The World Mitochondria Society Partners with The Liam Foundation
It is a great pleasure to announce that the World Mitochondria Society is partnering with the Liam Foundation for the 15th World Congress on Targeting Mitochondria 2024 (October 29-31, Berlin).
Liam’s Story and The Foundation's Beginnings
Liam is a ten-year-old child with mitochondrial disease caused by mutations in the POLG gene.
In April 2019, Liam started to have some seizures and was brought to the hospital. He stayed there for about 5 weeks, having seizures almost 24 hours a day until he got the right mix of medication. When he went back home, he had lost all ability to communicate. Shortly after, in June 2019, he started to have a few more seizures and was readmitted in the hospital. That’s when genetic test results came in and the POLG diagnosis was made.
Their Mission
The Liam Foundation’s mission is to discover new treatments and ultimately a cure that can save Liam’s life and the lives of other children affected by this disease. Currently, the foundation is supporting a medical trial at the Montreal Children’s Hospital involving Liam and thirty other children worldwide. The goal is to enhance mitochondrial levels within their cells, potentially improving their overall functioning.
The Liam Foundation has a significant goal: to establish a specialized mitochondrial disease research center at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. This center would be the first of its kind in Canada and would operate in partnership with the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Finally, The Liam Foundation aims to raise awareness about mitochondrial disease, for children like Liam.
New Treatment Shows Promise for POLG-Related Mitochondrial Disorders
The non-profit organization recently supported a clinical trial conducted by McGill University for a promising treatment for a severe and deadly disease caused by mutations in the POLG gene. Promising results were achieved.
Read more about these findings.
