Background:

Following the sudden presentation and diagnosis of Rose Lingard with mitochondrial disease, her family and friends recognised a need for an organisation to coordinate resources in Australia towards finding a cure, supporting affected families and redressing a lack of knowledge in the medical profession which was contributing to frequent misdiagnoses and improper treatment.

The AMDF was set up in 2009 as a charitable foundation with ATO tax deductible status. It has achieved the following milestones:

• The Australian Mitochondrial Disease Foundation Ltd registered, Board elected, Team members appointed and website for members launched - February 2009.
• First Public Mito Information Day, Kolling Institute, Sydney – Feb 2009
• Mito Community & Medical Helpline commenced – May 2009
• ‘Stay in Bed Day’ fund raising event launched – June 2009
• Second Mito Information Day, Sydney – Aug 2009
• First AMDF Research Grants awarded – Jan 2010
• AMDF extends nationally with 3rd & 4th Mito Public Information Days, Brisbane & Melbourne – Apr/May 2010
• WA Branch launches in Perth – May 2010
• Mito Seminar & Exhibition for doctors at NSW General Practitioner Conference & Exhibition (GPCE), Sydney – May 2010
• Vic Branch commences in Melbourne – June 2010
• ‘Stay in Bed Day’ becomes a successful annual event – Aug 2010
• Mito Information Day in Perth – October 2010