THE Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Brian Tierney has called on local people to support the ‘Go Green for Mito’ campaign launching next week.
The Council Offices in Derry’s Strand Road and the Tinnie’s sculpture in Strabane will be lit up green from Monday 14th September for seven days as part of the Global Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week.
The ‘Go Green for Mito’ Campaign raises awareness, educates and supports those living with mitochondrial disease.
‘Mito’ as it’s become known, is an incurable, progressive and potentially life-limiting genetic disorder that affects an estimated one baby born in the UK every day.
Recent research has found links between mitochondrial disease and other serious diseases including diabetes, Parkinson’s, epilepsy and dementia.
Mayor Tierney explained that Derry and Strabane first joined the global campaign last year when a motion to raise awareness was brought before Full Council.
“Mitochondrial Disease is a devastating illness that can affect any person at any time in their life – and it can affect any organ, in any person at any age,” he explained.
“We are only beginning to understand more about this disease, and I’m sure a lot of people have not even heard of it.
“Because every person with Mitochondrial Disease is affected differently – there are a huge variety of symptoms and variations in severity, therefore it can be difficult to diagnose and there is no cure.
“I am delighted that Council is supporting this campaign and I hope that by raising awareness we can help families affected by the disorder.”
Sites around the world will be illuminated in support of the campaign next week and last year’s sites included the Eiffel Tower and Rio’s Christ the Redeemer statue.
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