The Mitochondrial Research Guild is a special interest guild of Seattle Children's Hospital. The guild was founded by a group of families in the Seattle area that are working together to raise awareness, promote research, and improve the quality of medical care that is available to children that are dealing with the devastating and potentially life threatening effects of this disease.

Over the last four years the Mitochondrial Research Guild has raised over $600,000 from our annual "Cure for Mito" auction and dinner. This money is being used to support the long-term vision that the guild has embarked on in conjunction with Dr. Russ Saneto and Children's Hospital to establish a Center of Excellence for mitochondrial disease in the Northwest. Currently, Dr. Saneto is the only mitochondrial specialist in the Seattle area and one of only approximately 50 specialists in the United States.

To achieve this long-term vision, raising awareness about this disease is crucial. Today, most people have never even heard of the disease and yet it is one of the fastest growing disciplines in biomedicine. Most physicians are still treating the symptoms associated with the disease without ever finding out what the underlying cause is so part of our mission is to educate physicians and the general public on the disease with the hope that they will come to Children?s Hospital to receive a proper diagnosis.

As we continue to raise awareness about the disease, the need to expand the medical services at Children's Hospital continues to grow. Of particular importance is the ability to quickly and easily identify mitochondrial disease. New techniques such as needle biopsies as well as the ability to process fresh muscle biopsies and provide DNA sequencing here in the Northwest are important components of becoming a Center of Excellence.

Research is the third pillar of our vision. While a cure is still several years away, research studies that provide a better understanding of this extremely complex disease will hopefully result in new medical treatments that will improve the quality of life for children living with the impacts of this disease. Dr. Saneto is working on several studies that are in various stages of completion and as the Center of Excellence is established the number of projects and the amount of funding from grants will continue to increase.

As the guild heads into its fifth year of existence, the long-term vision of the guild remains strong. We are very fortunate to have a dedicated specialist such as Dr. Saneto who puts in countless hours and effort, along with a great medical institution, Children's Hospital and all of our sponsors and donors sharing our vision.

The Mitochondrial Research Guild is currently looking for new members to assist us in achieving our goals. If you or someone you know is dealing with the effects of mitochondrial disease and you want to make a difference please consider joining the guild.

For additional information on how you can help please contact Jill Herczog at j.herczog@verizon.net or Ashley Farrington at a.farrington2@verizon.net.