Jade's story shows how important it is for all the many different variants of mitochondrial disease to be identified. Without the gene that impacts being discovered Jade, she would still be waiting for diagnosis.
I was born in 1992 and my mum remembers that I had feeding issues from the start of my life. I ended up under the care of Manchester Children’s Hospital where my health issues were a puzzle to doctors.
I would often get poorly, end up in hospital and be found to high lactate and ketone levels in my urine and low blood sugar. Although this had similarities to diabetes, I wasn’t diabetic.
When I was around 7, a skin biopsy was sent to Japan.
We managed the symptoms by ensuring I ate regularly and didn’t ever fast, except overnight. We moved to York when I was around 11 and my health thankfully remained steady, and I didn’t need to see any specialists for a good while.
Then in 2023, I started getting horrendously tired. When I started with vision loss in one eye, it led to a hospital stay and lots of tests, including a brain scan. We were told that white lesions were found and referred to Salford Royal Infirmary which specialises in metabolic disorders.
In November 2024, we received a letter explaining the genetic results which mentioned mitochondrial issues, but we didn’t really take much from it. It was at a face-to-face appointment in March 2025 where it was explained to us in more detail, enabling us to understand that mitochondrial diseases are a specific type of metabolic disorder which involve defects to our mitochondria, and our body’s ability to produce energy.
All this hasn’t stopped me enjoying life; I am working in a secondary school as part of the cleaning team. I have an e-bike and use it to get to work and go shopping. I enjoy visiting family, and I support The York Knights rugby league team. I’m also a massive soaps fan, with Corrie and Eastenders being my favourites.
I have varying days health-wise, some where I feel okay and others where I’m extremely tired, but I’m used to managing it well.
mitochondrial disease and raise awareness as people struggle to understand what mito is about.
It’ll be great to work as part of a team of other people who are impacted, towards much needed treatments and a cure.
Any funds raised by Jade’s mission goes to My Mito Mission’s
central funds to be granted towards research and support projects
to benefit everyone affected by mito.
Spreading the word, following, sharing, as well as donating and raising funds are all really helpful and valued. From running a race to holding a bake sale, hosting a collecting can to giving out Jade’s Mito Mission leaflets – there are so many ways in which you can get involved.
If you’d simply like to donate to Jade’s mission, choose a way that suits you below.
Regular donations are the most powerful way to support our vital work, allowing us as a small, high-energy charity to plan and build from a strong foundation.
We need a 1000 strong team of amazing people to donate any amount from just £2 a month. 1000 is a lot, but – one by one – we know that we can reach it. Find out more here.
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My Mito Mission is a Charity Registered in England & Wales No. 1176616 at c/o KT Hydraulics, Gannex Park, Dewsbury Road, Elland HX5 9AF
