Less than 30 days to go - setting out to find a cure

Time for some background information about why I’m seeking to raise funds for the Lily Foundation.

Firstly, an explanation about mitochondrial disease:

Mitochondrial disease, or ‘mito’, is a rare genetic disorder that affects people in many different ways. It can affect any organ, at any age, but often occurs in babies and young children. There is currently no cure, but the Lily Foundation is working hard to change that, and they are the largest charitable funder of mitochondrial research in Europe.

Now the wider picture:

Mitochondrial dysfunction has also been identified as a key factor in a number of common diseases including dementia, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and cancer. The research being funded therefore, not only holds promise for individuals with mitochondrial disorders, but has the potential to benefit millions of others too. That’s why, despite being a little-known disease, mitochondrial disease could be the key to some of the most important medical breakthroughs of our time.

Now the personal connection:

Having found out about the Lily Foundation (at my local chip shop!!) and having made contact with a wonderful lady called, Sarah, who lives locally to me, I found out more about the background of the charity over a cup of coffee. The Lily Foundation was founded in 2007 by Liz Curtis in memory of her daughter Lily, who died from mitochondrial disease at 8 months old (https://ow.ly/H4uS50VJKQt)

Sarah then related her own story and it hit me like a ton of bricks as she has lost both her very young daughters to this disease and one of them was called Kimberley. The same name as my very own daughter!

My daughter Kimberley and my grand daughter, Melody

I realise now how blessed I am at not having to go through the distress of finding out about mitochondrial disease and the trauma it can bring to families. I was so touched by Sarah’s story that to do nothing would have been heartless and the more I looked into the Lily Foundation, the more I wanted to do something.

https://www.thelilyfoundation.org.uk

Last year I was able to raise a few hundred pounds for them by cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats but, if I’m honest, I was disappointed how little it felt. That is why I have come to back to them for this year’s event as I want to let go of that feeling of disappointment.

Last year at the end of Lands End to John O’Groats bike ride.

If you want to help me make that difference, please go to this funding link:

https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/6034/usa-west-coast-charity-bicycle-ride/