First, The United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania makes it their goal to facilitate events to raise awareness and funds for research in the area of mitochondrial disease. Mitochondrial diseases result from failures of the mitochondria, specialized compartments present in every cell of the body except red blood cells. Mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90% of the energy needed by the body to sustain life and support growth. When they fail, less and less energy is generated within the cell. Cell injury and even cell death follow. It is our hope that we will see not only a treatment for this debilitating disease, primarily affecting children, but a cure. Each year, Letters from Lilly supports UMDF by making a contribution in our daughter Lilly's name.

Second, The Jeanne Bean Dream Team, in Portland, Oregon walks in honor of Jeanne, my dear high school friend. Jeanne is a breast cancer survivor. At Letters from Lilly, we have dedicated the pink ribbon design on our artwork to this team, sending the profits from these products to the Jeanne Bean Dream Team in support of the Susan B. Komen Foundation.

We thank you for your continued support of Letters from Lilly.