We believe in the power of community and compassion. Each day, children with mitochondrial disease and their families face immense challenges, but together, we can make a difference 💚
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About The Liam Foundation

The Liam Foundation: The Leading Mitochondrial Disease Organization in Canada and Around the World

Founded in 2019 by a father who refused to give up on his son, The Liam Foundation has become the leading voice for families facing POLG and mitochondrial disease in Canada and in more than 30 countries. We fund life-changing research, support families from the day of diagnosis, and raise awareness of a disease that too few people know about, until it touches their lives.

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Discover Liam's Journey

“My life's primary mission is to discover a cure for this devastating illness. Each day, my thoughts are consumed by the desire to save Liam and other children with the same disease.

As a father who once felt hopeless, I now wake up every morning with the purpose of instilling hope in families who believe their world has just ended. I once thought we would find a cure, but now I KNOW we will.“

Signature - Kevin James Reason - Liam Foundation - 2

Kevin James Reason, Liam’s Dad

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Helping is the great virtue for human
What We Do

Three Pillars, One Mission

Funding Mitochondrial Disease Research

We fund innovative scientific research and clinical trials to find effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for POLG and other mitochondrial diseases.

Supporting Affected Families

We provide guidance, resources, financial assistance and emotional support to families coping with mitochondrial disease, from the day of diagnosis onward.

Raising Awareness

We educate the public and the medical community about mitochondrial disease, and advocate for faster diagnosis, more research funding and better support for families.

Always Forward

From One Diagnosis to a Global Movement against Mitochondrial Disease

2019
Liam Story - Mitochondrial Disease - Liam Foundation
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything

Liam is diagnosed with POLG disease, a rare genetic form of mitochondrial disease. Doctors say there is no cure. His father, Kevin James Reason, founds The Liam Foundation and partners with the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation.

2021
Liam Story - Mitochondrial Disease - Liam Foundation - 4
A First in North America

Liam becomes the first POLG patient in North America to receive deoxycytidine/deoxythymidine (dC/dT) therapy, in a clinical trial at the Montreal Children's Hospital funded mainly by The Liam Foundation. His family soon sees improvements in his walking and communication.

2024
Liam and Kevin James Reason - Liam Foundation
Results That Made Headlines

The first results of the trial, led by Dr. Kenneth Myers, are published in eClinicalMedicine. They show that dC/dT therapy is safe and potentially effective for POLG-related disorders, and attract international attention.

2025
A Record-Breaking Community

The 2nd Annual Chris Nilan Golf Classic raises $200,000. Families from around the world continue to join the trial and our community.

2026
World's Leading Network for Mitochondrial Disease and POLG
Long-Term Proof and Global Expansion

Long-term results published in Neurotherapeutics confirm that dC/dT therapy is safe and effective for POLG-related disorders. The foundation expands with the Liam Mito Centre, Liam Pharma, the Liam Mito Registry, the Liam Scholar Program, and new branches in Boston and Ireland.

2027
The Journey Continues

The 4th Annual Chris Nilan Golf Classic, July 12, 2027, at Summerlea Golf & Country Club.

Science That Changes Lives

The Foundation Behind the First Effective POLG Treatment

The Liam Foundation was the main funder of the world's first clinical trial to show that a treatment for POLG-related disorders, dC/dT combination therapy, is safe and effective. The trial is led by pediatric neurologist Dr. Kenneth Myers at the Montreal Children's Hospital and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre. It is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04802707) and was approved by Health Canada.

25
patients treated
39%
improvement in clinical scores after 24 months
11%
first-year mortality in early-onset children, compared with more than 50% expected from natural history data
25
Patients from Canada, the U.S., Brazil and India

The patients in our cohort are not just alive — they are doing better.

Dr. Kenneth Myers, Principal Investigator
A Global Family

Supporting Families in More Than 30 Countries

Mitochondrial disease knows no borders, and neither do we. From our headquarters in Boucherville, Québec, The Liam Foundation supports and connects families in more than 30 countries across North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Oceania. With our new branches in Boston and Ireland, we are bringing our mission closer to families, researchers and supporters in the United States and Europe.

No family should face mitochondrial disease alone, and wherever it strikes, we are there.

Leading the Fight against Mitochondrial disease and POLG in 30+ Countries, World map of the 30+ countries where The Liam Foundation supports families affected by mitochondrial disease
Join Our Global Family
Liam’s Courageous Journey

A Story of Hope, Resilience, and Unyielding Strength

The Inspiration Behind Our Work

The Liam Foundation was born out of the love and determination of a family whose child was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease.

Inspired by Liam's courage and resilience, we are committed to turning this personal battle into a movement for change and hope.

Discover the Liam Journey's
Our Journey

Since our inception, The Liam Foundation has grown into a powerful force for good, uniting families, researchers, and advocates in the fight against mitochondrial disease.

Our journey is one of compassion, dedication, and an unyielding commitment to finding a cure.

Discover the story with Chris Nilan
The People Behind the Mission

Together, we work tirelessly to fulfill our mission
and bring hope to families in need.

Kevin James Reason - Founder Liam Foundation
Kevin James Reason
Liam's Dad and Founder

A father on a mission to find a cure for POLG and mitochondrial disease, for…

emily reason - coordinator Liam Foundation Leading Mitochondrial Disease Organization Globally
Emily Reason
Liam's Sister and Coordinator

As Liam’s big sister, Emily Reason’s mission with the Liam Foundation is deeply personal. Alongside…

Christine Tellier at the Liam Foundation the leading Mitochondriale Disease Foundation in Canada
Christine Tellier
Director

Christine Tellier has been one of the Liam Foundation’s most dedicated leaders since first hearing…

Chris "Knuckles" Nilan, Montreal Canadiens Stanley Cup champion and ambassador of The Liam Foundation
Chris Nilan
Ambassador

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Few Numbers

Our Positive Impact against the Mitochondrial Disease by the Numbers

Make a donation
80+
Charity Events
200+
Supported and Understood Families all around the world
120+
Monthly Donator
1000 +
Community Members United
United for a Common Cause

Our Heartfelt Partners

Our progress would not be possible without partners who share our commitment to children living with mitochondrial disease. Together with the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation, we fund research and clinical trials at the Montreal Children's Hospital. Chris Nilan's Heart of a Warrior campaign and our event partners help us raise funds and awareness year after year. The trial we fund also receives support from the Savoy Foundation, the Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie Foundation and the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé.

Testimonials

Families Share Their Journey with The Liam Foundation

On December 31st, Harper's dad found her unconscious and not breathing, leading to a terrifying journey of seizures, comas, and hospital stays. Diagnosed with a severe POLG mitochondrial disorder, Harper has battled through unimaginable challenges, including liver failure. Despite her struggles, Harper’s spirit remains unbroken—she still smiles, laughs, and brightens the lives of everyone around her. At just 2 ½ years old, her resilience and sense of humor shine, showing the world her unyielding strength and love for life.
Testimonial Harper Affected by Mitochondrial disease - Liam Foundation
Harper's StoryBy Elizabeth | Harper's Mom
Branden Christian Petro, my brave son, is the light in my darkest moments, and his smile, laughter, and voice are deeply missed. Despite the unimaginable pain of watching him suffer, his strength continues to inspire. Mitochondrial Disease may have taken so much, but it will never take away his courage. I cherish every moment and urge you to hold your loved ones close, for time is precious. Branden, you will forever be the center of my world. I love you always, until forever is no more.
Branden-The-Brave - Mitochondrial Disease Testimonial - Liam Foundation
Branden The Brave's StoryBy Renee | Branden's Mom
On April 11, 2022, I found my son Sarhan going unconscious and vomiting nonstop, we rushed to the hospital and found he was having a seizure, after several visits to doctors we came to know he is having POLG Mitochondrial disorder which we never heard about.

Every day he faces new challenges like managing energy levels, dealing with body jurks, seizures and many more but our little one is incredibly strong and keeps surprising us with his determination.
SARHAN TESTIMONIAL LIAM FOUNDATION-2
SarhanSarhan's Family
Tucker was born in September of 2021 after a healthy pregnancy and smooth delivery. He was perfect on the growth charts and we were over the moon as first time parents. In Tucker's first year of life, he had some feeding issues and muscle issues that were written off as "normal" baby issues and that he would outgrow them or catch up.

At 17 months old, Tucker kept having odd spells where he would become wobbly and his eyes would roll around. As first time parents, we just thought that he was overly tired. Every day he faces new challenges like managing energy levels, dealing with body jurks, seizures and many more but our little one is incredibly strong and keeps surprising us with his determination.
TUCKER-STORY-MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASE TESTIMONIAL-2
TuckerBy Kandis | Tucker's Mom
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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About The Liam Foundation

The Liam Foundation was founded in 2019 by Kevin James Reason, after his son Liam was diagnosed with POLG disease, a rare genetic form of mitochondrial disease. Kevin made finding a cure his life’s mission and built a family-driven team to fund research, support families and raise awareness.

The Liam Foundation is headquartered in Boucherville, Québec, Canada, and supports families in more than 30 countries. It is expanding with new branches in Boston, in the United States, and in Ireland.

The Liam Foundation was the main funder of the world’s first clinical trial to show that a treatment for POLG-related disorders, dC/dT combination therapy, is safe and effective. It has organized more than 80 charity events and supports more than 200 families worldwide.

The team includes founder Kevin James Reason, Liam’s sister and coordinator Emily Reason, director Christine Tellier, and ambassador Chris Nilan, a former Montreal Canadiens player and Stanley Cup champion.

The Liam Foundation supports families and partners in more than 30 countries. These include Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Argentina, India, Japan, Australia and South Africa. The foundation is headquartered in Québec, Canada, and is expanding with new branches in Boston and Ireland.

Yes. The Liam Foundation is a registered non-profit organization in Québec, Canada. Eligible donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law, and official tax receipts are issued for qualifying gifts.

Yes. The Liam Foundation supports and connects families in more than 30 countries through resources, guidance and an international community of parents and caregivers.

You can make a one-time or monthly donation, attend or sponsor an event such as the Chris Nilan Golf Classic, bid at Liam’s Auctions, volunteer, or join our community if your family is affected by mitochondrial disease.