MGFA patient conference highlights wellness education, science
More than 500 patients, community members expected
More than 500 members of the myasthenia gravis (MG) community are expected at a conference featuring strategies for patient education, advances in science and treatment, and discussions on managing MG.
The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA)’s National Patient Conference, being held March 30-April 1 in Phoenix and virtually, is free for patients, caregivers, and family members, and includes interactive workshops, question-and-answer sessions with researchers and clinicians, and networking opportunities.
“There is so much new information to share at this year’s MGFA National Patient Conference, and bringing the MG community together in such a powerful way will positively impact how patients and their families navigate this disease in the future,” Samantha Masterson, president and CEO of MGFA, said in a foundation press release.
MG is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system makes self-reactive antibodies that interfere with the normal communication between muscles and nerve cells, ultimately leading to the MG symptoms of muscle weakness and fatigue. Treatments are available to help manage the disease, but they don’t work for everyone, and so far there is no cure for MG. The life-altering condition impacts more than more than 90,000 people in the U.S., according to the MGFA.
Wellness education, pet therapy
The annual MGFA National Patient Conference is the largest single gathering of people in the MG community, according to the foundation.
This year’s event began with a resource fair, followed by the opening of “experience rooms” for patients to learn about topics including pet therapy, adaptive yoga and healthy eating, the foundation said.
The conference’s second day featured a welcome address from Masterson, followed by the conference’s keynote speech from Kevin O’Connor, PhD, a professor at Yale School of Medicine, who discussed the mechanisms underlying different types of MG. The conference also featured discussions about treatment options for MG and legislative activism, as well as a panel discussion about shared decision-making in MG care.
The schedule for the last day of the conference includes discussions about navigating challenges with MG and understanding the patient journey, as well as tips on how to exercise. Motivational speaker David Jack will offer closing remarks.
“Our program this year includes a truly compelling mix of new treatment updates, strategies for improving quality of life, and helpful methods of advocating for patient needs,” Masterson said. “We are so proud to host this extremely impactful event every year.”
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