Lorenzo's Oil

Talk, film and discussion about two parents' quest for a cure for their son's rare inherited disease.

This Hollywood film released in 1992, is based on the true story of Augusto and Michaela Odone and their son Lorenzo. In 1984, Lorenzo came down with adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a rare inherited disease. Doctors said that he would lose all his functions and die within two to three years.

With no medical training, the Odones set out on a mission to find a treatment for ALD and to save their child searching medical libraries, speaking to countless researchers and doctors worldwide, and persisted until a solution came to them in a moment of inspiration.

They commissioned a special type of oil from British firm, Croda International, which normalized the accumulation of very long chain fatty acids in the brain, the hallmark of ALD and while not a total cure, Lorenzo lived until 2008.

Augusto Odone was awarded an honorary Ph.D. for his pioneering work in researching and discovering a significant treatment for ALD.

Dr Keith Layden, Croda International will introduce the film with a short presentation and Cristina Odone, half sister of Lorenzo, will lead a question and answer session after the film.

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