meet patients

living with TK2d

Learn about the real-world experiences of people living with TK2d, listen to their stories, and gain a better understanding of the impact of TK2d on their lives. Every patient is unique, and their individual experiences may vary. All of their stories are important.

TK2D Patient Stories

Learn about the real-world experiences of people living with TK2d, listen to their stories, and gain a better understanding of the impact of TK2d on their lives. Every patient is unique, and their individual experiences may vary. All of their stories are important.

Meet Doreen, who lives with TK2d

Doreen talks about her day-to-day life, the impact of TK2d, and her hopes for the future.

  • Intro card: Meet Doreen, who lives with TK2d. Doreen lives in the US with her daughter and fiancé. She is an ambassador for the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation and works to support others living with thymidine kinase 2 deficiency (TK2d).
  • Doreen: Hello. My name is Doreen, and I have TK2, which I was diagnosed with in 2015.
    • On-screen super: Thymidine kinase deficiency type 2 (TK2d) is a genetic mitochondrial disorder.
  • Title card: Day-to-day life with TK2d for Doreen
  • Doreen: When I was first diagnosed, although I had symptoms, I was able to do my normal activities. Today, I can't. Each day for me is different depending on my level of fatigue and weakness, that I find that each day I can do less and less. It can take up to an hour to eat, because my mouth and facial muscles are weak, making it harder to chew and swallow liquids or solid foods without choking. My symptoms have rapidly progressed in the last 3 years. What worries me most about my condition is that I'll be unable to eat and breathe on my own.
  • Title card: The impact of TK2d on Doreen
  • Doreen: TK2 has progressively taken away my physical strength, my ability to eat, swallow, and breathe. It's hard to form words and speak clearly because my mouth gets tired very easily. Also I have weakness in my face, which makes it impossible for me to form a smile. It makes it hard to greet and interact with people because facial expressions are an important way people communicate. When you don't have the ability to smile, you are at a disadvantage. I used to have a job in the medical field that I loved, but the effects of TK2 have robbed me of my career. I'm no longer able to work or live alone but have become dependent upon my loved ones to help with my care.
  • Title card: Doreen's hopes for the future
  • Doreen: I hope in the future TK2 patients like myself live more fruitful lives. I also hope that one day I will be able to form a smile and speak without any difficulty.
  • Title card: together, we have the power to take on TK2d

Sign up and stay informed

Register to stay on top of the latest developments and get updated about newsworthy milestones.

*All fields are required

We respect your privacy. Please review the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
In addition, all of our future communications will include an opportunity to opt out. WHO WE ARE Click here to learn more about UCB and our efforts to take on TK2d.