About The POLG Foundation
The POLG Foundation was created in early 2021 by Robert and Julie de Luxembourg and their son, Frederik de Nassau. In July 2016, Frederik was diagnosed with Mitochondrial Disease, a severe genetic disorder that robs the body’s cells of energy, in turn causing multiple organ dysfunction and failure. Frederik’s particular disease was due to mutations in the POLG gene. It was as if Frederik had a faulty battery that never fully recharged and remained in a constant state of depletion.
Of all mitochondrial diseases, the adolescent onset of POLG disorders was among the cruellest, for at the very moment when young people should have been venturing out into the world, they were instead losing their ability to walk, eat, and see. Any hope of independence was stripped away because no effective treatments or cures existed.
Frederik and his family set out to change this with the creation of The POLG Foundation, which aimed to pursue a visionary and innovative approach to treating and curing complex POLG Mitochondrial Disease.
The Foundation’s investment in mitochondrial research was further encouraged by the recognition that greater knowledge of POLG might open the door to improved treatments for a variety of related diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, cardiac issues, depression, and some cancers.
Although The POLG Foundation was still in its infancy, it had already attracted broad support within the global scientific and medical communities, and luminaries from various fields offered their time and expertise as members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, Scientific Advisory Board, and friends.
About the MITO clothing line and Creative Director, Frederik de Nassau
In May of 2021, Frederik began his work as the Creative Director for The POLG Foundation. He designed the website, logo, and overall look, and with the help of his sister and brother, he managed the social media platform. He also created a clothing line called MITO with the aim of raising awareness about Mitochondrial Disease and generating funds for the Foundation’s efforts. These creative endeavours and the work of The POLG Foundation gave Frederik a renewed sense of purpose and hope. His overwhelming desire was to help others like him, who were also facing significant challenges while living with “MITO.”
As the Creative Director, Frederik oversaw all things visual: color palette, font, and design. The fashion line grew from this artistic process and became the face of the Foundation. All proceeds from the clothing line went toward The POLG Foundation and directly supported the research being conducted to find a cure for POLG Mitochondrial Disease.
The MITO line was designed for those who value color, playfulness, and positivity. The graphics and colors created for MITO were inspired by the mitochondria cell and the research being done for POLG Mitochondrial Disease. MITO was created as a hopeful, humorous, and energetic visual representation of Frederik’s experience living with the disease.