniversary year we'll be highlighting a different asset of our charity. We kick off this month with a focus on 15 years of Lily fundraising power!

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The Lily Foundation launches UK Mito Patient Registry

22 November 2022

The Lily Foundation is proud to announce the launch of a new online database that will give people with mitochondrial diseases a voice in research and care provision.

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Lily Young Adult Weekend 2022

26 October 2022

Young people with mitochondrial disease enjoyed an action packed trip to the Lake District when The Lily Foundation hosted its second annual Young Adult Weekend.

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Liz Curtis awarded MBE on 15th anniversary of The Lily Foundation

18 October 2022

The Lily Foundation's CEO, Liz Curtis kicked off our 15-year anniversary in style this week, with a trip to Windsor Castle to receive her MBE from Princess Anne.

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Liz Curtis on 15 years of The Lily Foundation

10 October 2022

This week is Baby Loss Awareness Week, and also marks the 15th Anniversary of The Lily Foundation. Our CEO Liz Curtis reflects on a journey that began with the most painful loss and became a vital force for change and hope.

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World Mitochondrial Disease Week round-up

28 September 2022

World Mitochondrial Disease Week went off with a bang as Lily supporters raised awareness across the country. Check out our round-up of the highlights!

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Chelsea Moran, Associate Director of Patient Partnerships at Astellas

A Patient-Centric Partnership

27 September 2022

We talk to Astellas' Chelsea Moran about the pharmaceutical firm's partnership with The Lily Foundation, and why the industry is turning its ear to mito patients.

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Lily teams up with Oxford University Hospitals to host mito study day

23 August 2022

The Lily Foundation has teamed up with Oxford University Hospitals to host a study day for medical professionals caring for people with mitochondrial diseases.

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Lily Research Funding Call opens September 19th

22 August 2022

The Lily Foundation's annual research call opens to applicants this September, allowing scientists studying treatments for mitochondrial diseases to apply for funding.

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Katie Waller, The Lily Foundation

Lily Foundation's Katie Waller elected to IMP board

22 August 2022

The Lily Foundation is very proud to announce the election of staff member Katie Waller to the board of International Mito Patients (IMP).

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Lily Family Weekend 2022

28 July 2022

Lily Family Weekend made its long-awaited return earlier this month, giving families affected by mitochondrial disease a precious chance to spend quality time together in a safe, supportive environment.

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Clinical trials: a clear sign of progress in the fight against mitochondrial disease

27 July 2022

The recent rise in the number of clinical trials of treatments for mitochondrial disease shows how far we've come in the last 15 years, writes our Head of Research, Alison Maguire

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World Mitochondrial Disease Week 18-24 Sept 2022

5 July 2022

Every September, hundreds of buildings around the world light up green for World Mitochondrial Disease Week. Why not get involved and ask a building in your area to take part?

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Lily Foundation Fight Night charity boxing event

Lily Fight Night takes a swing at mito with £28,000 raised

22 June 2022

The return of Lily Fight Night after a two-year absence always promised to be a big occasion, and we're delighted to report it did not disappoint!

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Prof Sir Doug Turnbull

Prof Sir Doug Turnbull becomes Patron of The Lily Foundation

21 June 2022

Professor Sir Doug Turnbull, former Director of the Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research (WCMR) and one of the world's foremost experts in mitochondrial disease, has joined The Lily Foundation as Patron.

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Carers Week 2022

2 June 2022

This Carers Week (6-12 June) we get an insight into the life of an unpaid carer from Nicolette Darch, who cares for her adult daughter Sian, who has mitochondrial disease.

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Peter Bagatti

Volunteers' Week 2022

1 June 2022

The rewards you get from volunteering make it worth every minute you spend helping out, writes one of Lily's longest-serving volunteers, Peter Bagatti.

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Lily awards £178,000 of new funding for mito research

24 May 2022

The Lily Foundation has increased its research funding with grants for two exciting new projects that could improve the lives of people with mitochondrial disease.

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Jim Moir (Vic Reeves)

Jim Moir among top comedians to auction artworks for Lily

18 May 2022

Jim Moir (Vic Reeves) is one of five top comedians whose artworks will be auctioned to raise money for charities including The Lily Foundation this month.

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Researchers working with The Lily Foundation contribute to study of how Covid affects mito patients

17 May 2022

Researchers working with The Lily Foundation have published the results of an international study into the risks of COVID-19 in people with Primary Mitochondrial Diseases (PMDs).

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International Nurses Day 2022

11 May 2022

To mark International Nurses Day (12th May) we hear from Chloe Poole, a Metabolic Clinical Nurse Specialist at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.

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Lily Foundation lorry

Lily lorries hit the road to raise awareness about mito

11 May 2022

Two bright pink lorries bearing the logo of The Lily Foundation will be taking to British roads this month to help raise awareness about mitochondrial disease.

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Living with mitochondrial disease and deafness

3 May 2022

Losing my hearing due to mitochondrial disease was frightening and lonely – until some amazing technology came to the rescue, writes Jojo Wells.

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Research Focus: Professor Antonella Spinazzola

22 April 2022

We talk to pioneering neurologist Prof Antonella Spinazzola about the inspiration behind her groundbreaking mito research, and her hopes for finding a cure.

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Lily Foundation represents patient interests at international GENOMIT meeting

21 April 2022

The Lily Foundation met with international mito organisations to advance patient interests and facilitate the collection of patient-reported data for research.

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Fitness coach to run 3 ultra-marathons in a month for client with mito

21 April 2022

A fitness coach whose client has mitochondrial disease is aiming to run three ultra marathons in a month to raise awareness about the condition.

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Josh Widdicombe gives £20,000 Tipping Point jackpot to The Lily Foundation

11 April 2022

Comedian Josh Widdicombe raised a cheer from the mito community after he won £20,000 on Tipping Point: Lucky Stars and gave it to The Lily Foundation.

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Lily staff join ENMC International Workshop on Leigh Syndrome

29 March 2022

Lily Foundation staff members Alison Maguire and Katie Waller took part in an ENMC International Workshop on Leigh Syndrome over the weekend (March 25-27th). ENMA (the European Neuromuscular Centre) is a worldwide organisation that coordinates workshops focused on rare neuromuscular diseases.

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Lily Foundation extends mitochondrial mental health service to adults

23 March 2022

The Lily Foundation has extended its mental health service to adults, enabling more people affected by mitochondrial disease to access the support they need.

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Release your inner fundraiser! The inspiring story of a Lily family

23 March 2022

After losing their son to mitochondrial disease, Simon and Lucy Pond dedicated themselves to supporting other mito families and fundraising to find a cure. Here they share their tips on how to make a difference.

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British Science Week: Why listening to patients is the key to good research

14 March 2022

A patient-first approach to research is the best hope of finding a cure for mitochondrial disease, writes our newly appointed Science and Patient Engagement Officer, Katie Waller.

Read more...


International Women's Day: Interview with Prof Gráinne Gorman

7 March 2022

Prof Gráinne Gorman is Director of the Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, and a member of The Lily Foundation Medical Board. To mark International Women's Day, we spoke to Gráinne about her role at WCMR, and the work she and her team is doing to raise awareness of mitochondrial disease and find curative therapies.

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Meet the new members of our Lily team

22 February 2022

To help us continue to meet our mission goals, we've added some talented new people to our team. They include some familiar faces, as well as some new friends to welcome into the family!

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Study co-funded by Lily uses gene-editing to modify mitochondrial genome in live mice

21 February 2022

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have shown that it is possible to modify the mitochondrial genome in live mice. Their findings could pave the way for new treatments for incurable mitochondrial disorders.

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Professor Ana Andreazza, MITO2i

The case for making mitochondrial health part of 'everyday medicine'

21 February 2022

A growing number of scientists believe it's time to stop viewing mitochondrial health as a niche field and make it part of everyday healthcare. Professor Ana Andreazza is one of those trying to get the message out.

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Lily joins BearHugs scheme to deliver joy to those who need it most

27 January 2022

The Lily Foundation is now a charity partner of BearHugs, a company that makes it easy to send joy where it's needed most.

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Research Focus: MIT-E Clinical Trial

27 January 2022

Clinical trials of a drug that could treat seizures in people with mitochondrial diseases are set to begin in the UK. We talked to Matthew Klein of PTC Therapeutics to find out more.

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A Christmas Message from The Lily Foundation

23 December 2021

Thanks to your incredible support, 2021 turned out to be the year The Lily Foundation bounced back stronger, better and busier than ever!

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Prof Joanna Poulton

Meet the Medical Board: Prof Joanna Poulton

23 December 2021

We're sharing some short Q&As with our Medical Board members, to give an insight into their roles and find out what its like to work at the leading edge of mitochondrial research. This month we meet Professor Joanna Poulton, ​​Honorary Consultant in Mitochondrial Genetics at Nuffield Dept of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford.

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'Magical Owl Tree' raises £4000 for mito families

22 December 2021

Our supporters are always coming up with new and creative ways to raise funds and awareness about mitochondrial disease. None more so than Michael and Maxine Heyburn, who have raised over £4000 by transforming an old ash tree into a beautiful owl sculpture.

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Lily Foundation Charity Ball

Lily Ball raises over £85,000 for young adults affected by mito

7 December 2021

The guest list may have been studded with soap stars, but it was young people fighting serious illness who the stole the show at The Lily Foundation's annual charity ball.

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Bendac Group lights up lives as Lily corporate partner

25 November 2021

We're delighted to share the fantastic news that Bendac Group has joined The Lily Foundation as a corporate partner.

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Why I made the leap into Lily fundraising

25 November 2021

I couldn't save my two daughters from mitochondrial disease, but now I'm doing what I can to help others, writes skydiving Lily fundraiser Sarah Moore.

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"I'm so grateful that Emma's part of my work every day."

26 October 2021

Christine Beal, co-founder and chair of My Mito Mission, on coping with loss, taking her daughter's legacy forward, and why mitochondrial research is worth shouting about.

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Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway will smooth approval process for rare disease medicines

23 September 2021

The Lily Foundation is actively representing the interests of mito patients in a major overhaul of regulations to speed up the process of how new medicines are approved and made available through the NHS.

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RUDY: The next step in patient-powered research

18 August 2021

The Lily Foundation is proud to be funding the Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases Study (RUDY), a groundbreaking mitochondrial research tool that puts patients in the driving seat.

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Getting results: The story of Lily Exome Sequencing

18 August 2021

How The Lily Foundation worked with the NHS to support families affected by mitochondrial disease. With Professor Rob Taylor and Dr Charulata Deshpande.

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Claire Tranter with her daughter Georgia

How Lily Research changed our lives

12 August 2021

When we lost our first child to mitochondrial disease we feared we'd never be able to have more, but thanks to The Lily Foundation we now have the family we always wanted, writes Claire Tranter.

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Lily-funded research contributes to study into cellular disorders

27 July 2021

Scientists working with The Lily Foundation have published a new study that could help advance the development of treatments for many serious conditions including neurodegenerative disorders.

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Research Focus: The Leigh Syndrome International Consortium

24 June 2021

Since the inception of the Leigh Syndrome International Consortium in 2018, we’ve received a number of questions about the organisations involved and the goal of the collaboration.  We hope these Frequently Asked Questions will provide better insight into who we are and what we’re working hard to accomplish.

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Harry Thorogood, 12, is diagnosed with Leigh syndrome, a form of mitochondrial disease

Happy as Harry

23 June 2021

12-year-old Harry Johnson has Leigh syndrome, a form of mitochondrial disease. We hear from his mum, Lucy Johnson on learning to live with the condition and what it's like to have a child diagnosed.

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Liz Curtis, CEO of The Lily Foundation

Liz Curtis awarded MBE for charity's work fighting mitochondrial disease

8 June 2021

Liz Curtis, Founder and CEO of The Lily Foundation, has been awarded an MBE in The Queen’s Birthday Honours list for her services to people with mitochondrial disease.

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Dr Alessandro Colasanti

Research Focus: Mito and Neuropsychiatric Disorders

25 May 2021

The Lily Foundation is co-funding research into mitochondrial disease and mood disorders that could change the way we treat mental health in mito patients. Dr Alessandro Colasanti, Senior Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Psychiatry at Brighton and Sussex Medical School and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, is one of the researchers leading the study.

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Dr Albert Lim, The Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research

Research Focus: TRANSFORM therapy

3 May 2021

Dr Albert Lim of The Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research tells us about a potentially life-changing new treatment for mito patients affected by epileptic seizures.

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Mito, lockdown and social isolation

23 March 2021

For people with mitochondrial disease, the Covid lockdown has added to a sense of isolation that's all too familiar, and emerging safely isn't simply a matter of getting a jab. We hear from three of those affected, plus Lily's resident psychologist.

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Rupinder Bains

International Women's Day: Q&A with Rupinder Bains

5 March 2021

This International Women's Day we talk to Rupinder Bains, a member of The Lily Foundation's Board of Directors, MD of the law firm Pinder Reaux & Associates, and the first ever Asian woman to serve on the Board of The Football Association (The FA).

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Mitochondrial Disease research, The Lily Foundation

Lily and partners fund £80k study into mito and neuropsychiatric diseases

25 February 2021

Lily is co-funding an £80,000 study into mitochondrial and neuropsychiatric diseases. The research aims to shed new light on the neurological impact of mitochondrial diseases, leading to improved information, mental health care and treatments for mito patients.

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Coronation Street actor Jane Danson joins The Lily Foundation as Celebrity Patron

Coronation Street actor Jane Danson joins The Lily Foundation as Celebrity Patron

5 January 2021

The Lily Foundation is delighted to announce that Coronation Street actor Jane Danson has joined the charity as its latest celebrity patron.

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A year of challenge, change and hope.

23 December 2020

An update on 2020 and a huge thank you from The Lily Foundation.

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Research Focus: Vestibular Dysfunction

8 December 2020

Lily-funded researchers at the Centre for Neuromuscular Disease in London have developed a framework to identify causes of imbalance in mito patients. Here they talk about the challenges of working in the Covid pandemic, and how their research will make a difference to the lives of people with mito.

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Times are tough, but we're still driving new research into mito

28 October 2020

In these uncertain times it's good to know that Lily is continuing to fund world-leading mito research. We're delighted to announce funding for three new projects.

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Make your online shopping count this Christmas!

26 October 2020

We've partnered with Amazon Smile, Give as you Live and EasyFundraising, so you can raise funds for mito research with every online purchase – at no extra cost to you!

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Hannah Chapman with her book Yellow Day and photo of her daughter Maisie who died of mitochondrial disease

Yellow Day - Mito mum's book about grief sheds light on loss

7 October 2020

After losing her daughter to mitochondrial disease, children's writer and illustrator Hannah Chapman made a book to help others cope with grief. Here she talks about the creative process behind Yellow Day, and how it first took shape years before her own experience of bereavement.

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Tirion Ray

Mito stories: Tirion

30 September 2020

Read the moving story of Tirion Ray, who died in 2018 after being diagnosed with mitochondrial disease, as told by her mother to The Bristol Post.

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Mito community pulls out the stops for World Mitochondrial Disease Week

Mito community pulls out the stops for World Mitochondrial Disease Week

24 September 2020

The word on the street was 'mito' as people around the UK marked World Mitochondrial Disease Week 2020 with green lighting, fundraisers and more.

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Oliver Battersby Coronation Street twins raise funds for The Lily Foundation

Corrie twins fundraise for The Lily Foundation

16 September 2020

The young twins who play Oliver Battersby, the boy diagnosed with mitochondrial disease in a heartbreaking Coronation Street storyline, have helped real life sufferers of the condition with a Corrie-themed fundraiser in support of The Lily Foundation.

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Anna and Steve Withers with their daughter Charlie, who died of mitochondrial disease aged 2

Mito stories: Charlie

4 September 2020

Charlie Withers tragically died aged 2, after being diagnosed with mito at 18 months. Read her story as told to The Sun by her mother, Anna.

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Coronation Street Mitochondrial Disease

Mito on Coronation Street

3 September 2020

The Coronation Street storyline about Oliver Battersby, a boy with mitochondrial disease, is raising awareness about mito in a big way. We're aiming to maximise this exposure and remind people that the heartbreak unfolding on screen is being endured by hundreds of real families in the UK every day.

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Mito stories: Rachael and Joseph

30 August 2020

Joanna Wells is mum to Rachael and Joseph, both diagnosed with mitochondrial disease. Read her story as told to Metro newspaper.

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Ripples make waves! 9 reasons to keep raising awareness about mito

5 August 2020

With World Mitochondrial Disease Week (Sept 13-19) just around the corner, there's never been a better time to make a noise about mito – and it's not all about generating funds. Here are nine great reasons to raise awareness. We hope they help inspire you and others to get involved!

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Lily granted lottery funds for Covid support

22 July 2020

The Lily Foundation has been granted National Lottery funding to help support people with mito through the Covid-19 crisis.

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Emerging from lockdown – guidance for shielding patients and families

17 July 2020

After months of lockdown, transitioning to the 'new normal' is not easy. We've provided some guidance to help those who have been shielding manage the change.

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Liz Curtis, CEO of The Lily Foundation

Left in lockdown

6 July 2020

For parents of children like Coronation Street's Oliver Battersby, the end of lockdown is a long way off, writes the Lily Foundation's Liz Curtis

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Happy birthday NHS!

3 July 2020

This month marks 72 years since the NHS was established. To mark the occasion, we're focusing on some of the ways The Lily Foundation works with the NHS to support people with mitochondrial diseases. It's a partnership we're immensely proud of, and one that brings real, lasting benefit to patients and their families.

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Theo is 3 and has mitochondrial disease but he's fundraising on his trike

Theo, 3, battles mito with pedal power in Lily fundraising challenge

24 June 2020

Theo Amani-Gibbs has mitochondrial disease, but has taken on a 20-mile walking / pedalling challenge for My Mito Miles, the virtual fundraising event organised by The Lily Foundation.

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6 tips for running in hot weather

22 June 2020

With temperatures set to soar, here are 6 tips to help runners beat the heat

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Lily Foundation research into mitochondrial disease

Charities put patients first with top 10 priorities for mito research

18 June 2020

Charities including The Lily Foundation have worked together with patients, carers and healthcare professionals to determine a 'top 10' list of the most important areas of mitochondrial research.

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For people with mito, lockdown hasn't ended

1 June 2020

Lockdown restrictions might be easing, but people with mito are more vulnerable than ever in this crisis. Here's how you can help.

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Mito awareness soars as Coronation Street storyline unfolds

21 May 2020

Awareness about mitochondrial disease has soared since Coronation Street began its heartbreaking storyline involving a child who develops the condition. The Lily Foundation saw visits to its website rocket by over 400% in May, when mitochondrial disease was first mentioned on the ITV soap, which is watched by millions.

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10 simple acts of self-kindness for carers

20 May 2020

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week – a good time to recognise what a challenging time this is for people affected by mitochondrial diseases. These 10 simple acts of self-kindness will help get you through.

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Esther Cowie has Leigh syndrome, a type of mitochondrial disease

"I win!" 3-year-old Esther defies Leigh syndrome to take on 2.6 Challenge

18 May 2020

Three-year-old Esther Cowie, who has Leigh syndrome, raised over £3,000 by walking 26 laps of her garden after learning to walk independently for the first time just weeks earlier.

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Coronation Street Mitochondrial Disease

Coronation Street's Jane Danson raises awareness about mito on This Morning

11 May 2020

Coronation Street star Jane Danson touched the hearts of hundreds of UK families affected by mitochondrial diseases when she highlighted their cause on This Morning.

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Coronation Street to make millions of viewers mito aware

Coronation Street to make millions of viewers mito aware

7 May 2020

Mitochondrial disease will be in the national spotlight this summer as Coronation Street, one of the UK's most watched TV soap operas, features a storyline about a child with the condition. The storyline will run across multiple episodes of the popular ITV soap throughout the summer, in what is being seen as a momentous step in raising awareness about mitochondrial diseases and the impact they have on families.

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Lily Foundation Mental Health Service

Lily launches mental health service for young mito patients

4 May 2020

The Lily Foundation has launched a mental health service to support young people who are struggling with the psychological impact of living with a mitochondrial disease.

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Albert Lim, Leigh syndrome research

Research Focus: Leigh syndrome

12 March 2020

The Lily Foundation has teamed up with other mito charities around the globe to co-fund a promising new study into Leigh syndrome at the Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research.

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IMP updates list of medicines to be used with caution for mito patients

IMP updates list of medicines to be used with caution for mito patients

12 March 2020

An updated list of medicines to be used with caution by patients with primary mitochondrial diseases has recently been published by International Mito Patients.

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"I get so much out of volunteering for Lily"

3 March 2020

Katie Curtis, Lily's auntie, has been supporting The Lily Foundation for 13 years. Here she talks about why she's still as motivated as ever, and how it feels to take a punch on the nose for a good cause.

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Isabelle Gregory, 8, who has mitochondrial disease, and her brother Issac, 10, who helps care for her

Living with mitochondrial disease

12 February 2020

When a child has severe disabilities, the support provided by an attentive sibling not only helps take the strain off busy parents, it can also work developmental wonders. We talked to Jemma Gregory about the bond between her children Isabelle, 8, who has a mitochondrial disorder, and Isaac, 10, who is devoted to her care.

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Mitochondrial Disease research lab

Charities grant £137,000 for Leigh syndrome research

12 February 2020

Lily has collaborated with international mitochondrial disease charities to award grants totalling £137,000 GBP to researchers working to improve the lives of people with Leigh syndrome.

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The Lily Foundation Comedy Night at The Comedy Store

A good giggle for a great cause

12 February 2020

Another fantastic evening at The Comedy Store raised funds, awareness, and of course a whole lot of laughs! Check out our slideshow of pictures from the night.

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Ben Carter is fundraising for The Lily Foundation

Ben's Binned the Gym!

16 January 2020

Lily Chairman, Ben Carter is running a half marathon for Lily – and following it up by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

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Lily Foundation funds research into mitochondrial disease

Lily supports MDUK in funding trials of potential mito drug

15 January 2020

The Lily Foundation is helping to fund a pilot study to test potential treatments for mitochondrial myopathy, the most common form of mitochondrial disease.

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Jason Shaw

Buddy Holly star thanks Lily for helping delay hearing loss

14 January 2020

For professional musician Jason Shaw, landing the starring role in a Buddy Holly tribute show was a dream job. When mitochondrial disease threatened to derail it, he turned to The Lily Foundation for help.

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Couch to 5k

Couch to 5k running tips

8 January 2020

Personal training Jenny Dixon shares her couch-to-5k running tips for beginner runners.

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Yasmin Tang, Lily Foundation researcher

Research Focus: Yasmin Tang

7 December 2019

Researcher Yasmin Tang talks about her Lily-funded investigation into the causes of mitochondrial disease.

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Lily Foundation Young Adult Weekend, Calvert Trust, Lake District

Lily Young Adult Weekend

5 December 2019

Young adults with mitochondrial disease enjoyed a 'simply brilliant' weekend in the Lake District when the Lily Foundation held its first ever Young Adult Weekend.

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Dean Curtis of The Lily Foundation

Charity and business - a mutually beneficial partnership

4 December 2019

Dean Curtis, the newest member of our Board of Directors, on why there's never been a better time for businesses and charities to work together.

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Physiotherapy

NHS publishes physiotherapy guidance for mito patients

13 November 2019

Physiotherapists can now access guidance on how to treat people with mitochondrial diseases, thanks to an NHS-led project involving The Lily Foundation.

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Hannah Chapman with her baby daughter Maisie who died from mitochondrial disease at six-months old

Keeping the light burning: A mother's personal journey through baby loss

13 November 2019

Last November, Hannah Chapman and her partner Ben Keverne lost their six-month-old daughter Maisie to mitochondrial disease. In the wake of Baby Loss Awareness Week, we asked her to share her thoughts and feelings as she prepares for the first anniversary of Maisie's death.

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Dr Michal Minczuk Lily Foundation Mitochondrial Research Gene Therapy

Research Focus: Mitochondrial Gene Therapy

11 November 2019

Mitochondrial gene editing is a promising therapeutic technology in the field of mitochondrial disease.

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Lily receives Lottery grant for Patient Days

22 October 2019

The Lily Foundation has received a National Lottery grant to help expand its Patient Engagement Day (PED) programme for people affected by mitochondrial disease.

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Tim Vine

Tim Vine to host 2020 Lily Foundation Ball

22 October 2019

The Lily Foundation is proud and delighted to announce one of the UK's top comedians, Tim Vine as host of our 2020 Lily Ball.

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Mitochondrial Disease Patient Engagement Day

Adults with mito get connected at Patient Engagement Day

21 October 2019

Adults with mito were given support, information and chance to connect at a Patient Engagement Day co-hosted by The Lily Foundation.

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microscope medical research

Research Focus: Enzyme Replacement Therapy

16 October 2019

In the first of a new series of quick guides to Lily research projects, we look at an innovative treatment for MNGIE syndrome that's making waves internationally.

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Euromit 2020

Lily to bring patient voice to world's biggest mito conference

4 October 2019

The Lily Foundation is proud to announce its partnership with Euromit 2020, the world's largest ever international conference on mitochondrial disease, which will be held in Newcastle, UK next summer.

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Families raise awareness during global mitochondrial disease awareness week

'Best ever' Awareness Week puts mito in the spotlight

30 September 2019

The Lily Foundation would like to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who participated in Global Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week 2019. The event was a resounding success, raising awareness about mito around the world.

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Stuart Connor dedicates British shearing record to daughter Grace

23 September 2019

Oxfordshire farmer Stuart Connor has set a new British shearing record, dedicating his achievement to his three-year-old daughter Grace, who died from mitochondrial disease last year.

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UK landmarks light up green to raise awareness about mito

13 September 2019

Battersea Power Station, Mersey Gateway Bridge, Leeds Castle and Blackpool Tower are among major UK landmarks lighting up green this week to raise awareness about mitochondrial disease.

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Leigh Syndrome International Consortium research

Lily Foundation unites with global charities to give hope to Leigh syndrome patients

12 September 2019

The Lily Foundation is proud to be member of the Leigh Syndrome International Consortium, a newly formed group of international rare disease charities committed to improving clinical care for Leigh syndrome patients around the world.

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Lily Foundation Family Weekend, mitochondrial disease charity

Mito families unite for 6th annual Lily Family Weekend

17 July 2019

60 families affected by mitochondrial disease came together at Chesford Grange to share experiences and get advice from leading specialists in the field of mitochondrial medicine.

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Alan Davies with Sally Philips, Ranj Singh and host Ben Shephard on Tipping Point: Lucky Stars

Jackpot! Amazing Alan wins big for The Lily Foundation

8 July 2019

TV star Alan Davies has won £20,000 for The Lily Foundation after scooping the jackpot on Tipping Point: Lucky Stars.

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The Lily Foundation charity family affected by  mitochondrial disease

Carers Week, 10-16 June

5 June 2019

My daughter has mitochondrial disease and being her full-time carer is heartbreaking – sometimes I just want to be her mum, writes Angela Jakubowski

Read more...


Staff from the Lily Foundation and Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research

Lily announces partnership with Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research

28 May 2019

The Lily Foundation and the Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research (WCMR) have announced a strategic partnership to improve the lives of people affected by mitochondrial disease.

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The Lily Foundation fundraising walk mitochondrial disease

Walking for Sebby

17 May 2019

After losing her young son to mitochondrial disease, walking hundreds of miles in his memory helped Melissa Streete cope with grief and raise awareness about the condition that took his life.

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Dr Cecilia Jimenez-Moreno, Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research

PREFER: Patient preferences in new drug research

14 May 2019

Mitochondrial patients and caregivers have been integral in helping guide the development of potential treatments for mitochondrial disease as part of the first phase of the PREFER study.

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Dr Alejandro Dorenbaum of Reneo Pharmaceuticals

Q&A with Dr Alex Dorenbaum

30 April 2019

As trials begin for a new medicine to treat mitochondrial myopathy, we talk to the Chief Medical Officer of Reneo Pharmaceuticals about his hopes for the drug and why his company is working with The Lily Foundation.

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Cheque this out! Jamie stuns Lily Ball with surprise £100,000 donation

Cheque this out! Jamie stuns Lily Ball with surprise £100,000 donation

18 April 2019

Hearts melted at the Lily Chocolate Charity Ball when Jamie Theakston presented a £100,000 cheque to help support people affected by mitochondrial disease.

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Prof Sir Doug Turnbull joins likes of Newton and Einstein as Fellow of the Royal Society

17 April 2019

Prof Sir Doug Turnbull, Director of the Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research and a long-serving member of The Lily Foundation Medical Board, has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society.

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Lily Foundation staff Dr Lyndsey Butterworth and Liz Curtis at a mitochondrial disease Patient Information Day

Newcastle Patient Information Day 2019

12 April 2019

The Lily team was in Newcastle last weekend for a Patient Information Day hosted by the Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research.

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Teamwork

Empowering patients in the fight against mito

10 April 2019

As healthcare providers increasingly turn to patients and their families for expert input, we look at The Lily Foundation's role in promoting patient advocacy.

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Mitochondrial Disease research lab DNA samples

Lily announces a further £250,000 of funding for new research into mitochondrial disease

20 March 2019

The Lily Foundation has awarded research grants totalling £250,000 to three new scientific studies that aim to improve the lives of people with mitochondrial disease.

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Shane Bell, PHD researcher at the Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Newcastle University

Brain Awareness Week & British Science Week 2019

12 March 2019

This week is Brain Awareness Week and British Science Week. We talked to Shane Bell, a PhD student at the Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research at Newcastle University, about his research that aims to improve mitochondrial function in brain cells.

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Disabled-friendly holiday advice from The Lily Foundation

The sky's the limit: Taking the fear factor out of disabled-friendly travel

11 March 2019

Planning a disabled-friendly holiday can feel nerve-wracking, but with the right know-how the sky's the limit, writes Karen Cianfini.

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Lucy Watts MBE

International Women's Day

8 March 2019

I went from planning the end of my life to being a voice for other disabled and disadvantaged people. Here's what International Women's Day means to me. By Lucy Watts MBE

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The Lily Foundation, fighting mitochondrial disease

Let's hear it for amazing mito mums this Mother's Day

4 March 2019

Do you know an amazing mother to a child with mitochondrial disease? Share her story this Mother's Day and help raise awareness.

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Vitality London 10k

Will you run the Vitality London 10k for Lily?

4 March 2019

Are you a Lily Foundation supporter with a serious case of the running bug? If so you could be just the person we're looking for.

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Ride London charity fundraising The Lily Foundation

Get on your bike for Lily

1 March 2019

Have you got pedal power? Sign up to Prudential Ride London 2019 as a Lily supporter and we'll back you all the way.

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The long road to diagnosis

27 February 2019

Harry Cozens has been living with MERRF syndrome all his life, but it took nearly 20 years for his illness to be correctly diagnosed. We talked to Harry and his mother, Mandy Norris, about an ordeal all too common for adults with a mitochondrial disease.

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Sophie Carr, who has mitochondrial disease, and husband Jamie on their wedding day

A Lily love story

11 February 2019

Let the Valentine's Day vibes wash over you with this moving video of Sophie and Jamie's wedding.

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5 exercises to make you a stronger runner

5 exercises to make you a stronger runner

6 February 2019

Running coach Jenny Dixon gives her top 5 exercises to make you a stronger, less injury prone runner.

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Enzyme replacement therapy for MNGIE approved for clinical trials in UK

Enzyme replacement therapy for MNGIE patients approved for clinical trials in UK

4 February 2019

A Lily-funded project to develop a therapy for MNGIE syndrome has been approved for clinical trials in the UK, and could become the first effective treatment for this form of mitochondrial disease.

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The Lily Foundation attends the 2019 British Paediatric Neurology Association conference in Liverpool

The Lily Foundation attends 45th Annual BPNA Conference

1 February 2019

The Lily Foundation was in Liverpool last week to attend the 45th British Paediatric Neurology Association Annual Conference 2019.

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Skydiving with The Lily Foundation

Take a leap for Lily

29 January 2019

Looking for a thrilling way to raise money for Lily? Try jumping out of a plane at 2000 feet, writes Morgan Gillam.

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Young carer Chris Haywood and his brother Tim, who has mitochondrial disease.

My son the young carer

25 January 2019

Why I'm so proud of my son, a young carer who has made huge sacrifices for his brother who has mitochondrial disease.

Read more...


Tips to improve your running posture

How to improve your running posture

18 January 2019

Good posture is key to an efficient, comfortable running style. Use these expert tips and video from personal trainer Jenny Dixon to transform your training today.

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Warm-up act

10 January 2019

Personal trainer Jenny Dixon shares her warm-up routine for beginner runners, with some easy dynamic stretches to help keep you limber in cold weather.

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How you can help us raise £100,000

5 December 2018

Can you help us smash our £100,000 fundraising target at the 2019 Lily Ball? Check out our great value partnership opportunities and help make a difference for families affected by mito.

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Lily Foundation mitochondrial disease research

Lily teams up with NHS specialists in Oxford to share clinical expertise on child mito cases

5 December 2018

Lily teams up with NHS specialists in Oxford to share clinical expertise on child mito cases

Read more...


Lily Foundation patient information day for adults with mitochondrial disease

Lily Foundation co-hosts Patient Information Days for adults affected by mito

3 December 2018

The Lily Foundation is reaching out to adults affected by mito with co-hosted Patient Information Days

Read more...


Flight Club Darts, The Lily Foundation Charity Event

Take aim at mito with a Lily darts night at Flight Club

26 November 2018

Flight Club is a brand new Lily event that takes the competitive fun of pub darts to a whole other level. Bring a team of friends along and let's take aim at mito!

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Alan Davies Lily Comedy Night Charity Event

Lily Comedy Night tickets go on sale on Dec 3rd!

23 November 2018

Tickets are now available for Lily Comedy Night 2019, with Alan Davies and Romesh Ranganathan among a host of top acts scheduled to perform on the night.

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5 easy ways to support Lily this festive season

21 November 2018

Give families affected by mito the gift of hope this Christmas with these simple fundraising tips.

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Stuart Connor with his daughter Grace, who  tragically died from mitochondrial disease at the age of 3

The hardest journey

13 November 2018

Oxfordshire wool producer Stuart Connor on how competitive shearing helped him cope with the tragedy of losing his daughter to mitochondrial disease.

Read more...


Lily backs initiative to improve information on potential risks of mito drugs

5 November 2018

Members of The Lily Foundation Medical Board were among experts from across the mitochondrial field who attended a conference addressing the issue of potentially harmful drugs used by mitochondrial patients.

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Mitochondrial Disease Research MNGIE The Lily Foundation

Outsmarting a syndrome

16 October 2018

How do you smuggle health-giving enzymes past the body's natural immune system? A Lily-funded project to develop a therapy for MNGIE syndrome is tackling that problem, and looks set to expand scientific understanding of mitochondrial disease in the process. We hear from Dr Bridget Bax, the project's principal investigator at St George's University in London, and postdoctoral research assistant Michelle Levene.

Read more...


Running The London Marathon for The Lily Foundation, fighting mitochondrial disease

5 Great Reasons To Run The London Marathon For Lily

9 October 2018

Already booked your place in the 2019 London Marathon? From dedicated cheering squads to a free massage, here are 5 great reasons to run for The Lily Foundation and help fight mitochondrial disease.

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Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease

Members of Lily Medical Board contribute to new research into POLG disease

24 September 2018

Three members of The Lily Foundation Medical Board were part of a collaborative team who recently published a study investigating the clinical features of POLG disease in children.

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Mitochondrial Disease The Lily Foundation Charity Fundraising

771 Miles in 7 days for Charlie

13 September 2018

Charlie Withers was just 2-years-old when she lost her battle with mito. To mark Mito Awareness Week, her uncle Mike is cycling 771 miles - one for every day of Charlie's life. Charlie's dad Steve tells the story.

Read more...


Global's Make Some Noise - Freddie's Story

7 September 2018

Our Make Some Noise nationwide radio campaign kicks off with the moving story of Freddie Ormrod, who was diagnosed with mito at 8 months old.

Read more...


Lily Foundation fundraiser Neil Harper with his friend James, 8, who has mitochondrial disease

Action hero Neil targets the triple for brave James, 9

24 July 2018

Lily fundraiser Neil Harper has a London Classics medal in his sights as he takes on the RideLondon-Surrey 100 for his friend James, who has mitochondrial disease.

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Meet the Researcher

12 July 2018

Eszter Dombi is part of a new generation of scientists leading the way in mitochondrial research. Here she talks about her Lily-funded research into new treatments at John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.

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Helping from the heart

6 July 2018

NHS research nurse Colwynn Phillips talks about her Lily-funded work with patients at the Rare Mitochondrial Disorders Service in Oxford.

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Lily and the NHS: A partnership worth celebrating

29 June 2018

As the National Health Service turns 70, we look at five ways The Lily Foundation works with the NHS to support people affected by mitochondrial disease.

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The Lancet publishes scientific review by Lily Medical Board member Prof Shamima Rahman

28 June 2018

Leading medical journal The Lancet has published a scientific review written by Professor Shamima Rahman, a member of the Lily Foundation Medical Board. Here we offer a short summary of her paper.

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The Lily Foundation launches new research into nucleoside therapy

24 June 2018

The Lily Foundation has announced funding for important new research into nucleoside therapy as a treatment for mitochondrial depletion syndromes.

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Ben Carter appointed new Chair of The Lily Foundation

30 May 2018

Ben Carter, UK Marketing Director of Just Eat, appointed Chair of The Lily Foundation as Jonathan Pearce steps down

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Mito conference news

24 May 2018

Find out what's happening in mitochondrial research as we report back from two scientific conferences recently attended by The Lily Foundation.

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Get ready to Make Some Noise!

18 May 2018

The Lily Foundation is preparing to turn up the volume after being selected as a 2018 Make Some Noise charity.

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Unlocking NR

18 May 2018

Could Nicotinamide Riboside be a potential treatment for mitochondrial disease? Dr Alex Clout talks about his Lily-funded research.

Read more...


What a belter! Lily Fight Night 2018 raises a record £61k

27 April 2018

Amateur boxers deal a heavyweight blow to mitochondrial disease as Lily Fight Night 2018 raises a record £61,000

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Take a hike! 5 great reasons to go for a walk

26 April 2018

May is National Walking Month! Get off on the right foot with our 5 great reasons to go for a stroll.

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Team Lily smashes London Marathon as £38,000 raised to fight mitochondrial disease

24 April 2018

There were sore feet, aching limbs and huge smiles all round after Team Lily put in a heroic performance at the London Marathon.

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The Lily Foundation announces £234k funding for new research into mitochondrial disease treatments

20 April 2018

The Lily Foundation is proud to announce a £234,000 funding initiative supporting three new studies into treatments for mitochondrial disease.

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A marathon effort in the fight against mito

13 April 2018

As Team Lily limbers up for the 2018 London Marathon, Kat Kitto recalls how she ran the biggest race of her life for her daughter Poppy, who has mitochondrial disease.

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Peter Kay charity screenings raise over £34,000 to fight mitochondrial disease

10 April 2018

Peter Kay’s charity screenings of Car Share have raised more than £34k to help fight mitochondrial disease.

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Highlights from the 2018 Lily Butterfly Ball

3 April 2018

Catch up on highlights and photos from the 2018 Lily Butterfly Ball

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Peter Kay to donate profits from Car Share screenings to The Lily Foundation

29 March 2018

Peter Kay has announced he will donate all profits from special screenings of Car Share to The Lily Foundation.

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Lily researchers contribute to international genetics paper

26 March 2018

Lily Foundation research staff are again part of an international team whose work has been published in a leading science journal.

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A mountain to climb

23 March 2018

Gareth Edwards had tackled Mount Kilimanjaro and had his sights set on Everest when mitochondrial disease left him struggling to climb the stairs.

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Lily Comedy Night puts the fun into fundraising

2 March 2018

Laughter really was the best medicine when the Lily Comedy Night came to London's Comedy Store.

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Marathon man

23 February 2018

We catch up with Dave Merritt as he prepares to run his 11th London Marathon for The Lily Foundation, the charity set up in his daughter's name.

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Living with Leigh syndrome

19 February 2018

Meet Emily, the brave teenager who won't be defined by her mitochondrial disease.

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10 reasons why Lily loves you this Valentines Day

12 February 2018

This Valentine's Day we're telling all our wonderful supporters how much we love them. And that includes you! Read on to find out why you make our heart go pop.

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First patient licence granted for mitochondrial donation

1 February 2018

Patient license granted to Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research means UK is first country to legally offer pioneering IVF procedure.

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10 ways to boost your fundraising

1 February 2018

To help you make the most out of your fundraising efforts we've put together 10 tips to help boost your donations and raise awareness about our cause.

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A love beyond words

19 January 2018

Twins Lauren and Alex Cianfini share a unique bond that allows them to communicate without words. It's a gift that has proved invaluable in helping the family care for Alex, who has mitochondrial disease and is unable to speak.

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Lily Fundraising Manager

17 January 2018

Are you innovative and passionate about making a real difference to people’s lives? Do you have the drive and enthusiasm to create new approaches to generate income? Then you are the person we are looking for to be our new Fundraising Manager.

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Wanted: A prize that money can't buy

16 January 2018

Can you donate an auction prize to the 2018 Lily Ball and help fund research into mitochondrial disease?

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10 running tips for beginners

9 January 2018

January is a popular time to get into the running habit, and with good reason. If you want to burn off some calories after weeks of festive indulgence, lacing up a new pair of trainers and hitting the trail is a good way to do it

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Bin the gym and get MITO-VATED

2 January 2018

Want to get fit for 2018? Instead of wasting money on an expensive gym membership, why not sign up to a Lily challenge and get fit fighting mito?

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The DNA detective

27 December 2017

An interview with Dr Ines Barbosa, research associate on the Lily Exome Project.

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Start 2018 with an Ultra Challenge!

27 December 2017

Sign up with a friend to a Lily Ultra Challenge event by February 11th and get a 2-for-1 discount on your registration fees!

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Happy Christmas from The Lily Foundation

22 December 2017

The Lily Foundation would like to say a huge thank you to all our friends, families and supporters.

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Lily researchers contribute to American Medical Association paper

18 December 2017

Two Lily Foundation researchers have had their work published in a leading medical journal for the second time in two months.

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UK government approves £1.6 million study into new mitochondrial disease treatment

13 December 2017

A landmark study into the benefits of using a cholesterol-lowering drug to treat patients with mitochondrial disease is set to begin clinical trials in the UK.

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Brave teen Timothy has the X-Factor

4 December 2017

A teenage boy who suffers from mitochondrial disease enjoyed a day to remember after The Lily Foundation arranged for his family to meet stars from X-Factor.

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Lily researchers make their mark

23 November 2017

Three young Lily-funded researchers have contributed to an article published in a respected academic journal. Lily research associates Ruth Glasgow, Kyle Thompson and Ines Barbosa were part of an international team whose findings were published in Neurogenetics.

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Lucky enough to get a marathon place?

3 October 2017

Were you lucky enough to get a ballot place for the Virgin Money London Marathon 2018? We’d love you to run in support of The Lily Foundation! Here are 5 great reasons why you should........

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Lily Golf Day raises £12,500

3 October 2017

Who needs the British Masters when we have our fabulous Lily Golf Day? This year's event, proved a big hit as usual, helped by blue skies and sunshine at the beautiful Croham Hurst Golf Club in Surrey.

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Racing to beat mito

3 October 2017

Congratulations to our daring duo Jon Milne and Sailor Swift, who have made a great start to their circumnavigation of the globe in aid of Lily Foundation. Jon and his teddy bear sidekick, who are sailing in the Clipper Round The World yacht race to raise awareness about mitochondrial disease, have already raised over £1000 on the first leg of their voyage.

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Lily Research News

3 October 2017

Supporting medical research into mitochondrial disease is a key part of our work at The Lily Foundation. It's consistent with our long term goal of finding a cure for mito, and also brings life-changing benefits to people who are living with the disease today. Starting this month, we're going to be bringing you more news about the research studies we fund, and introducing you to some of the doctors and scientists involved. We kick off here with a look at a promising study underway at University College London.

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Mito Awareness Week a toe-tal success!

3 October 2017

The Lily 'Bare Your Sole' campaign for Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week was a big success, raising awareness in homes, schools, hospitals and businesses across the country.

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Blood test could help simplify diagnosis of Mitochondrial Disease

1 September 2017

A recent study has reported that levels of FGF-21 in blood could prove useful in the diagnosis of Mitochondrial Disease, leading to an improved diagnostic pathway that reduces the need for muscle biopsy

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Charlie Gard

25 July 2017

Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris Gard, Connie Yates and of course their son Charlie today, as they have been for the last 8 months.

The past months have been a painful reminder for many families who have had to face similar or the same terrible sadness for their children and also a stark reminder for those who may have to face such sadness in the future. These are heart-breaking situations that no parent or child should ever ever have to face.

Mitochondrial Disease is a truly horrible disease for which there is currently no cure.
Yesterday was the culmination of events which highlighted that more research is critically needed and that we must continue to fight to make sure that we do find a cure for Mitochondrial Disease.

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Highlights of Euromit 2017

17 July 2017

We are excited to share some recent updates on the diagnosis and potential treatments of Mitochondrial Disease which were discussed at the Patient Meeting of Euromit 2017 in Cologne, Germany.

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Epilepsy & Mitochondrial Disease

31 May 2017

Is there a link between Mitochondrial Disease and epilepsy?

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Neuromuscular Translation Research Conference 2017

4 May 2017

Exciting updates on potential treatments to help in the fight against Mitochondrial Disease from the 10th Neuromuscular Translational Conference in London.

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Dystonia Awareness Week

4 May 2017

Interesting research of movement disorders in Mitochondrial Disease.

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