California Myasthenia Gravis (MG)
California Myasthenia Gravis (MG)
Support Groups Network
Support Groups Network
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A Holiday Wish for Our MG Family
As winter lights begin to glow,
We gather hearts the world may never know…
Warriors walking a delicate line,
With strength that’s quiet, brave, divine.
Myasthenia Gravis - a snowflake disease,
No two alike, no simple keys.
Each day brings questions, known and unknown,
Steps taken gently, often alone.
There are struggles unseen, fatigue that weighs,
Unpredictable moments, long, hard days.
Yet still you rise, you show up, you care…
With courage, patience, love laid bare.
To the caregivers, steadfast and true,
Your devotion shines in all that you do.
Your watchful eyes, your helping hand,
Your constant presence - so deeply grand.
This season, may health grow stronger within,
May nourishment restore, renew, begin.
May mindful meals and gentle rest
Support your body as you do your best.
May hope feel closer, may peace draw near,
May laughter visit, soft and sincere.
And may you know, through joy and through strain,
You are not alone on this journey you’re on.
From our support groups, hearts entwined,
We walk together - one step at a time.
Wishing you comfort, strength, and light,
This holiday season and every night.
With love and cheer
Happy Holidays,
Connie
(SoCal Group Leader)
Message from Our Group Leaders
Greetings! Welcome to our California Myasthenia Gravis (MG) Support Groups Network. We’re glad you’re here!
The California MG Support Groups Network is a community-based resource created to connect, inform, and empower people living with Myasthenia Gravis, as well as their caregivers and loved ones. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, managing symptoms, or supporting someone with MG, this network is here to help you find information, encouragement, and a sense of belonging.
This website brings together support groups content from across California, including regional chapters, event calendars, educational resources, shared stories, and opportunities to get involved. You’ll also find updates on local meetings, virtual gatherings, and statewide efforts aimed at raising MG awareness and improving lives. What started as a simple idea to make it easier for people to connect, share, and support each other has grown into a robust, evolving hub that serves MG Support Groups across California, including our vibrant Southern California chapters and our exciting expansion into Northern California.
Founded with heart and vision by Connie DiPasqua, and brought to digital life by Mike Stabile (website creator and administrator), this website is a labor of love, purpose, and community. We invite you to explore, get to know your local MG community, and contribute your voice. Together, we are stronger! This website is proof that, when dedicated volunteers come together with a shared goal, something truly useful and meaningful can take root and flourish.
Our Growth Journey
Our Growth Journey
What began as the Southern California MG Support Group and its dedicated website has expanded to include new chapters in San Francisco, San Diego, and most recently, Sacramento-Sierra, forming a united, statewide network of care. Together, we’re growing a vibrant, evolving resource to support everyone affected by MG.
Explore Our Network
Explore Our Network
Our drop-down menus at the top of our website offer links to:
• 📚 Articles, Reports & Publications, from across the internet, on MG topics that matter
• 🌐 Trusted MG and Health/Medical Organizations
• 🛠️ Practical Resources & Tools for MG individuals and caregivers
At the top and bottom of this page, and also in the Group descriptions below, you’ll find links to the four support groups' homepages.
From All of Us to All of You
From All of Us to All of You
This site is for you, and built by people like you — people who care, people who are always there and people who believe in the power of connection. The group thrives because of those who never fail to be present, offering their time, energy, and love. We’re so glad you’re here! Welcome home. 💛
Questions about the site? Need technical help? Have an idea? Contact Mike Stabile, Website Administrator, at: mgsocalgroup@gmail.com
Disclaimer: This website is volunteer-driven and is a collection of resources, articles, and links, and is not sponsored by the MGFA. It is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website or other linked websites.
- BEST VIEWED ON DESKTOP/LAPTOP COMPUTERS. On phones, use landscape mode for better viewing. Most underlined phrases and words are clickable web links.
- Hovering over a heading or subheading will reveal a link symbol on the right side that you can click to copy in order to save that page section as a separate browser bookmark or web link.
- The Google search function at the top will only list the page or pages on this site that contain(s) your search term. Once you choose a page, use Ctrl-F on your keyboard and enter a word or phrase into a small box (near the top) that's unique to your search. (Works on most apps, BTW.)
- Be sure to check the ARCHIVES, too. Their content is only slightly older than that found on this home page.
Our California MG Network's Support Groups
Our California MG Network's Support Groups
☀️ Southern California Support Group
Connecting the dots between our chapters with warmth and wisdom. Not near one of our local chapters? You’re not alone. The Southern California MG Support Group covers the wide spaces in-between Orange County, the Inland Empire, Los Angeles County, and beyond. We offer Zoom-based support, regional meetups, and access to statewide resources for anyone who needs a place to land.
Serving Central and Southern California regions outside our established hubs.
Contact: Connie DiPasqua mgsocalgroup@gmail.com
🌴 San Diego Support Group
Our newest Southern California MG stronghold, building community from the coast to the canyons. This chapter is all about connection, compassion, and community care. With monthly gatherings, peer-led discussions, and evolving outreach, the San Diego group is quickly becoming a go-to resource for Southern Californians in need of support.
Serving San Diego County and surrounding areas.
Contact: Andrea Divis MGSanDiegoGroup@gmail.com
🌉 San Francisco Support Group
Rooted in community and advocacy, our San Francisco Bay Area group brings together MG individuals and families with a shared experience and a commitment to supporting one another. Join us for monthly meetings, educational speakers, resource sharing, and a space to be seen and heard.
Serving San Francisco, the Peninsula, East Bay, and surrounding areas.
Contact: Jessica Milanes mgwarriorssf@gmail.com
Go To San Francisco Group Homepage
🏞️ Sacramento–Sierra Support Group
Expanding support through California’s capital and foothills. This growing group offers connection, guidance, and understanding to those navigating their MG journey in the Sacramento region and Sierra Nevada communities. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, a long-time member, or a caregiver, you’ll find an open and welcoming circle here.
Serving Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado counties, and beyond.
Contact: Jill Williams mgsacsierra@gmail.com
➡️ Newly Diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis? Click Here First ⬅️
Don't forget to return! 🙋
Also see "What is Myasthenia Gravis?" on this website
Selected Upcoming MG Virtual (Zoom) Support Group Meetings of Interest
Selected Upcoming MG Virtual (Zoom) Support Group Meetings of Interest
Anyone anywhere may join any meeting and all are free. Listed chronologically.
ZOOM BEGINNER'S GUIDE / Also: ZOOM 101
Virtual Meetings info for MGFA-sponsored MG support groups can also be found on the MGFA website.
To list your MG Support Group virtual meetings here, or if you know of other informative and helpful virtual MG support group meetings to include in this list, then please email us at mgsocalgroup@gmail.com.
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Sacramento-Sierra MG Support Group - Saturday, January 3, 10:00 a.m. (pacific) - ZOOM (for all Saturday meetings)
Topic: tbd Host: Jill Williams. Meetings are monthly on the 1st Saturday, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Upcoming meeting dates in 2026: Feb 7, Mar 7, Apr 4, May 2, Jun 6, *Jul 11, Aug 1, Sep 5, Oct 3, Nov 7, Dec 5
San Francisco Support Group - Sunday, January 4, 10:00-11:30 a.m. (pacific) ZOOM
Topic: Open group discussion
Questions: contact Jessica Milanes at mgwarriorssf@gmail.com
Georgia MG Support Group - Monday, Monday, January 5, 3:30-5:00 p.m. (pacific) ZOOM
Topic: tbd
Our meetings are the first Monday of the month except for July and September. Upcoming dates:
For questions, contact Alexis Rodriguez at mggatalk@gmail.com / MG Georgia website
Southern California Support Group - Saturday, January 10, 9:00-11:00 am (pacific) - ZOOM (for all 2026 dates)
Host: Pam Davies Topic: Share & Care
Meets 2nd Saturday of each month. Email: mgsocalgroup@gmail.com
Future meeting dates: 2026: Feb 14, Mar 14, Apr 11, May 9, June 13, July 11, Aug 8, Sept 12, Oct 10, Nov 14, Dec 12
Solo Seniors MG Support Group - Wednesday, January 14, 10:00 a.m. (pacific) - ZOOM (for all meetings)
Topic: tbd
Upcoming meeting dates: 2026: Jan 14, Feb 11, Mar 11, Apr 8, May 13, Jun 10, Jul 8, Aug 12, Sep 9, Oct 14, *Nov 4, Dec 9
Sacramento-Sierra MG Support Group - Tuesday, January 20, 7:00 p.m. (pacific) - ZOOM (for all Tuesday meetings)
Topic: Katherine Hutchings, a Speech and Language Pathologist, will discuss dysphagia, respiratory muscle strength training, and cough strength, and how to integrate speech therapy and speech strategies into your MG treatment plan. Share & Care will follow.
Host: Jill Williams. Meetings are monthly on the 3rd Tuesday, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Upcoming meeting dates: 2026: Jan 20, Feb 17, Mar 17, Apr 21, May 19, Jun 16, Jul 21, Aug 18, Sep 15, Oct 20, Nov 17, Dec 15
Phoenix Monthly Support Group - Tuesday, January 27, 4:00 p.m. (pacific) ZOOM tbd - Led by Kim Vigil
Topic: Share & Care
Future meetings: Every month (except December) on the last Tuesday of the month at 5:00 PM AZ time (& Pacific during DST)
San Diego Support Group - Tuesday, January 28, 6:00 pm (pacific) - ZOOM (for all meetings)
Topic: Surviving the Holidays
Meets 4th Wednesday of each month. Led by Andrea Divis. Email: mgsandiegogroup@gmail.com
Future meeting dates: 2025:
Seronegative Support Group - Contact: snmggroup@gmail.com for more information.
Currently Unscheduled (date and/or Zoom link are "tbd")
Conquer MG - ANYWHERE MG Virtual Support Group - Thursday, tbd, Noon-1:30 pm (pacific) ZOOM (for all 2026 dates)
2026 Meeting Schedule: tbd These meetings are open to all MG patients and caregivers, held monthly on the 2nd Thursday, Noon-1:30 pm (pacific)
Contact info@myastheniagravis.org to receive email notices of virtual meetings and other Conquer MG news.
Here is the List of Conquer MG Support Groups.
YouTube recordings of previous Conquer MG meetings
MGA - MUSCLE MAKERS- Wednesday, tbd, Noon (pacific) - ZOOM
A virtual community for individuals with MG to bring your hobbies to life. A reoccurring monthly group for casual conversation while crafting. Bring your craft and creativity to your screen and connect with others.
MGA Support Group Monthly Meetup - Monday, tbd, 4:30-6:30 p.m. (pacific) - ZOOM
Topic: tbd
MGA - Educational Webinar- Thursday, tbd, 3:00- 4:00 p.m. (pacific) - ZOOM-tbd
Topic:
MGFA Virtual WEBINAR - tbd - ZOOM-tbd
Topic: tbd
MGFA Research Webinar Series - Tuesday, tbd , tbd (pacific) REGISTER-tbd
Topic: tbd
Miastenia Gravis Grupo Internacional de Apoyo (Virtual International Spanish MG Support Group) - tbd, 1:00 p.m. (central) - Contact Leah Gaitan-Diaz at lamgchampions@gmail.com for Zoom Registration.
Meetings will be on the second Saturday of the month, every other month, starting at 1:00pm (central time).
Future meeting dates: tbd. Info: HERE is an article about this support group.
Myasthenia Gravis Association (MGA) Wellness WEBINAR - Tuesday, tbd, 10:00 a.m. (pacific), ZOOM
Topic: tbd
YouTube recordings of previous MGA virtual webinars are available HERE.
MGA Calendar of Events (including virtual meetings)
PNW MG Support Group - Thursday, tbd, 6:00 pm (pacific) - ZOOM tbd
Topic: Coping Emotionally
Meets 3rd Thursday of each month. Led by Cindy Streltzov, email pnwmgsg@gmail.com for details.
Stanford MG Virtual Support Group Meeting - Tuesday, tbd, 5:30 p.m. (pacific) - ZOOM tbd
Topic: Updates from MGFA and AANEM 2025
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Note: Caregivers Support Group was discontinued.
FDA Approves Uplizna: A Twice-Yearly Targeted Therapy for Adults With Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (WebMD) The first FDA-approved treatment for gMG that specifically targets CD19-positive B cells, for for either anti-AChR or anti-MuSK antibodies
2025 MGFA Scientific Session at AANEM (MGFA) Select recordings from the MGFA Scientific Session – along with other innovative research presentations
Treatment Decisions in MG Care Survey Link Regeneron is studying the lived experiences of those living with Myasthenia Gravis (MG) and their caregivers. They will compensate you for your time and insights with a $50 gift card.
🔥 This video is one of the most informative discussions about nutrition I've ever seen. Dr. Pradip Jamnadas, a world-renown cardiologist, discusses fasting, processed foods, supplements, eating, what causes heart disease, insulin, ketones, calcium supplements, gut microbiome, and many other subjects, all of which can contribute to, or mitigate, Heart Disease. I have a Masters Degree in Physiology and studied biochemistry, and I found nothing in his presentation that was incorrect. This is my most highly recommended video ever on nutrition. Mike Stabile
New Blood Pressure Guidelines Announced
"In August 2025, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology released new guidelines on prevention and management of hypertension, based on a comprehensive analysis of literature published over the past 10 years."
From the article, here are the new guidelines:
Brain & Life Magazine has released their Summer 2025 Myasthenia Gravis Special Issue. Click the link to read the entire issue! If you subscribe to the (free) magazine hardcopy you likely already received it in the mail.
On September 12 the Myasthenia Gravis Association had a presentation by neurologist Dr. James Howard on the subject of Vaccines and Myasthenia Gravis. Dr. Howard covered nearly every aspect of the effects of vaccines on MG, and vice versa. This is a perfect case of, the more you learn and know, the better decisions you make. An example is the significant number of MGers who think that certain vaccines can cause MG or increase the risk of making their MG worse. The information that Dr. Howard presents will counter the misinformation you might come across in the MG world that comes from other misinformed MGers, or conclusions reached from experiencing their own body's reaction to a vaccine. Here is the presentation:
Medicaid and the Path Forward (MDA Advocacy Institute YouTube video) Presentation about OBBB's tremendous upcoming changes to federal/state government health insurance (Medicaid, ACA and Medicare). These changes will likely affect most MGers. In my opinion, it is vital that all of us who rely on government health insurance (especially Medicaid) stay updated and prepare to enact our own contingency plans for mitigating these changes in our health insurance coverage. (Mike Stabile, Website Administrator)
(P.S.: Note that most changes won't be implemented until after the 2026 mid-term elections.)
...Threats to Research and Drug Development (MDA Advocacy Institute - YouTube video) Excellent review of how the OBBB will dramatically affect rare disease drug development. Although this presentation is by the MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association), nearly all subjects discussed will equally affect Myasthenia Gravis drug development.
🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
Health Provisions in the 2025 Federal Budget Reconciliation Bill (KFF) A complete and VERY detailed source of everything known about the new OBBB health care laws being implemented by your federal government. It covers Medicaid, ACA, Medicare and HSA.
One Big Beautiful Bill Law Summary (astho) Summary of the article above.
🔥 Gabapentin users may face 85% higher cognitive impairment risk (Medical News Today)
I've periodically heard MGers in various MG Support Group zoom meetings mention that they use Gabapentin. Besides this drug being on at least one MG Cautionary Drugs list, this article discusses a new study that found another factor (# of doses) about using this popular and frequently prescribed pain reliever. (Mike Stabile, Website Administrator)
Go To ANNOUNCEMENTS ARCHIVE
MG NEWS
MG NEWS
(go to News Archive)
Myasthenia gravis following statin therapy: evidence from target trial emulation and self-controlled case series study (NIH) The potential risk of myasthenia gravis (MG) following statin therapy
MG-specific treatments needed for older patients, researchers say (myasthenia gravis news)
New enzyme may disarm antibodies driving myasthenia gravis (myasthenia gravis news) Found by group member Frank Morrow.
Complement Inhibitors in Generalized Myasthenia Gravis: Comparison of Administration Schedules, Efficacy, and Safety (Journal of Clinical Medicine)
Rese-cel clinical trial results for myasthenia gravis expected in 2026 (Myasthenia gravis news) Study testing B-cell–targeting therapy as potential MG treatment
Correlation of C-Reactive Protein With Severe Fatigue in Patients With Myasthenia Gravis (Scilit) "Our findings suggest that chronic low-grade inflammation, mediated by CRP (C-reactive protein), contributes to the pathogenesis of fatigue in MG.
Platelet activation plays a pro-inflammatory role in myasthenia gravis (nature communications) From the article: "our investigation pioneers the examination of platelet involvement in the mechanism of MG. We elucidate the pivotal and previously unexplored role of activated platelets as central contributors to MG pathogenesis, particularly through the mediation of Th cell inflammatory responses. Our innovative findings reveal that PNAs and cytokines from activated platelets hold promise as innovative biomarker candidates for the development and prognosis of MG."
🔥FDA grants orphan drug designation to CNP-106 for gMG (Myasthenia Gravis News) This is the COUR Pharmaceuticals treatment that reprograms the immune system to recognize acetylcholine receptors as friendly and not make antibodies to attack it (the cause of gMG).
Go To NEWS ARCHIVE
2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Awarded for Discoveries of How the Body Puts the Brakes on the Immune System (Scientific American) A promising look at treating autoimmune disorders like myasthenia gravis
Top 10 MG news stories of 2025 (myastheniagravisnews.com)
What Is the Connection Between Pain and Myasthenia Gravis? (myasthenia-gravis.com) Interesting article. MG is not known to directly cause pain, yet a large portion of MGers experience regular pain.
Pioneering RNA Cell Therapy for Autoimmune Diseases (YouTube) Video presentation on the ongoing Phase 3 trial of Descartes-08 in MG (AURORA).
America’s family caregivers face crushing financial toll (Axios; AARP) "Family caregivers pay thousands out of their own pockets every year to help older loved ones live independently. Add rising prices, and many are at the tipping point."
Do you subscribe to HULU streaming service? If so, there's a documentary film that might interest you : "Through My Eyes". It's a 26-minute look at how a man, who manifested MG at an early age, copes with his disease as he takes us on a cultural tour of some lesser-known parts of NYC.
How Infusion Therapy is Changing Neurologic Treatment and Patient Outcomes (Brain&Life) Interesting article about Infusion Therapy, a treatment method used by many MGers.
How to Safely Manage Taking Multiple Medications (Brain&Life)
Go To ARTICLES ARCHIVE
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