About Us

The Foundation for a Cure for Mitochondrial Disease, Inc. was founded by Bill and Sandy Cunningham in August of 2000 after their daughter Kelly was diagnosed with a Mitochondrial Disease. Since that time, Kelly’s fight with the disease has ended; she passed away in 2005. Not wanting other parents to experience the same heartache, Bill and Sandy remain committed to finding a cure for Mitochondrial Disease through the work of MitoCure. MitoCure exists to educate communities about Mitochondrial Disease and to generate financial support for the most promising research for a cure. All operating costs are covered through private contributions and all board members are volunteers. This allows 100 % of all donations to go directly to research efforts around the world. For more information about MitoCure, please contact us.

Who MitoCure Supports

The Foundation for a Cure for Mitochondrial Disease, Inc. exists to support research to find medical hope for children and adults afflicted with various forms of Mitochondrial Disease. To that end, the foundation studies various research projects being considered or conducted around the United States and helps to fund the programs found most promising. To date, roughly $3,000,000 has been given to research through the efforts of Mitocure.

Research groups who seek funding to support the study of Mitochondrial Disease are encouraged to contact Mitocure to apply for grants. To request a grant, click here to e-mail the foundation.

What is Mitochondrial Disease?

Mitochondria are tiny cellular organelles that harbor their own DNA (mtDNA).  They are the major source of energy for all cellular processes, and also play a critical role in proper cellular function and survival. Mitochondrial disease is caused by genetic mutations that may originate either in the cell nucleus or in the mitochondria themselves. The tissues and organs of the body most affected by mitochondrial dysfunction are those that depend heavily on significant amounts of energy for normal function: brain, nerves, muscle, heart, liver, kidney and endocrine glands. The connection between mitochondrial dysfunction and a host of human disease states, particularly those associated with neurological disorders is just beginning to become apparent (see the diagram below).

mitospider