news
INSIDE: MEDICINE MATTERS BENEFITS FEEDBACK NEWS BRANCHES AROUND THE REGIONS
Spring 2014
Our NEW LOOK!
Tel: 01332 290219 Web: www.myaware.org Email: [email protected]
SUPPORTING PEOPLE AFFECTED BY MYASTHENIA
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2
EDITORIAL RUTH INGLEDEW
An Update from Ruth Ingledew MGA CEO
W
elcome to the new look Myaware news!
Since the members survey last year we
have been busy working on what you told us
about MGA. We took very seriously everything
you told us about our old name, the way we
look and the images and words we use. We
have been able to make these changes with the
benefit of a very generous donation from the
European Football Association (UEFA), made
possible by our Patron for the Republic of
Ireland, football legend Ronnie Whelan.
Word Association, a Leicestershire based
marketing and design agency with lots of
experience of working with organisations like us,
have been helping us with this. They worked with
our survey results and they got the green light to
go ahead with our ‘new look’ at a presentation to
our Trustees in January.
The biggest change is in the brand name of
the charity – Myaware represents people affected
by ALL kinds of myasthenia, and ‘fighting
myasthenia together’ covers our three core aims
of Research, Care and Education. The registered
name of the charity is still MGA.
This edition of Myaware News is the first
viewing of our new image as we start to roll out
the new look on all of our publications. A brand
new web site is also coming soon. We agree with
what you told us that this is an important part
of our service for those newly diagnosed with
myasthenia and hope that this will encourage
more of them to get involved with our charity.
We are planning local events across the UK and
Ireland so that our Regional Organisers can tell
you more about these changes and we will let you
know what is happening in your area soon.
We are all very excited about the new look, but
of course, we are still the same charity with the
same aims, ambitions, care and support as before.
We are also working on the particular Research,
Care and Education priorities that you told us
in the survey were particularly important to you.
We will keep you informed of progress in future
newsletters.
Ruth Ingledew
Myaware CEO
Meet the Derby Myaware Team
(Back Row)
Damien Pallett
Office Support
Jamie Caple
Accounts Manager
Richard Foster
IT Support
(Front Row)
Suzanne Molloy
Trust Officer
Jackie Thornhill
Office Manager
Ruth Ingledew
CEO
Joy Elliott Office Support
myaware news Spring 2014
Myaware News Spring 2014.indd 2
myaware.org
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ALAN STANLEY EDITORIAL
3
Message from the Myaware Chairman
D
ear Members. This is my first opportunity to write to you
following my election as Chairman of the charity. Let me
begin by saying that I was very pleased to be invited to stand for
selection as Chairman and to be elected to the role. Being able
to work with a charitable organisation is something I have long
wanted to do and the opportunity arose just when I am able to
commit the time to the role. My connection with the charity is
through one of the other trustees who has the condition so I
have been aware of its effects for over 30 years.
Since becoming Chairman I
have thought a great deal about
the challenges facing the charity
and the not for profit sector
generally. I have spent time
talking with Ruth Ingledew, our
CEO about the charity and met
with the support staff to hear
their views. In the next few weeks
I have arranged for Ruth and
me to meet with Professor Paul
Palmer who is a charity expert at
the Cass school of Business at
City University London. It is also
my intention to meet and speak
with all of the other trustees to
learn their opinions. The purpose
of this is to be able to draw
these views together so that a
development strategy for the
charity can be formulated. With
this in place the charity will be
able to shape its actions to better
support the members.
As you will have seen in this
issue, we have introduced a new
branding concept for the charity.
Working with advisers we have
developed this new style which
I believe gives us a fresh and
modern image.
We are also investing in
new systems to support the
organisation so that we can
improve our performance
particularly in the arena of fundraising as well as improving the
quality of members records.
I will write to you again with
an update on this work as it
progresses and look forward to
hopefully meeting some of you
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at the various regional events
that will be held during the
course of the year.
Finally may I thank you for
electing me as Chairman of the
Association.
Alan W Stanley
Myaware Chairman
Life with Art — Scotland
N
igel Marcel, secretary of the Lothian branch, shares
his art with members of the branch, they also enjoyed
coffee & cakes while chatting to others and sharing
experiences.
Life with Art will be touring throughout the UK in 2014,
please look out for venues and dates in your area on our
website www.myaware.org or contact your Regional Organiser.
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03/04/2014 17:07
4
MEDICINE MATTERS DR STUART VIEGAS
Introducing Two New
Friends
by Dr Stuart Viegas
N
ick Willcox has finally stepping down as a trustee of the
charity. We are very lucky that he has been replaced by
an excellent new Research Advisor, Dr Bethan Lang, and by an
equally excellent Neurologist on the publications committee, Dr
Stuart Viegas.
Dr Bethan Lang
Some of the older lags among
you may remember hearing Dr
Bethan Lang at MGA meetings
in Oxford in the 1990s, talking
about her ground-breaking
work on the Lambert-Eaton
Myasthenic syndrome (LEMS).
She grew up in Wembley in west
London and did her first degree
in Biochemistry at University
College London, moving onto
Imperial College to do a PhD on
the AChR and its biochemistry.
Then, in spring 1979, she joined
the rapidly growing MG research
team that had recently been
started by Profs John NewsomDavis and Angela Vincent, then
at the Royal Free Hospital in
Hampstead (until 1988).
By then, John had become
Mister MG-UK. So many
interesting patients got referred
to him for advice from all over
the UK as well as from Greece
and the Middle East. Some
turned out to have congenital
myasthenias, in which Angela
Vincent and David Beeson
took a special interest. A few
other patients had LEMS;
John noticed that they often
had thyroid disease or vitiligo
(patches of white skin like
Michael Jackson had), which
were then being recognised as
autoimmune. Guessing that the
LEMS might also be caused be
antibodies (as MG is), he tried
plasma exchange to wash away
the antibodies (often masterminded by Sister Eve Goodger,
of fond memory). To everyone’s
delight, these patients also got
stronger – though after a longer
delay (7 days or so) than those
with MG (2 - 3 days).
Not only were these
improvements good for the
patients: they also provided
Bethan with bags full of
plasma, from which she
isolated the antibody fraction
in large quantities. With a
great deal of hard work,
she then produced the final
proof that LEMS patients’
antibodies:- (a) attack the
nerve endings (rather than the
muscle receptors facing them);
(b) target calcium channels
there that trigger release
of the chemical transmitter
ACh; (c) also recognise similar
calcium channels on the lung
cancer cells that seem to be
immunising about half of the
patients; (d) can be detected
in a highly sensitive blood test
she developed (using a radioactive snail toxins which label
the calcium channels). All of that
laid firm foundations for giving
the patients immunosuppressant
drugs like steroids and
azathioprine, which are now
standard treatments for the
LEMS too.
Importantly for us, Bethan has
done a huge amount for several
other Charities; including the
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Myaware News Spring 2014.indd 4
Dancing Eye Syndrome Support
trust – which affects small
children who have an extremely
debilitating neurological
disorder, often associated with
cancer in these kids and which
leaves them with a lifetime
disability.
Bethan has many other
interests. At various times,
she has been:- a motor cyclist;
hockey goal-keeper, badminton
player and organiser of the
annual quiz at our Institute in
Oxford; a wife and mother – her
two daughters are now grownup, one who now works in the
diagnostic laboratory in Oxford.
She will always be:- a great
competitor; a staunch supporter
of QPR and any Welsh side in
any sport; an outstandingly
loyal team player in general.
One other key point:- Bethan
is extremely proud to be half
Welsh; whichever half it is, it
certainly includes her heart. So
you can see why we are so lucky
that she has agreed to help us.
Dr Stuart Viegas
After qualifying in medicine
from University College London
medical school, I first became
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03/04/2014 17:07
DR STUART VIEGAS MEDICINE MATTERS
fascinated by autoimmune
disorders of the nervous system
and myasthenia gravis following
a lecture in 2005 given by this
association’s late president,
Professor John Newsom-Davis.
I was fortunate to be appointed
in Oxford as a clinical research
fellow shortly afterwards and
spent four happy years there.
I worked in the laboratory with
Professor Angela Vincent, whilst
gaining clinical exposure under
the expert tutelage of Professor
John Newsom-Davis and Dr
David Hilton-Jones. This well
established path allowed me
to follow in the footsteps of a
number of esteemed Oxfordtrained “Myasthenia-ologists”
including Jackie Palace,
Marguerite Hill, Ian Hart, Paul
Maddison, Ashwin Pinto, Camilla
Buckley, John McConville and
Maria Farrugia.
The principal focus of my
research was to confirm that
the MuSK antibodies identified
by our group in 2001 were
responsible for a particular form
of autoimmune myasthenia. We
always believed this was the
case but some of our cousins
myaware.org Myaware News Spring 2014.indd 5
across the pond were slightly
more sceptical. I also helped
Isabel Leite and Angela Vincent
with the development of new
increasingly sensitive cell -based
assays that were able to detect
antibodies in a proportion of
the previously “seronegative”
group.
After completing my PhD,
I moved down to the Wessex
Neurological Centre in
Southampton before returning
to London to complete my
specialist training at Imperial
College and the National
Hospital for Neurology and
Neurosurgery “Queen Square”.
I started life as a Consultant
Neurologist in early 2013
and currently work in both
London and Dorset and have
maintained an ongoing interest
in myasthenia and related
disorders.
I have enjoyed working
5
alongside the charity in the UK
and Ireland over the last few
years and was honoured to be
asked by Professor Nicholas
“Nick” Willcox to step into his
famous sandals following his
retirement. His work on the
thymus gland and immune cells
in myasthenia gravis has greatly
enhanced our understanding
of the disorder and with over
100 papers he is well known in
academic circles both in the UK
and further afield. In addition
to his academic interests he has
remained a true friend to the
charity and I would like to take
this opportunity to thank Nick
on behalf of all the members for
his hard work and dedication
for more years than most of us
would choose to remember. You
will be sorely missed and please
enjoy your truly well deserved
retirement!
Dr Stuart Viegas, Spring 2014
Myasthenia
Benefits Service
By Steve Bradshaw, Benefits Officer
W
hen our life changes due to ill
health we often lose our ability
to do certain things and have to pay
others to help us.
Gardening, taxis and housework are all good examples. This
is when we should all look at the “benefits” that are available
to support us. Many people are put off by this word “benefits”
but try to think of it another way; Throughout our working lives
we pay National Insurance, by definition it is an insurance for
when life changes. It is no different to paying our car insurance
or home insurance, we pay a set amount to protect our assets,
for many years we never claim, but should an event occur which
damages or causes loss to those assets, then we do not think
twice about claiming. The same applies to the financial help
available for persons with life issues, health, employment, long
term sickness and disability. We have paid our premiums, our
contributions to the ‘National’ Insurance scheme, therefore we
are entitled to make a claim.
Make sure you get what you could be entitled too, contact
our benefits advice line: [email protected]
Steve Bradshaw, Spring 2014
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RETIREMENTS AND RAGDOLL AWARDS
6
Retirements
and Ragdoll Awards
S
ome of you will already be aware that Michael Morris stepped down as Chairman of our charity
and Nick Wilcox as Trustee at the 2013 AGM. Both Michael and Nick were awarded the Gold
Ragdoll Award after the AGM. The award is given to those who have given exceptional service to
our charity.
Michael Morris
Michael joined the Birmingham branch after
being diagnosed with myasthenia gravis eight
years ago and joined the board as Chairman
on 21st November 2009.
An accountant by profession he was a great
asset to the board as we sought to move
forward from the excellent achievements which
his predecessor Peter Finney helped to bring
about.
Recent years have been difficult times for
many charities but under Michael’s guidance
we have been able to expand our support to
members in our core areas of Research, Care
and Education.
Photo right shows Michael being presented
Professor Nick Willcox MA MB BChir PhD
Nick, joined the board as a trustee on 26
October 2002.
He qualified as a doctor in 1968 and did two
house-jobs. After 10 years basic research at Mill
Hill and Newcastle Medical School, Nick joined
the Myasthenia research team in London in
1979.
Moving with them to Oxford in 1988, he led
their work on the immune cells in myasthenia,
the thymus and thymoma, and on the genetics
of MG and LEMS, from 1979 until he retired in
2008.
Nick has spoken at many local, regional and
national myasthenia meetings, and organised
several biennial Medical Conferences at Oxford.
He wrote regular columns in our Newsletter,
and has co-edited the charities Information
Volumes 1, 2, 3 and 5. He was Research Advisor
to the Myasthenia Council / Board from 1997
until 2002 when he became a trustee of the
th
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Myaware News Spring 2014.indd 6
with his Gold Ragdoll Award by Charles Kodua
along with a lovely flower arrangement for
his wife Naomi in appreciation of her being a
trustee ‘widow’ on the Saturdays that meetings
took place.
charity. He also served on our publications and
research committees.
Photo left shows Nick being presented with
his Gold Ragdoll award by Michael Morris along
with a lovely flower arrangement for his wife
Pippa in appreciation of her also being a trustee
‘widow’ on the Saturdays that meetings took
place.
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SOPHIE MY JOURNEY WITH MYASTHENIA
7
My Journey
with
Myasthenia,
Twins and
Me!
Sophie with (back row) twins Nafissa and Rayid (front row)
twins Yakine and Maysa
M
y journey with myasthenia started in 1988, aged 26, after
seven years of symptoms I was finally diagnosed with MG
in Edinburgh by Prof. Sandercock (a huge thanks to the newly
qualified doctor that spotted it too!). The memory of this day
still generates a huge range of emotions and I truly felt my world
turning – I came out that day clutching a piece of paper with the
charity details on it which proved to be a real life line especially
for those early years of diagnosis.
I attended conferences,
read the leaflets and got to
know about myasthenia and
understand myself and how
to manage myself and the
condition. Emotionally it was
probably the most difficult time
just coming to terms with it and
thanks to my mum’s endless
patience in listening to me talk
for hours and to the charity for
all the sound information and
support they provided.
I had a thymectomy in 1990
and I continued to look for
The family with Imad
myaware.org Myaware News Spring 2014.indd 7
support from the charity for
advice on benefits – medical
exemption, DLA, medication
and from our specialist nurses.
In 2001 I gave birth to twins
by C section while living in Italy,
a girl and a boy called Nafissa
and Rayid. Obviously I had lots
of worries when I was pregnant
regarding the medication I was
on and if I was strong enough
to carry the babies and for the
birth. I sought lots of advice,
ate well and rested while still
keeping active as I could.
The pregnancy and birth
went well and like any new
parent adjusting to parenthood
was a real shock and I had to
really ensure that I ate well and
focused on the important things
(which did not include dusting!),
I love being a mum.
In January 2006 my husband,
Imad, the twins and I were back
in the UK and I gave birth, again
by C section, to our second set
of twins!! Boy and girl again,
Yakine and Maysa, a quite
wonderful surprise! We now
had four children under the age
of 5 years old! Over the years
I have learnt to ask for help,
make my situation as easy as
possible such as living next door
to school and home shopping
deliveries and not to sweat the
small stuff!
I continue to try my best to
manage the myasthenia rather
than it manage me – I don’t
always get the balance right but
my wonderful husband (tries to)
keeps me right! I am blessed
to have a full and happy life;
a wonderful family, interesting
work and am part of a great
community. I am soon to have
Ivig treatment again and I am
now dealing with the symptoms
of long term steroid use but I
am sure the charity will be there
every step of the way.
My older brother, Roger who
shall we say is not at the peak
of his fitness is training hard to
complete “ the Freedom Trail”
in July for the charity – please
if you can support him by
donating at www.justgiving.
com/Freedomtrail2014 to
help the charity carry on all the
amazing support and research.
Thank you to all my family
that make all the tough times
easier to bare.
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03/04/2014 17:07
8
MONOPOLY BOARD CHALLENGE
TAKE ON THE
MONOPOLY
BOARD CHALLENGE
SPONSORED WALK
Come and raise money for Myaware on
SATURDAY 21ST JUNE 2014
Teams of two will navigate their way around London to find all 26 streets
and stations made famous on the Monopoly Board, a distance of 14 miles.
For more information please contact:
[email protected] 01273 581087
[email protected] 01277 621643
www.myaware.org/monopolychallenge
Charity Registration Number: 1046443
Scotland SC044744.
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Myaware News Spring 2014.indd 8
myaware.org
03/04/2014 17:07
POEMS
9
SOMETHING
Do you have Myasthenia Gravis
Or have you never heard the name?
If you can spare a moment of your time
I’ll try and tell you and explain
It’s a condition that is not well known
And it is not easy to detect
Some doctors go through their whole career
Without seeing a suspect
It gets worse when you are active
And gets better when you rest
Simple things like eating food
Can put you to the test
You cannot chew or swallow
And your jaws, they get so sore
You wonder what is happening
When you can’t eat any more
The eyelids droop, it’s hard to smile
You start to see things double
To lift your arms becomes a task
That never gave you trouble
Simple things you did before
Never giving it a thought
Becomes a challenge to complete
And can tire you quite a lot
Like taking a shower - an easy thing
Is a chore you come to dread
When you haven’t even got the strength
To hold your hands above your head
If you have the will to take a walk
And meet a friend and try to talk
It’s difficult when your speech is slurred
When trying to pronounce a word
So, between the mind and muscle
There’s a breakdown that’s for sure
And up and till this moment
They haven’t found a cure
But I’m sure there’s people out there
Working very hard
Trying their best to alleviate
This condition that we have
So we need your understanding
And also the finance
To help those experts find a cure
And not leave everything to chance
We thank you now for reading this And
having the time to spare
Peace be with you all, whoever you are
We’re grateful that you care
Anon
myaware.org Myaware News Spring 2014.indd 9
PEOPLE AND PILLS
(Thoughts from my stomach)
Day by day – the stomach fills
Ever more, ever more
With varied shaped and coloured pills
In they go and jostle down
Ever more, ever more
Fruits of many a researcher’s frown
Each milli-globule must achieve
Quickly, quickly
Their lives’ purpose and then leave
That body in which they were inserted
Better, better, calmer, stronger
The next lot’s due in not much longer
Does it happen with no fuss?
No! Those pills are just like us
Calm and quiet on their own
But – crammed together – they are prone
To hustle, tussle, lash and stream
To tangle, wrangle, bash and scream
Who’s the sufferer? That poor body
Which the pills are meant to cure
Longs that they would push down fewer
14th June 2003 TJW
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10 OBITUARIES
Obituaries
Jean Jackets
It is with great sadness
that we received
the news of the
sudden passing of
Jean Jackets in early
December 2013. Jean
was 77 years old and
had myasthenia gravis
since 2009.
It was Jean’s wish,
backed by her family, that her organs were
donated for transplant which is typical of the
caring person she was, and also shows that
having myasthenia is no bar to the donation
of organs.
The charity gave Jean great support,
particularly the specialist nurses who were
very informed and a great comfort, and she
also made some small contributions to the
magazine with snippets of information.
During her funeral service £840 was
collected and was sent to the charity by her
husband John. Jean came from a large close
family and will be sadly missed by the family
and all who knew her.
MGA, Derby
George Watson
It is with much sadness that I have to inform
you of the death of George Watson from
Durham.
George and his wife Beryl played a major
part in the setting up of the first North East
branch in 1990.
George was the treasurer of the branch for
many years and was an enthusiastic supporter
of the charity. He will be fondly remembered.
Our thoughts are with Beryl, daughter
Stephanie and her husband Chris at this sad
time.
Jennifer Askew, Past Secretary
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Myaware News Spring 2014.indd 10
Margaret
McPherson
Scotland (North) Branch
It is with great sadness
that we have to report
the recent death of
Margaret McPherson
after 40 years of living
and coping with myasthenia.
Margaret organised a meeting to set up
the branch in 1978 and was a committee
member from the outset until she resigned in
2012.
During that time she and her various
members raised by way of jumble sales,
charity stalls and the 200 club to name
but a few over £80,000 for the charity. It
is fitting that her memory lives on through
the McPherson Club now run through Head
Office.
Ed: If you would like to join the McPherson
club in memory of Margaret or for more
information please contact Derby.
Margaret was always more than willing to
be the point of contact to give support and
encouragement to newly diagnosed people
with myasthenia and to chat with branch
members. She always was very positive and
dealt with her illness with cheerfulness.
Margaret will be sorely missed by the
branch members. Our condolences go out to
her husband Robert on his great loss.
Margaret Lamb, Past Chair
Durham, Tees and Wear Branch
Durham, Tees and Wear branch members
were saddened to hear of the deaths of
Lawrence Teasdale from Haswell and Albert
Day from Stockton on Tees.
We send our sincere condolences to their
wives and to all their families and friends.
Linda McDonald, Regional Organiser
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03/04/2014 17:07
FEEDBACK 11
Dear Editor,
cheques to the
Please find enclosed
r
collection held at ou
nd
value of £165 from a
2
e
th
lebrations on
Ruby Anniversary ce
November 2013.
(to the left of the
We have two friends
e
sthenia and therefor
photo) who have mya
e
g for donations to th
the reason for us askin
charity.
,
right) Mr Osgathorp
Photo shows (left to
r, Mr Fisher, Mrs
Mrs O’Riley, Mrs Fishe
’Riley.
Osgathorp and Mr O
nation goes some
We hope that this do
your work.
way to helping with
Yours faithfully
er, Cambridgeshire
Mr & Mrs Bert Fish
Dear Editor,
Please find enclosed a
cheque for the sum of £152
raised by our school following
our celebration at St Luke’s
church at the end of the
autumn term 2013.
The children and staff chose
to raise this money for your
charity as one of our pupil’s has
myasthenia.
We know that you will be
able to put these funds to
good use.
Yours faithfully
Lavender Primary School,
Enfield
myaware.org Myaware News Spring 2014.indd 11
Feedback
Dear Editor,
I was diagnosed wi
th myasthenia grav
is
in 2011 following ov
ernight developmen
t of
double vision. Afte
r an initial stay in ho
spital,
during which time
my symptoms were
thoroughly investig
ated, I was prescrib
ed
Pyridostigmine and
subsequently Prob
anthine
for severe cramp.
Because of various
personal concerns
which
arose later, I sought
the help and advic
e
of the
specialist nurses, in
itially in Southampt
on
and
more recently Glasg
ow.
These nurses are a
fountain of knowle
dge
and in my case, offe
red me really helpfu
l advice
and guidance in th
e respect of how to
ut
ilise my
medication to obta
in the best advantag
e. For
me they were abso
lutely brilliant.
Myasthenia is a cond
ition that few peop
le
are even aware of,
so to have someone
knowledgeable, to
offer practical advic
e, believe
me is absolutely in
valuable.
I have Cervical Spon
dylosis, also known
as
degenerative osteoa
rthritis, to contend
wi
th
, so
I am constantly jugg
ling with these two
he
alth
conditions.
Regards
G Nichol, Derby
Winner of our Send a Letter
from Santa! Prize Draw
The lucky winner of our ‘Send a Letter
from Santa’ prize draw is Denise Bingham
from Sheffield.
Denise won the No 7
Beauty Hamper kindly
donated by Boots Plc,
Nottingham.
Photo shows Barry
Gregory, Chair of
Yorkshire (South)
branch, presenting the
hamper to a delighted
Denise.
myaware news Spring 2014
03/04/2014 17:07
12 RE-BRAND
Help us celebrate
YOUR Charity Rebrand
You will have noticed YOUR
charity has a brand new
look which we are sure
you will help raise the
profile of the charity in a
positive and beneficial way.
Why not help with the promotion by
holding your own Tea Party with friends
and family. We can provide an exciting
FREE pack to help your party go with a
bang! The pack will include cake flags,
balloons, posters, invitation pack plus
much more!
OR
Why not join in with an organised Tea
Party in your own area. Branches and
supporters will be holding their own
events and all Regional Organisers will be
doing the same themselves.
For more information about events taking place in your area contact your
Regional Organiser (details can found in this newsletter) or contact Derby
on 01332 290219 for help and advice.
myaware news Spring 2014
Myaware News Spring 2014.indd 12
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BRANCHES 13
Branches support in your area
York Branch
Devon (South) Branch
Following a visit from Ron Middlemass, Chair
of the York branch, during Ocular Myasthenia
Awareness Month last year, the Old Town
Optometrists in Bridlington decided to support
the charity at the town’s annual Dickensian Festival
held on Sunday, 24th November. Both the owner,
Mrs Nicola Glover and Angela Steele, the Office
Manager, who organised a collection box for the
shop, and the stall on the day with tombola, bric-abrac and our charity merchandise for sale, raised a
total of £199.22.
The photo shows Angela
Steele in
Dickensian
costume
along with Ron
Middlemass,
who provided
many of the
prizes for the
tombola, and
Linda McDonald,
Regional
Organiser dressed as the Rag Doll. Ron says, ‘We
all worked very hard throughout a long, busy
day, and we enjoyed seeing the reindeer, Father
Christmas, the Town Crier and the Brass Band! We
are very grateful to Nicola, Angela and all the staff
at Old Town Optometrists for their support.’
On Saturday 4th January (one of the colder wet
days in the Southwest) members of the Devon
(South) branch gathered for a grand sale at
Shell Cove House.
Shell Cove has been host to many of the branch
events but has recently been sold. All the contents
of the holiday flats had to be sold and the owners,
very good supporters of our charity, decided that
everything should be donated to us enabling us to
hold the grand sale.
The gates were due to open at 10am but the
queues were stretching to the road and there was
a huge rush as the gates opened a little early.
At the close of the sale we were all a little weary
but felt that it had gone well and imagine our
surprise when at the final count we had in excess
of £2,800! Our grateful thanks go to the Jameson
family for their support over many years.
(Photo with kind permission of Michael Hopps, The
Studio, 110b Wadsworth Road, Kelleythorpe Ind
Estate, Driffield, East, Yorkshire, YO25 9DJ, 01377
338040 www.msh.co.uk)
Wales (South) Branch
On 15th February I
attended my final
meeting with the
Wales (South) branch. I
am sorry to be leaving
them but know that
Regional Organiser
Sarah Sanders who
will be taking over
from me is going to do a good job.
Photo shows Chloe Hobbs presenting me with a
lovely bouquet at my final meeting.
Rita Goldthorp, Regional Organiser
myaware.org Myaware News Spring 2014.indd 13
Somerset and West Dorset Branch
Collectively as a family, myself, my husband
Tony, daughter and son Emma and James, and
mum Evelyn, have raised £2,000 since April
2013 in memory of my stepdad Raymond
Annies, who passed away in October 2012.
In July we held a pub quiz and raised £342. In
August we arranged a bingo evening, which was
very popular, and made £339. Also in August we
held a car boot sale and raised £65.
Lastly in November we had a stall at Bridport
market and raised another £130. This money has
been added to the money already raised through
our other events earlier this year.
The money will help with the purchase of
a Cough Assist Machine for Poole Hospitals
myasthenia outreach clinic run by Dr Georgina
Burke. We would like to say a huge thank you
to everyone who helped us raise this amazing
amount so quickly.
Lyn Hatch, Bridport
Editors note: This was excellent fundraising Lyn we take this opportunity to note that the Dorset
(East) branch gave £500 towards the purchase of
the Cough Assist Machine.
myaware news Spring 2014
03/04/2014 17:07
14 AROUND THE REGIONS
AROUND THE REGIONS
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Midlands
North
Sarah Hindley
Linda McDonald
Tel: 07523 096930
Tel: 01325 308180
[email protected]
[email protected]
Hello everyone, I’m Sarah and I’m really thrilled to
It was lovely to meet members new and ‘old’ who
came to the Doncaster Support Group meeting in
January and thank you to our young member there,
Nicole Dunning for arranging the venue.
We also met lots of members both new and ‘old’
at the Life with Art events in Ripon last November,
and then in Grimsby and in Huddersfield in February.
We have also been offered the opportunity for
members, families and carers to take part in the Art
Workshops in Grimsby during the period 13th May
until 25th June. If you can commit to one two hour
workshop a week for four consecutive weeks please
contact Linda. Thank you to Dorothy and Richard
Mitchell for organising the Brighouse branch annual
Carvery Lunch which took place on Sunday 2nd
February at the Crow Nest Park Golf Club. Thank you
to Christine Holmes and her family and friends who
organised their first Coffee Morning for Durham
branch and raised more than £600 – an excellent
result!
Thank you to Durham Passport Office and
to Ponteland Rotary Club for their recent, kind
donations.
Congratulations to Ron Middlemass who has been
accepted to represent our charity as a Healthwatch
York Partner.
Our thanks go to Lesley Ellerby, Ashley Wright, and
Becky and Gavin Watts who have signed up to run the
Sheffield Half Marathon on Sunday 6th April and raise
funds for our charity.
The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge is on
Friday 15th August entry fee is just £25 and includes
free training walks. Or we have two guaranteed
places in the Leeds Half Marathon on 11th May and
in the Yorkshire Marathon on 12th October and
4 places in each of the Hull, Leeds and York 10k
runs. These are free to anyone who will run and raise
funds for our charity. Or sign up for the Awesome
Four-some (Zip Wire / Abseil / Powerfan / Bungee)
at the Abyss at Magna in Rotherham on Saturday 31st
May - a unique experience for thrill seekers, set in
semi darkness complete with music, video screens,
dry ice and effect lighting!
For more information about all the events please
visit www.myaware.org or contact Linda email:
[email protected] or 01325 308180.
have been appointed Regional Organiser for the
Midlands. Please feel free to get in touch by emailing
[email protected] or you can call me on
07523 096 930.
I’m looking forward to getting to know members
at Birmingham branch (next meeting date 17th
May), Lincolnshire Branch (next meeting TBC) and
Warwickshire Branch (next meeting 11th June) in the
coming months to find out more about members in
the Midlands, how I can support them and to see
how we can work together to support the charity.
The Myasthenia Network Midlands met on 20th
February to discuss fundraising activities for the
months ahead – including the Great Midlands Fun
Run on 1st June, an abseil from Walsall Art Gallery on
4th October and organising a pub quiz for the spring /
summer. We also had an interesting discussion about
alternative therapies and how some of these may be
able to ease the symptoms of myasthenia.
Myasthenia Network Midlands branch officers
(L to R) Alastair Mansfield, Treasurer, Jen
Cuthbert, Chair and Jon Rio, Secretary.
If you have any fundraising events you would like
to take part in, or have any ideas for events that
could be organised in the Midlands, do get in touch.
Please remember to keep spreading the word
about the charity amongst your family, friends and
colleagues – if you’re a member of a local community
or voluntary group within the Midlands and would
like a talk on Myasthenia let me know and I will be
happy to come along!
myaware news Spring 2014
Myaware News Spring 2014.indd 14
myaware.org
03/04/2014 17:07
AROUND THE REGIONS 15
North West & Wales
Sarah Sanders
Tel: 07804 775554
[email protected]
A big thank again, to St Andrews Church in Wigan
who have raised £200 from their coffee morning to
support the Wigan branch. The church and
St Andrews’ guides have raised nearly £600 for
the charity over the past few years.
Thanks to those of you who have been donating
your used printer cartridges to raise vital funds. If
you have used cartridges that you would like to
donation please contact us and we will send you
Recycle4Charity envelopes or a collection box!
Huge thanks to Lesley and Mel Smallwood and
their team of volunteers from
our Merseyside branch who
held a coffee morning in
Formby and raised a massive
£1,103.68. This included
match funding from HSBC
Bank which was organised by
Susan Culshaw – Thank you!
6th July 2014 will see the
return of the popular Abseil
South West
Rita Goldthorp
Tel: 01980 626062
[email protected]
The Somerset and West Dorset branch have
enjoyed some Nit and Natter sessions which have
resulted in them making items in their own time for
a craft sale. Several members of the branch renewed
their love of knitting and the men folk made
calendars from their favourite photographs
The Homemakers group of the Keynsham Baptist
Church have been busy fundraising all year for the
Bristol, Bath and North Somerset branch. At their
AGM in February they presented the branch with
cheques totalling £2,400 much to the delight of the
treasurer Sandy Harvey who was overwhelmed by
their generosity.
The Deer Park Hotel in Eckington Worcester-shire
was the venue for a wedding fayre in January and
instead of charging exhibitors a set fee they asked
for donations for the 3 Counties Branch. Imagine our
surprise when we received their donation of over
myaware.org Myaware News Spring 2014.indd 15
event at the Marquess of Anglesey column. Last
time this event took place our charity had a group
of 30 people taking part and this year we would like
to involve even more people. If you or anyone you
know would like to take part, registration fee is only
£40 and if you can commit to raising a minimum of
£150 you will get your registration fee completely
free of charge, please contact Sarah for more
information.
Branch meetings in the North West and Wales will
take place on the following dates:
Manchester North
Wales South
Lancashire
Bolton
Merseyside
Wales North
Thursday 15th May
Sunday 18th May
Wednesday 21st May
Thursday 29th May
Saturday 5th June
Saturday 12th July
If you haven’t
managed to see our
fantastic LifewithArt
exhibition yet, it will be taking place at a venue
near you in the next 12 months. You can find full
listings on our website: www.myaware.org. Please
come along a take a look at the work that has been
created by people with myasthenia, their relatives
and carers!
£700. Our thanks go to the organisers of the event.
The Freedom Trail – this exciting event, a walk
across the Pyrenees following the path of airmen and
refugees during the Second World War has been
taken up by two volunteers to raise funds for our
charity. Roger Wilson and Richard Ayling will both
be walking in July raising funds to support our work.
You can support them by making a donation quoting
their names and ‘Freedom Trail’ to the Derby office.
Tesco collections are ongoing and we are always
looking for volunteers to help us with these. There is
no need to stand – we always take our chairs along,
and people love to ask what Myasthenia is so we
have a chance to raise awareness. Despite dreadful
weather – we managed a few hours at Tesco Vale in
Exeter and raised nearly £65 followed in Blandford
with better weather (it did at least stay dry) when we
raised £188.
If you would like to make items at home for our
various sales – knitting, sewing, woodwork items all
acceptable, then do please contact Rita on 01980
626062. We thank Joan Herbert, Lyn Hatch, Jane
Goodchild and Hazel Hughes for their support with
these projects.
myaware news Spring 2014
03/04/2014 17:07
16 AROUND THE REGIONS
London &
East of England
Maria Martin
Tel: 01277 621643
[email protected]
What’s coming up?
Monopoly Board Challenge Sponsored Walk
21st June—Join us on this fabulous new event this
year, taking in all points on the London Monopoly
Board game. It will be a 14 mile sponsored walk in
teams of 2, making your way around the board using
the order given to you at the start. Using “selfies” to
prove that you’ve been to each point on the board,
and coming across a few “Chance” and “Community
Chest” stops to make it even more fun, this is a
sponsored challenge walk not to be missed! You
might even get sent to Jail! For more details and for
an entry form please contact Maria on 01277 621
643 or take a look at our website www.myaware.org/
monopolychallenge
Afternoon Tea Party Sunday 15th June
You may have seen the poster and note from our CEO
within this magazine about our exciting Tea Parties
helping to launch our fabulous rebranded charity.
With this in mind, we will be having an Afternoon
Tea Party in North London on Sunday 15th June.
South East
Steve Saunders
Tel: 01273 581087
[email protected]
Looking Back…
The seventh annual Eastbourne Santa Fun Run &
Walk took place on Sunday 1st December and was
once again an enormous success with 350 Santas
participating and raising a fantastic £15,000 for our
charity. Thank you and well done to all those taking
part and especially to the many helpers and volunteers
who helped make the event such a fun day.
The first Life with Art Exhibition in the South
East took place at Fareham in Hampshire on 5th
December and visitors to the exhibition were able
to view a splendid assortment of artwork created by
people with myasthenia, families, supporters and
friends. Thank you to the local branch who manned
the exhibition on the day.
We are very grateful to Dave Masters, Essex
Cricketer, and all of his testimonial committee, who
nominated our charity to be a joint beneficiary of his
Benefit Year in 2014. As a result we have received a
very generous donation of £1,000 to help with the
myaware news Spring 2014
Myaware News Spring 2014.indd 16
Details are all being finalised as we go to print so
take a look at our website for more information
or get in touch with the London (North & Central)
branch as they will be helping to run this event.
RideLondon Sunday 10th August
Now in its second year, this event offers a unique
opportunity to become part of cycling history and
we have 7 places to fill to take advantage to raise
money for our charity! Celebrating the legacy for
cycling created by London 2012, RideLondonSurrey 100 will start in the new Queen Elizabeth
Olympic Park, then follow the closed roads through
the capital and onto Surrey’s stunning country
roads and hills. The event is a perfect ride for club
& recreational cyclists. Slower cyclists can enjoy a
challenging ride while faster riders will relish the
opportunity to pit themselves against the country’s
top amateurs. Entry fee is just £50 with a pledge
to raise at least £1,000 for our charity. If you are
interested in a place, please contact maria.martin@
myaware.org
What’s been happening?
A Magical Musical Night of Disney
The second musical evening was another fabulous
success with 19 amazing singers straight from the
west end stage. The event raised over £1,000 and
both guests and singers were asking when the next
one would be! Keep an eye out for details for next
year’s event!
vital work. A whole series of cricketing based events
took place during 2013.
Our Thanet branch was delighted to receive
a donation of £3,000 in memory of the late Mrs
Patricia Walford. Daughter Carol said that the Thanet
branch had been such a great source of support and
help to her mother, who had MG, that she was very
happy to be able to make this donation to help the
branch continue with its valuable work in the area.
Not to be left out, our Berkshire branch received a
donation of £1,000 last year as a result of a funding
application to the Reading Dispensary Trust, again
to help continue providing support and care in the
Reading area.
Looking forward…
Our Regional Conference this year will take place
on Saturday 17th May 2014 at Maidstone.
Just Walk will take place on 10th May 2014 along
the South Downs Way with choice of 10k, 20k, 40k
or 60k
LiDBA Family Bike Ride at Liphook on Sunday 8th
June 2014
Onesie Fun Run & Walk along Bognor Regis
Seafront on Friday 11th July in the evening
Monopoly Board Challenge taking place on Sunday
21st June 2014 visiting all 26 streets and stations on
the Monopoly Board.
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03/04/2014 17:07
AROUND THE REGIONS 17
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Jan Beaumont
Lynn Stewart
Tel: 028 9146 2844
Tel: 01698 261752
[email protected]
[email protected]
BBC Radio Ulster Broadcast Appeal
Our charity continues to benefit from the BBC
Radio Ulster Broadcast Appeal. The appeal was
heard by approximately 150,000 listeners and
featured people with myasthenia, and medical
practitioners in Northern Ireland. In addition to
the wonderful coverage we were lucky to receive
donations totalling £525. This appeal is a wonderful
opportunity for our charity to raise the profile of
myasthenia and the support services on offer to
patients and carers. The radio appeal features Bill
Wolsey who presents the appeal and introduces
Joan Emery and Heather McCarroll who talks about
her son Tom. Their stories are very compelling and
really highlight the different experiences of people
with myasthenia and their families. The appeal
interviews can still be viewed online at www.bbc.
co.uk/northernireland/community/aac/appeals.
The BBC Appeals website features interviews with
John McConville Consultant Neurologist, Julie
McDowell Optometrist as well as Bill Wolsey, Rev
Jim Rea and John Coulter, who are affected by
myasthenia.
Please take this opportunity to go onto the
website and listen to the interviews.
Book Sale in Knotts of Newtownards and other
events!
We were delighted to raise over £400 for our charity
at a recent second hand book sale in Newtownards.
We even met a couple of people who wanted
more information about myasthenia! Sheree Brown
our new Belfast branch secretary is working hard
to encourage people to get involved whether by
coming along to one of our branch meetings or by
helping at forthcoming car boot sales or even by
taking part in an abseil. Please do contact Sheree or
Jan if you would like more information about events.
We plan to hold meetings in various venues across
NI to give more people the chance to come along
for a coffee and a chat.
Sheree Brown [email protected] or
Jan Beaumont [email protected]
Carnalea Golf Club Our charity is delighted to
announce that we have been chosen to benefit as
the Lady Captain’s Charity of the Year at Carnalea
Golf Club. Margaret Bailie, Lady Captain 2013 /
14 has chosen our charity because a member of
her family has myasthenia and it is a cause close
to her heart. Our charity will benefit from raised
awareness though events and also by some
fundraising as well.
Scottish Conference 2013
Dunblane Hydro was
the stunning venue
for this conference,
120 people attend
to hear Neurologist,
Dr Maria Farrugia
and Specialist Nurse,
Caroline Carmichael,
spoke about “Living
with Myasthenia”. The
grand total of £615.50
was raised at the
conference.
Photo shows a
cheque for £461.50 being presented to Lynn
Stewart by Greta Wilson and Christine McArthur
from a Bingo Night in Largs.
Strathclyde Branch Christmas Lunch
A very tasty meal was enjoyed by 50 guests at the
Strathclyde branch Christmas Lunch, thanks to
Awards for All Funding. There was much laughter
plus fundraising activities.
Lothian Branch Christmas Party
All those who attended had great fun pulling
crackers, wearing party hats, reading the jokes
and participating in a raffle plus of course great
food!
B&M Stores Linwood
Leaticia Sinclair led a team of volunteers and
raised the fantastic total of £262.91.
Rare Disease Day – Scotland
A reception was held in The Scottish Parliament
Building in recognition of Rare Disease Day, it was
very informative and encouraging to learn about
the progress in support of Rare Diseases.
IKEA
Glasgow
Two days of
collecting in
IKEA Glasgow
raised the total of
£396.27, we will
be returning to
IKEA Glasgow on
2nd and 3rd August, please come along to help and
support us.
Waitrose Byres Road, Glasgow donated £335
from their Community Matters Campaign.
myaware.org Myaware News Spring 2014.indd 17
myaware news Spring 2014
03/04/2014 17:07
18 AROUND THE REGIONS
Ireland
volunteer-ing to be part of the street team along
Karen Clancy
the route. Details can be found on our website at
Tel: 00353 65 6838270
[email protected]
Ronnie Whelan’s Walk 2014 Kicks Off!
May 30th – June 3rd
Ireland’s Patron of our charity, Ronnie Whelan started
his challenge walks in 2010 and has clocked up
over 400 miles around Ireland raising funds and
awareness for our charity and myasthenia.
In 2014 Ronnie will be joined by Mrs Brown’s
Boys, Danny O’Carroll and LOVE / HATE’s Laurence
Kinlan.
Laurence and Danny became involved with the
walk after they learned more about myasthenia
through Ronnie Whelan and pledged to help raise
awareness by taking part in the walk this year and
helping to raise as much money as possible.
Laurence and Danny will join Ronnie and a small
number of volunteers taking on the challenge of
walking from Donegal to Galway – just over 100
miles over the June Bank Holiday weekend.
We ask that people consider helping in any
way they can, through sponsorship or by
myaware.ie/walk2014
Keep up to date walk news and updates from
Ronnie, Laurence and Danny via the walk Face-book
page: facebook.com/ronniewhelanswalk
Online Shop Sale now on!
Only while stocks last all merchandise half price or
less… Tote bags, pens, keyrings and more!
www.myaware.ie/shop
2013 was a tough year for many charities in
Ireland, ours included. With less money to go round
and more people and organisations in need than
ever it’s hard to survive when you are so small.
So we want to take a moment to say a huge
THANK YOU to each and every one of you who have
donated, volunteered or helped us fundraise – we
can’t do it without you.
If you would like to support us on a regular basis
you can do so by using our standing order form.
There is no minimum amount – every Euro makes a
real difference to our charity.
Please contact us and we will get a form in the
post to you.
Ways you can help in 2014
Birthday / Anniversary
Quiz Night
Do you have a special birthday or anniversary this
Running your own quiz
year! If so why not ask for donations to your charity
instead of presents.
Hold a Dinner Party
night can be great fun.
Preparation will be the
key to the success of this
event.
Sell on eBay
Get rid of unwanted items
and raise money for our
charity.
Car Boot Sale
One man’s rubbish is
another man’s gold!
For help, advice or
Host your own dinner party have your family friends
further information contact
head office on 01332
over. Cook them a meal and ask them to make a
290219 or email info@
Donation to the charity.
myaware.org
myaware news Spring 2014
Myaware News Spring 2014.indd 18
myaware.org
03/04/2014 17:07
NEWS 19
Exciting Travel Insurance News from
Unique
Lottery Draw
Winners
You may be planning an Easter break away from it
all this year?
Winter 2013
Maybe you intend to enjoy more than one holiday over
the coming months? If so, it’s a great time to talk to Unique,
because we have now lifted all age restrictions on our annual
1st Mr S Marway, London £1,000
policies. Still with the same great benefits*…
2nd Mrs G Cardwell, Glasgow £350
OO Platinum and Gold levels, to vary your medical expenses
and cancellation and baggage cover
3rd Mr M Bickerstaff, Swansea £150
OO Quotes for 98% of people contacting us
OO Cover for the whole travelling party if required, so you
could be brought home together if any thing happened
- An online service with 5% discount, and live ‘web chat’
assistance - If you’re only looking at single trip cover this
time, as always they have no upper age limits either.
It’s part of your essential travel checklist to ensure that you
have the right insurance cover in place. None of us are able to
1st Mr R Newmans,
foresee anything unexpected, so allow Unique in partnership
with Myaware to hopefully provide you with some peace of
Hertfordshire
£75.00
mind.
2nd Mrs B Lane, Spalding
£45.00
Our travel insurance team has received training from the
charity, and in house ongoing coaching to assist with their
3rd Mr L Chambers,
understanding of Myasthenia and all pre-existing medical
Lancashire
£30.00
conditions and disabilities. They’re understanding and won’t
rush you through your call, talking through your individual
circumstances.
1st Mrs V Grundy, Sheffield £76.00
It’s not always easy to get insurance when you have a
condition,
and Unique are understanding and know what
2nd Mrs J Green, Louth
£45.60
they’re talking about, ensuring you feel no prejudice in that
3rd Mr S Cook, Plymouth
£30.40
situation - it shouldn’t be impossible to travel, it just means you
take extra care. The service was fantastic, and gave me peace
of mind.’ Lynda, East Sussex.
Have your own Unique experience and call the friendly team
1st Mr V Shah, London
£72.25
with that personal touch today, on 0800 519 0750. Remember,
2nd Mr G Wright, Berkshire £43.35
for every policy sold we make a donation to Myaware, and at
no additional cost to you. If there’s a specific time you have in
3rd Mrs M Doidge, Solihull £28.90
mind to talk to us, you can send an email to [email protected]
Congratulations to all the winners
with your details and we’ll get back to you.
Also for Life assurance, and Home and
Motor insurance - Find out more by visiting
Myaware receives a
www.myaware.org
donation for every policy
sold, at no extra cost to you.
*subject to underwriting criteria, terms and
conditions. Full travel insurance details and
We have worked with the Myaware and insurers, so that
all terms and conditions in policy wording,
those affected by myasthenia, and all pre-existing
medical conditions and disabilities, can access
available at www.myaware.org
comprehensive and competitively priced insurance.
Myasthenia Gravis Association is an
For more information please visit www.myaware.org
Alternatively, call the Unique team on
Introducer Appointed Representative of
0800 519 0750 (quoting Mynews).
Heath Lambert Limited. Unique is a trading
Opening hours: 8.30am - 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am - 1pm Saturday
name of Heath Lambert Limited, which is
authorised and regulated by the Financial
home insurance • motor insurance
Conduct Authority. Registered Office: The
travel insurance • life assurance
Walbrook Building, 25 Walbrook, London
Myasthenia Gravis Association is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Heath Lambert Limited. Unique is a trading name
EC4N 8AW. Registered Number:1199129
of Heath Lambert Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered Office: 9 Alie
Street, London, E1 8DE. Registered Number: 1199129 England and Wales. www.gallagherheath.com SD3342_A/24012012
England and Wales.
Name Prize Value
McPherson Draw
Winners
Draw November 2013
Draw December 2013
Draw January 2014
Unique insurance.
Partnerships that work.
myaware.org Myaware News Spring 2014.indd 19
myaware news Spring 2014
03/04/2014 17:07
20 INFORMATION
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
Myasthenia Specialist Nurses
Natalie James
The National Hospital
London
Lisa Joyce
Southampton General Hospital
Southampton
Caroline Carmichael
Southern General Hospital
Glasgow
Please contact Derby Head Office for
nurses contact details.
Benefits Officer
Email: [email protected]
Recycle your print cartridges and raise funds
for Myaware.
Recycle4Charity
Tel: 01273 400185
or email: [email protected]
Myasthenia Forum
Join our online community, where you will
find advice, information and peer support
24/7. Share your experiences and advice
with others. Ask questions and learn more
about myasthenia from fellow sufferers
from all round the world. Make new friends
without leaving your armchair. Start your own
blog about your experiences, read other
Myasthenics’ blogs. Chat online in real time
with your fellow MG forum friends. All this
and more available now.
Log directly onto www.myaware.org then
click on forum.
HelpLines:
UK: 0800 919922
Ireland: 1800 409672
We’re on the WEB
www.myaware.org
www.myaware.ie
Find us on Facebook
facebook.com/myastheniauk
Insurance for All of Your Needs
You may be aware that Heath Lambert have
been working with us for around 10 years
now and offer our members and supporters
insurance, including travel, house, life and
recently More 2 Life who are equity release
experts. Tel: 01603 828359
Receive our periodic
newsletter and get regular
updates about myasthenia,
events and news.
Just sign up at
www.myaware.org/newsletter
Myaware
The College Business Centre
Uttoxeter New Road
Derby DE22 3WZ
Tel: 01332 290219
Web: www.myaware.org
Email: [email protected]
The Association does its best to ensure that the
information contained in this newsletter and on its
website is as complete and up-to-date as possible at
the time of publication, but cannot accept any legal or
other liability
MGA is a Registered Charity No. England & Wales
1046443. Scotland SC044744.
Company Limited by Guarantee No. 3038358 (England)
Closing date for next edition:
Friday 6th June 2014
myaware news Spring 2014
Myaware News Spring 2014.indd 20
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03/04/2014 17:07