We have just returned from a clinical and research mini-symposium on Mitochondrial Disease with Dr. Schoffner and we are so excited about some of the promising work that the Foundation of Molecular Medicine will be conducting soon. Dr. Schoffner reviewed with us the disease and how the mitochondria in each cell are 'supposed' to function, but - for the first time - he also discussed ideas that they have for treatments. YES - I said treatments! Up until now there have been no treatments for the actual disease itself. There have been supplements (that we all spend hundreds of dollars on a month) that they have said can slow down the progression of the disease, but there has never been any drug that they know of that could actually treat Mito. People with Mito could take drugs to help alleviate some of the symptoms that might go with the disease (heart problems, seizures, vision loss, etc.) - but again, not drugs to cure the symptoms. Dr. Schoffner feels that he has found a drug that could help to cure some aspects of this disease - AND, in some cases, may have found a drug that could help reverse some of the damage that may have been done from Mitochondrial Disease. Isn't that wonderful news!? Of course, this could take years to uncover completely before it is available to the public, but he feels so strongly about it that he is now beginning treatments on people. There is one little girl, (2 1/2 yrs. old) that will be the first to undergo the clinical study. We don't know her name - but do ask for prayers for her and for her family that this will be a success story. Not only will this treatment possibly help this little girl and her very brave family, but it could open up the door to so many other children and adults with this disease. There is hope! We pray that God will give these scientists, doctors and families the knowledge that they will need to be able to come up with a cure for this disease that can be so devestating to so many families. Keep praying!!