The Mito Community Advisory Panel (MCAP) is an important way Mito Foundation works with and listens to the mito community. The panel includes people with mito, carers and parents across Australia representing the diversity of our mito community and a variety of types of mito.
The panel provides feedback and ideas regarding services and priorities to invest Mito Foundation’s resources. The panel is also actively involved in community events.
What is involved in being an MCAP member?
- Be a representative for the Mito Foundation in your state
- Regularly communicate with members of the mito community
- Participate in meetings several times per year
- Participate in Mito Foundation events and support activities
- Contribute to the development of new service and funding decisions
If you would like to learn about joining MCAP, please reach out to an MCAP member or contact Toni Catton, General Manager (email toni.catton@mito.org.au).
Diane Cass—Co-Chair
South Australia
Diane migrated to Australia from the UK in 2002 to with her husband and sons. Diane and her children found they had mito in 2019. She found little support for families with multiple affected members. This led her to start a PhD on their experiences. Diane identifies as a person with a disability, and is a strong advocate for disability rights.
Diane joined MCAP in 2024, and became Co-Chair in 2026.
Diane shares how she manages her studies with her condition: "I'm studying, so reading is something that I have to do anyway, and this fits well with fatigue (unless my eyes are too fatigued, in which case I listen to resources using Natural Reader, although I tend to fall asleep!)".
Rebecca Walsh—Co-Chair
Queensland
Bec was diagnosed with mito, after suffering ongoing symptoms for a number of years. She takes every opportunity she can to raise awareness of mito and runs 'Girl with the Green Bow' to connect the Chronic and Invisible Illness community.
Bec joined the MCAP in 2019, and became Co-Chair in 2026.
Ashlee G
Queensland
Ashlee joined the Panel in 2026 after speaking to media about mitochondrial donation on behalf of Mito Foundation. This experience inspired her to become more involved with the Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) and broader mito community.
She brings both personal and family perspectives to the panel, along with an understanding that mito affects each person differently and that many impacts are not visible.
Ashlee hopes to use her skills in listening, understanding different perspectives and navigating complex challenges to support the panel’s work. Outside work, she recharges through books, movies, theatre, coffee walks with friends and quiet time at home.
Mia Bell
South Australia
Originally from Adelaide, Mia was living in the U.K. when she was diagnosed with mito.
Now living back in Adelaide, Mia works part-time and has 2 children. There is an extensive family history of mito, and Mia has shared her story in aid of raising awareness of mito and in support of mitochondrial donation. Mia joined the MCAP in 2016, was Chair between 2018 to 2020, and Co-Chair from 2024 to 2026. She also volunteers as a Peer Support Mentor.
Leigh Caulfield
Victoria
Leigh's son, Tyler, was diagnosed with mito after years of genetic testing due to hearing and vision loss.
Leigh and his wife Laura have fundraised through The Bloody Long Walks every year since Tyler's diagnosis.
Leigh loves spending time with family and enjoying a laugh with friends.
Sarsha Frazer
Queensland
Sarsha joined the MCAP because of their son, Ziggy, who was diagnosed with Pearson syndrome at five months old. During the four years Ziggy lived with mitochondrial disease, they gained a deep understanding of the challenges families face and the strength of the mito community.
Following Ziggy’s death in March 2026, Sarsha remains committed to supporting the community through advocacy and by ensuring the lived experiences of families continue to inform the work of the Mito Foundation.
“The mito community has taught me so much. I’m passionate about making sure the voices and experiences of families continue to shape the work of the Mito Foundation.”
Outside of MCAP, Sarsha has supported the Mito Foundation through fundraising and advocacy, including participating in the Bloody Long Walk with Team Ziggy. They live in Brisbane, where they enjoy spending time in nature and have developed a growing interest in meditation and contemplative practice.
Kim Harrison
Queensland
After many years of seeing various doctors and specialists, Kim was diagnosed with mito in 2018. She had been working full-time for many years. Kim was sad to leave work due to a decline in her condition in 2021. The year after her diagnosis, Kim completed 3 Bloody Long Walks to raise funds and awareness.
Kim joined the MCAP in 2021, holding the position of Co-Chair between 2024 to 2026.
She finds joy spending time in my garden, and getting lost in audiobooks. Speaking of her journey with mito, Kim shares, "Mito has reshaped my entire life, but one positive way it has influenced my daily life is by slowing me down. It has helped me focus on the small things, the moments, people, and experiences that truly matter."
Vishma Mistry
Queensland
Vishma lives with MELAS and mitochondrial diabetes. Mito has affected her family for decades. Read Vishma's mito story.
Vishma brings lived experience, curiosity and a strong interest in education to the Mito Community Advisory Panel. She wants more people including health professionals to understand how mito affects daily life, how differently it can present in each person and how isolating the experience can be.
She has created Courageous Chapters, a book club for the mito community, and the Cells of Courage podcast. Vishma was a panellist at the Neurological Alliance Australia Summit at Parliament House in Canberra, and her husband supports the community through The Bloody Long Walk.
Outside work and advocacy, Vishma enjoys reading, watching movies and episodes of Friends, and spending time with Phoenix, her golden retriever. When her energy is low, she likes to recharge with a book or movie and a cup of tea.
Lani Quirk
Victoria
Lani joined the Mito Community Advisory Panel (MCAP) several years ago to represent young adults in the mito community and continue her family’s contribution. She brings the perspectives of people in the often-overlooked stage between childhood and adulthood. She is particularly interested in helping Mito Foundation connect with more young adults and create meaningful ways for them to take part.
Since Lani was diagnosed with mito in 2014, she and her family have volunteered or taken part in the Melbourne and Mornington Peninsula Bloody Long Walks.
Lani enjoys reading, singing, watching television and movies, spending time with her dog Freddie, and going to Zumba. She also loves seeing kangaroos, echidnas and koalas near her home. When her energy is low, sleep helps her recharge. She wishes more people understood that mito affects everyone differently and that each person’s experience is their own.
