Featured Charity of the Month
Myasthenia Gravis Association
The Myasthenia Gravis Association (MGA) was established in 1976 to promote the welfare of sufferers of the rare illness known as Myasthenia Gravis (MG). MGA is a small national charity, with 6 staff in their Head Office in Derby, and 9 Regional Organisers throughout the UK and Ireland. They are the only UK-based charity offering support to Myasthenics and their families.
Myasthenia Gravis is an auto immune disease characterised by a fluctuating and sometimes fatal muscle weakness. It can affect anyone of any age, race or sex. Activities taken for granted by many people, become difficult or even impossible at times for MG sufferers - things such as eating, lifting arms, speaking to friends or even laughing. There is no cure!
Being so rare, it can be very hard to diagnose, and sufferers can experience the effects of MG for years before they are finally diagnosed and given the correct treatment. Everyone who suffers from MG has varying degrees of symptoms and severity, which means that even when the disease has been diagnosed, the correct drugs dosage can be hard to establish. There is no straightforward formula for controlling the symptoms of MG.
Research, Care and Education
MGA raises money to fund research into Myasthenia Gravis, sponsoring fellowships focused entirely on the disease and continually strives to educate the public about MG, constantly trying to raise the profile of the disease and the charity. There is enormous support for sufferers of MG with a free helpline 0800-919922 as well as a network of branches, run by MG sufferers and their families which is used as support for newly diagnosed Myasthenics, and to share their own experiences. If you would like more details of MGA or of a branch near you, please go to their website www.mga-charity.org.
Fundraising events
The regional organisers support the branches and also raise their own vital funds throughout the year, by organising various exciting events, such as Firewalking and Abseils, or much more laid back events such as Comedy Nights and Pamper Evenings. In 2008 the biggest challenge is WORLDWALK – an attempt to cover the circumference of the World by getting as many people to walk for MGA as possible. You can help them in this by organising your own walk, or getting involved in a National event. More information of how you can get involved can be found at worldwalk.myastheniagravis.co.uk/. There are events going on countrywide and in London they host a new event most months. For details of all the upcoming events, please go to www.events.myastheniagravis.co.uk.
Events in London include:
13 February - MGA pamper evening at the Wall Bar in the City. Tickets cost £20
21 February - Unsigned night at Bar Music Hall, Shoreditch, FREE entrance
6 March - MGA Comedy Night
More details of the above events from Maria Martin on 07777 9121621.
See past charity of the month entries here.