Mission and History

Serving MG patients for 50 years

Mission Statement

Our mission is to facilitate the timely diagnosis and optimal care of individuals affected by myasthenia gravis and to improve their lives through programs of patient services, public awareness, medical research, professional education, advocacy and patient care.

Vision Statement

Eliminate Myasthenia Gravis.

Values Statement

We work to achieve our mission and vision through our organization, values of care, hope, inspiration, awareness and advocacy.

Conquer Myasthenia Gravis (formerly known as the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of Illinois) was founded in 1972 by a grass roots group of caring patients, family members and physicians who wanted to help patients achieve the best quality of life, while living with and managing their MG. A national Myasthenia Gravis Foundation existed, but contact with Illinois was limited. The founders believed local patients needed to communicate with other patients as well as have ready access to the most current information. A Chicago area patient, in conjunction with Dr. Benjamin Boshes, then Chairman of the Neurology Department at Northwestern University, convened a meeting. Over 200 people attended.

Since itsConquerMG_221x222px start in 1972, this organization has expanded its coverage from Illinois to serve patients in northwest Indiana and southeast Wisconsin.

In June 2016, the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of Illinois adopted a new name and logo. As Conquer Myasthenia Gravis (Conquer MG for short), we remain an independent nonprofit organization, rooted in our mission.

 

Conquer Myasthenia Gravis has four major goals.

  • Provide supportive, cost-effective services for patients and families that improve quality of life
  • Raise public awareness about MG and the challenges patients encounter each day
  • Educate and inform medical professionals to eliminate drawn out diagnoses, misdiagnoses and encounters with doctors who are unfamiliar with MG
  • Support national and local research to find the cause and discover a cure for MG

Our Members Guide Us

When formulating and pursuing our goals, Conquer MG talks to many patients, family members, friends, and healthcare professionals. We welcome input from everyone affected by MG. We appreciate the knowledge we gain by listening to all who take the time to contact us.

Information on this page updated June 2022.