Conquer MG is proud to have served the MG community since 1972! Thanks, MG advocate SeAndrea Ferguson, for creating this video that reflects our joy at turning 50.
This organization has hit many milestones in the past 50 years!
| YEAR | MILESTONE |
1972  | The organization incorporates as the Greater Chicago Area Chapter, Myasthenia Gravis Foundation, Inc. |
 | 200 people attend the first public meeting of MG patients and neurologists at Chicago’s Standard Club. |
| 1973 | Our Medical Advisory Board is established to provide medical resources and respond to member questions. |
| In addition to funding our own initiatives, MGFI began paying dues to and supporting the national Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. Over the years, our organization has operated both as an affiliate of MGFA and as an independent (as we are now). | |
 | MG Newsletter “Conquer”, established, to be sent to members on a quarterly basis |
| Fellowships established for education/research in MG | |
| 1974 | Patient Handbook published and distributed to members |
 1973 – 2012fundraisers   | 1975: Theater party fundraiser at Drury Lane production of “My Three Angels”, starring Chuck Connors. 865 tickets sold, resulting in a net profit of nearly $9,000. Looking back at other fundraisers is a nostalgic walk through the past: |
| 1976 | A medical consultation program on MG was shown in February on Chicago TV channels 7 and 11 |
| Library of tapes on the subject of MG established | |
| Spring membership drive added 100 new members | |
| 1977 | Jean Kempton, author of the book, “Living with Myasthenia Gravis,” gave a presentation at the September meeting. |
 | City of Chicago Mayor Michael Bilandic proclaimed for the first time a “Myasthenia Week” for the city. |
1978 | Governor Jim Thompson declared for the first time an “MG Week” for the State of Illinois. |
| 1981 | Annual Conquer award established to honor an individual for service to the organization |
| 1982 | 10th Anniversary celebration of establishment of Myasthenia Foundation of Greater Chicago, Il. |
| 1983 | MG office moved to Addison, Ill. |
| 1984 | Beth Shaffer hired as first Executive Director. |
| $5,500 received from Frances Beidler Charitable Trust | |
| 1987 | Executive Director Leah M. Kranz hired |
1988 | MG survey sent to 650 members.. Results show countless numbers of positive comments. |
| 1991 | 501(c)(3) rating to operate as an organization separate from the national organization was received from IRS. |
| $1,000 grant made for purchase of a synthesizer to research the molecular biology of Myasthenia. | |
 | 20th anniversary of organization celebrated on the Odessey Cruise ship on Sept. 20. |
| 1995 | Organization name changed from Myasthenia Gravis Foundation, Chicago Chapter, to Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of Illinois. |
| Joyce Holste elected to Board. | |
| 1996 | New area group established in Winfield. and Elmwood Park |
| 1997 | 25th Anniversary celebration at Maywood Park “Night at the Races” raised $5,600. |
| $40,000 anonymous donation received | |
| A 55 minute interview on MG was presented on Chicago Bear radio. Joyce Holste, Helen DeWitt, and Dr. Scott Heller were interviewed | |
1998  | Dr. Wayne Rubenstein volunteered to produce a web page for the organization |
| 1999 | $10,000 grant given to Rush-St. Luke’s for research on Cellcept |
 | myastheniagravis.org website is launched. |
| 2000 | PSA project undertaken to spread knowledge of MG throughout the Chicago area. Radio, TV, print media, Oprah and Jenny Jones are contacted. |
| Congressional campaign started to investigate the shortage of certain MG drugs | |
| 2002 | 30th anniversary Chicago cruise night |
2004  | A Nurses Advisory Board was activated. It will provide outreach educational program about MG for community nurses. |
| 2006 | MGFI supported national MGFA annual conference held in Chicago |
| Support groups in South Suburbs and Quad Cities were restarted | |
| Office moved to Elmhurst, Illinois | |
 | Kimberly LaBounty becomes Executive Director |
| $50,000 anonymous donation given to MGFI | |
2007 | The organization offers 7-8 in-person support groups throughout Illinois and NW Indiana |
| Annual meetings hosted in the Chicago area provide education to MG patients | |
 | First video posted to MGFI’s YouTube Channel |
| Joan Wincentsen becomes member of Board of Trustees | |
 | Board member Peggy Cashman publishes “The Mystery Guest, MG” |
| 2009-2010-2011 | Attacking MG Walk-Run-Swim hosted in Springfield, Illinois, by Kaitlyn Jasmon to benefit MGFI |
2010  | Started Pilot Grant program to promote early development of new ideas, collection of preliminary data; from 2010-2021 have funded 13 studies, $900,000 |
| 2012 | Adopted the vision statement “Eliminate Myasthenia Gravis” and the Values Statement “We work to achieve our mission and vision through our organization, values of care, hope, inspiration, awareness and advocacy.” |
| 2012 | Held “MG Across Generations” panel discussion in Bloomington/Normal |
| 2012 | 40th Anniversary – Drury Lane brunch with Second City troop and raffle; Lisa Guerrero wins Inspiration Contest |
2012  | Bences Maravilla begins raising MG awareness in Chicago-area Latin communities – walking in Aurora’s 4th of July parade &Puerto Rican Festival Parade, Fox Valley United Way Cardboard Boat Race, Latin Health Fairs, when visiting soccer and baseball teams in California and beyond |
2013  | Hosted 1st annual Strides Against MG Walk to raise MG awareness and funds |
| 2013
| Joan Wincentsen becomes Executive Director |
| 2014
| Joined AARDA – now Autoimmune Association to be our eyes on Washington/legislation; have signed many letters advocating improved access to treatments for rare disease, promoting development of treatments |
| 2014 | Started the Patient Assistance Program for MG patients in need in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin; have fulfilled 150 requests for support with $100,000 |
2016  | Renamed the organization Conquer Myasthenia Gravis (Conquer MG for short) |
2020 | Walk becomes Viking Run/Walk |
2019  | Joined MGNet to fund MG research with NIH and MGFA; consortium of academia, pharma and patient advocacy groups; enables us to fund innovative MG research worldwide, and have direct access to the MG research community |
2014 – 2017 – 2020  | Conquer MG presents innovative content on exercise for MG patients, emphasizing wellness and self-care |
2021  | Conquer MG presents innovative content on diet for MG patients, with wellness focus |
| 2019 | Conquer MG begins working with pharma in their quest to deliver MG treatments |
| 2020-2022 | Conquer MG shares its Medical Advisory Board’s COVID guidance through its newsletter, website and email updates |
| 2020 | In-person support groups suspended to protect MG patients. Webinars are offered in place of in-person educational events. |
2021  | Walk goes virtual, becomes the Viking Challenge for MG. The Anywhere MG virtual monthly support group is started. Five webinars provide education for hundreds of MG patients. |
2021  | Conquer MG imagines a “World Without MG,” inviting the MG Community to draw their vision of hope on a virtual whiteboard. Following the sudden passing of Board member Tracy Shackelford, the next year’s walk is dedicated to her memory. |
2022  | 50th Anniversary celebrated, 10th annual Walk/Run takes place -virtually and in-person. 1st Tracy Shackelford MG Service Award is presented to support group leader Mary Kay Hoffmann. Executive Director Joan Wincentsen is presented with the Above and Beyond Award. Several support groups experiment with in-person meetings. |
