ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE
Myasthenia Gravis Association of Colorado

 

Name:
	The Myasthenia Gravis Association of Colorado
How to Reach Us:
	Mailing Address: P.O. Box 390083 Denver, Co. 80239 E-mail Address: 4mga@4-mga.org Phone: 303-360-7080 Fax: 303-360-7080 Web Site: 4-mga.org
What is Myasthenia Gravis?
	Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease involving a  chemical imbalance at the junction of the nerve and muscle. Both the nerve and the muscle are healthy but the chemical imbalance causes muscle weakness. Symptoms vary depending on the muscles affected by the disease. However, common symptoms are muscle weakness with an inability to chew, swallow, and/or speak. Often the muscles of the eye are affected. This gives double vision and drooping eyelids. MG can affect everyone, but it is more common in women than men. It is sometimes seen in children. This is a world wide illness. While there is presently no cure for MG, it can be controlled with medications- (Mestinon, Steroids, Imuran) and/or surgery Thymectomy. MG can be difficult to diagnose as the symptoms can be intermittent. Careful medical management and patient involvement in the treatment usually result in optimal health and a comfortable life style.
Mission of the Myasthenia Gravis Association:
	To promote the better understanding of the physical condition   Called Myasthenia Gravis through: Educational and information programs Support services to improve the quality of life for MG patients and their families. The funding of research to ultimately result in the  elimination of Myasthenia Gravis
Services of The Colorado Myasthenia Gravis  Association:
	Publications of the illness are available. Videos of various seminars are available Seminars on subjects of interest to myasthenics are presented throughout the year by the Association Public programs on Myasthenia Gravis and other topics are presented by the Association. A support group meets each month. A newsletter is mailed quarterly. The Association maintains a web site. The Association is available to support and provide information to Myasthenia Gravis patients and their families and friends.
General  Governance:
	The Colorado Chapter of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation was established October 1973 and operated until June 1987, when it officially surrendered its charter and withdrew as an affiliate of the National Myasthenia Gravis Foundation. The Myasthenia Gravis Association of Colorado was formed in June 1987 and continually operated from said date until the present. The Myasthenia Gravis Association is a voluntary association, is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, and is administered by a volunteer Executive Director. The association has no paid staff; all officers, directors, and the Executive Director are volunteers. The Association is tax exempt under § 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Association's directors are:
	Sharon Leahy, Chairman Evening clinical Lead (Nursing Supervisor) Operating Room, Boulder Community Hospital William Johnson, Vice Chairman Electronics Technician specializing in Fire and Security Systems for Jefferson County School District Merna Gunnells, Secretary Laboratory Technician, Sate of Colorado ( Retired) Charter Member Roberta Johnson, Treasurer Nursing Supervisor, Gates Medical Clinic (Retired) Michael Homyak  Chief Administrative Law Judge of Colorado Public Utilities Commission (Retired) Charter Member Jack Kleinheksel Chief Staff Counsel, U.S. Courts of Appeals (Retired) Ann Wright Office Manager, Dental Practice Bernadean Gebow Secretary for Secretary of State (Retired) Teresa Hill Putnam Owner, Instructor, Spotlight Dance Studio

Home | What is MG? | Symptoms | Caring for MG | Treatments
Video Library | Living with MG | Other Organizations | Colorado Support Group

This site has been optimized for Internet Explorer 4 & 5 \ Netscape Navigator 4.x
and is best viewed at screen resolution: 800x600.