Author: Steph Brooks

We’re delighted to announce that our Medical Alert Wristbands are now available to order, free of charge for anybody with a mitochondrial disease diagnosis. 

Read on to find out more about the project, and how to order yours if you’re impacted.

Providing the kind of support those affected by mito want and need is at the very core of what we do. Time after time, we have heard that people are worried about whether they will get appropriate medical care where mitochondrial disease will be taken into account, either for themselves or a loved one – especially in an emergency situation, or where communication is difficult for any reason.

We listened, explored options and liaised further… and these fabulous wristbands are the result. We are thrilled to now be able to provide them free of charge for anyone with mito.

These superb quality wristbands have been developed by The ID Band Company and are adjustable to fit from wrist size 5.25 to 8.25 inches. Known as Medical Ultrabands, they are made from super soft silicone and are totally waterproof and ultra hard wearing, yet smooth, flexible and comfortable to wear.

(Left to right) Some of our valued missions modelling their wristbands: Callie’s Mito Mission, Ardglass; Aiman’s Mito Mission, Rochdale; Regan’s Mito Mission, Cradley Heath

This unique, bespoke version made especially for My Mito Mission and the mito community is in our vibrant, easily-seen green – the international colour for mito. The clear black text engraved on bright white panels gives direct access via a QR code to specialist mito guidelines and also to the level of additional medical and personal information each wearer would like. The clinical guidelines let medical professionals know if and when they need to alter the standard treatment according to mito patients’ needs, and who they can contact if they need further advice.

Medical wristbands can help communicate your medical needs when you can’t. In an emergency situation, or in a more general medical setting where there is no mito specialism, medical professionals can:

• be alerted to your condition
• gain quick access to specialist clinical guidelines
• be aware of any other medical needs, allergies etc.
• access personal information such as your name, your emergency contact name and their details

We initially launched the wristbands to our missionees, and have received some incredible feedback so far:

“Having a medical alert wristband gives me reassurance that people will know about my illness should anything happen and I’m unable to tell them.” – Steph, Bury St Edmunds

“Having our medical wristbands makes things easy for hospital stays and appointments; instead of repeating myself about mito each time, they can now scan the QR code and get all information they need.” – Melanie, West Midlands

A huge thank you goes to our valued missionees for their input in developing these bands, to the Newcastle Mitochondrial Disease Clinic, and to The ID Band Company!

Order yours now on our website – just scroll to the bottom of the page to find the order form, and fill in your details.

We were fortunate recently to have been invited to speak on both BBC Radio Leeds and BBC Radio Sheffield!

Our co-founder & chair Christine Beal was on BBC Radio Leeds earlier this month with the lovely Gayle Lofthouse to talk about all things mitochondrial disease and My Mito Mission!

Emma Sheppard, Lillia’s mum from Lillia’s Mito Mission also took to the airwaves this month, this time on BBC Radio Sheffield, with Ellie Colton. 

We appreciate any opportunity to raise awareness of mitochondrial disease, and are very grateful to both BBC Radios Sheffield and Leeds for their time and consideration.