Myasthenia Gravis Association funding from Big Lottery

Myasthenia Gravis Association logo

Myasthenia Gravis Association is delighted that following substantial funding from the Big Lottery Fund the charity has now distributed over 1300 specialist interactive CD-ROM, information booklets and other materials to healthcare professionals in the Rochdale area.

The packs are designed to raise awareness of the rare muscle weakness disease Myasthenia Gravis. The pack will be sent to GPs, opticians, dentists and pharmacists in a bid to increase awareness of the auto immune disease and to help medical professionals to diagnose this potentially fatal illness.

The area in which the information packs will be distributed includes Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, Manchester and Salford.

The Bolton and North Manchester branch of Myasthenia Gravis Association says quicker diagnosis of the rare autoimmune disease will result in quicker diagnosis and accurate treatment for people suffering with Myasthenia Gravis and will subsequently help improve their quality of life.

Myasthenia Gravis affects all voluntary muscles and can cause disability and in extreme cases prove fatal. Around 1 in 10,000 people have this condition. There is no cure at present but there are treatments which can alleviate some of the symptoms.

Myasthenia Gravis often affects the eyes in the early stages of the disease and patients can experience double vision and some can experience difficulties when undergoing dental work.

Karl Parr, Chairman of the Bolton and North Manchester Branch said: “We’d like to thank the Big Lottery Fund for their kind support to fund this project. These information packs are an essential tool to help medical professionals recognise the early signs of MG and get the appropriate treatments and support more quickly”.