The United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) was formed in 1996 by bringing together several of the early mitochondrial foundations and interest groups. Some of these included the COX (Cytochrome c Oxidase) Foundation, founded by Charles (Chuck) Mohan, the PALS (People Affected by Leigh Syndrome) Foundation, founded by Mark Fleming, and the National Leigh’s Disease Foundation (NLDF), founded by Charles Wilbanks.
