Volunteers Needed – the Core of Conquer MG

Posted by myasthenia

Will you keep this work going?

A message from Bob Rosecrans, Conquer MG Chairperson
Conquer MG is at a crossroads and the organization’s existence requires people to step up and volunteer to assist with numerous programs.
The organization is supporting an NIH-funded grant called MGNet, working with its Chicago-based Medical Advisory Board, providing financial patient assistance, hosting educational patient seminars, responding to individual patient calls, organizing fund raising activities, managing an office, and so much more.
The current Board is small – five people. We need individuals like you to move Conquer MG forward with new fresh ideas.  Please consider stepping up.
Read more about your opportunities. Then click to volunteer.

1st Need: Board Members

Are you good at developing a budget, coming up with ideas for fundraisers and educational seminars, or writing board minutes? Consider serving on the Conquer MG Board for 2 years.
The time commitment: reasonable.
  • Sunday meetings – 4-5 times a year, mostly in the Chicago west suburb of Elmhurst, Illinois
  • Attendance at two education seminars a year
  • Attendance at fundraisers, including the June benefit walk/run
The financial commitment: flexible. We expect and appreciate a contribution; the amount is up to you.

2nd Need: Fundraising

It takes a team to plan our Viking 5K Fun Run/Walk! The more hands involved, the easier (and more fun) it is to assemble sponsors, raffle prizes, snacks,  press releases and activities.
The Run/Walk Committee meets monthly (usually Saturday mornings), January to May, plus it’s all hands on deck to host the event in June.
Other fundraising events. Will it be a trivia night? a yoga benefit? or maybe group that goes to a local sporting event? Help us decide!

3rd Need: Projects

Social Media Support. Post  about myasthenia and Conquer MG news.
Website Review. The Conquer MG website needs a good cleaning. Help us decide what to toss!
Writing. Share your MG story, or write about an MG topic.

Bakers Square Pie Card – holiday fundraiser!

Posted by myasthenia

Pie card for myasthenia gravisBakers Sq logo

Bakers Square Sweet Returns™ cards – $18 each

This season help those who struggle with myasthenia gravis – and enjoy mouthwatering holiday pies at the same time!   When you purchase Bakers Square Sweet Returns™ cards for $18 apiece, a portion of your contribution goes toward Conquer MG’s effort to provide vital MG information to 2,000 patients, family members and friends. Make a purchase, and we’ll put the cards in the mail for you!

Buy Now Button

Use Sweet Returns™ cards:

  • For your holiday get-togethers
  • As hostess gifts
  • As gifts for teachers, neighbors, service people
  • For those hard-to-buy-for folks on your holiday gift list

Each card is good for…

One whole Fruit, Silk, or Classic pie and has no end date.
Pies are subject to availability and seasonality.

Without a card, pies are $14.50 to $17.50.

Bakers Square locations in Illinois, Northwest Indiana, and Iowa

ILLINOIS

Alsip:  4839 W. 111th Street, one block west of Cicero

Bourbonnais:    1315 Armour Road
Chicago – Foster & Harlem:   5220 N. Harlem Avenue

Gurnee:    South Perimeter Drive on Gurnee Mills Mall

LaGrange:   942 S. LaGrange Road

Lansing:    3545 Ridge Road, at Ridge & Wentworth
Libertyville:   1195 S. Milwaukee Avenue
Melrose Park:  1319 W. North Avenue

Naperville – Fox Valley Mall:   796 So. State Route 59
Orland Park:   158th & Harlem, 15711 S. Harlem Avenue
Orland Park:   14651 S. LaGrange Road
Palatine:  270 E. Northwest Highway
Springfield:   3434 Freedom Drive, Veterans Parkway & Lindbergh Blvd
Woodridge:   2020 W. 75th Street

NORTHWEST INDIANA

Merrillville:   8140 Mississippi Street

Schererville: 1675 U.S. Highway 41

IOWA

Clive:   1310 NW 114th Street

Thank you for considering a gift to Conquer Myasthenia Gravis.

To Purchase Cards by Mail

You can call with your credit card. Or send us a note with your return address and number of cards you want, along with a payable to Conquer MG to:

Conquer Myasthenia Gravis

275 N. York Street, Suite 201

Elmhurst, IL 60126

MG Research Gets NIH Funding Boost

Posted by myasthenia

Conquer MG is excited to share news that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a team at the George Washington University (GW) $7.8 million to establish a rare disease network for myasthenia gravis. Conquer MG will join scientists and physicians from academic institutions, other patient advocacy groups, and biotech/pharma companies, to better understand and treat MG.

The MG Network will be led by Henry Kaminski, MD (GW) and will be part of 25 established NIH Rare Diseases Clinical Research Networks.

Conquer MG has made a commitment ($50,000 per year for at least two years) to fund pilot projects through the network that explore MG’s underlying pathogenesis and treatment. The commitment from Conquer MG, as well as that of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA), was a key factor in showing the support of the MG Community for the project – which the NIH stated was an essential part of its criteria for funding.

Conquer MG’s Medical Advisory Chair Betty Soliven, MD, University of Chicago, will serve on the pilot grant review committee.  Conquer MG also looks forward to offering the network a patient-focused perspective, and will help promote the network’s research initiatives with patients.

The MGNet logo was designed in teal, the color that represents MG. The image reflects the neuromuscular junction, with its uneven peaks and valleys. And the text “shadow” alludes to double vision that is so often the first symptom of MG.

Click to read the GW’s press release explaining more about MGNet.

Click here to access the request for application for fellowships and pilot grants.