Carolinas MGF Chapter Information

Information of the Carolinas Myasthenia Gravis Foundation Chapter

HELLO!!!

Let me introduce ourselves to you. We are the Carolinas Chapter of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation. We serve patients, families, friends and the general public to tell them about the neuromuscular disease, Myasthenia Gravis (MG). We can provide you with additional literature, support groups, advise on insurance and disability problems and try to answer all of your questions. We as a chapter also support medical research to find a cure for this disease.

I hope some time you can join us for one of our meetings. They are held quarterly in Durham, North Carolina. We have speakers, good food and a support group of other patients, families and friends who have Myasthenia Gravis. We have young people, newly diagnosed patients as well as patients who have had the disease for many years. All will welcome you any time.

We also have a toll free 800 line that you can call any time and leave a message. We will return your call as soon as possible and provide you any information you need.

We hope to hear from you soon! If you would like to join our Chapter and be a part of our mailing list to receive our newsletter please call and let us know.

All the Best,
Tina M. Vassar, R.N.
Patient Services

The Carolinas Chapter of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation is an all volunteer Chapter with an all volunteer board which meets at least three times per year in Durham, NC. The following may be of interest to you:

Mission
Patient support is the most important mission for the Chapter. The 800 telephone line is answered by a nurse who also has Myasthenia Gravis and is uniquely qualified to address a number of health care and support issues the caller may have. Referrals from the 800 line, direct mail and physician/clinic sources exceeded 500 during 1996.

Education is another important mission for the Chapter. Literature from the National Office is provided to anyone who calls the Chapter with a request as well as to physicians, nurses, allied health personnel and regional schools of medicine and nursing. More than 1500 newsletters are mailed each quarter to Chapter members, physicians, nurses, allied health personnel and regional schools of medicine and nursing as well as to other Chapters of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation.

Research is supported through several forms of Research Fellowships which are administered by the National Office and the National Medical Advisory Board of the Foundation.

Leadership

Chairperson

· Marcia Lorimer, R.N., MSN

Vice Chairperson

· Ruby Johannesen

Secretary

· Tina Vassar, R.N., MSN, CS

Treasurer

· Lloyd Darter

Medical Advisors

· James F. Howard, Jr., M.D.

· Donald B. Sanders, M.D.

Committees

Public Relations

· Paula Weathrington

Patient Services

· Tina Vassar, R.N., MSN, CS

Newsletters

· Marcia Lorimer, R.N., MSN

How to reach us

Telephone: 919-490-2937 or 800-842-8711
Email: carolinasmgfa@nc.rr.com

Disclaimer
The Myasthenia Gravis pages are intended to provide information - not to advocate particular treatment options. Thus, patients should not change treatment without first consulting their physician.

For information on the Carolinas Chapter of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America and its services, please phone us at (800) 842-8711 or (919) 490-2937.

This web site is edited and maintained by James F. Howard, Jr., M.D. Please address comments or suggestions to:

James F. Howard, Jr., M.D.
Professor of Neurology
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America thanks the Office of Information Systems, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for their support and assistance in making these pages available.