California Myasthenia Gravis (MG) Support Groups Network
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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.
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.
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.
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.
☀️ 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
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, October 4, 10:00 a.m. (pacific) - ZOOM (for all Saturday meetings)
Topic: Guest speaker Maryjo Prince-Paul, from Alexion will present the topic, "Having Productive Conversations with your Health Care Providers." Host: Jill Williams. Meetings are monthly on the 1st Saturday, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Upcoming meeting dates: Nov 1, Dec 6; 2026: Jan 3, 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 - Monday, October 5, 10:00-11:30 a.m. (pacific) ZOOM
Topic: tbd
Upcoming meetings:
Sunday, Nov 2 at 10:00-11:30 a.m. (pacific) - ZOOM
Sunday, Dec 7 at 10:00-11:30 a.m. (pacific) - ZOOM
We (usually) meet about every 6 weeks on Sundays from 10:00 to 11:30 AM (pacific). Questions: contact Jessica Milanes at mgwarriorssf@gmail.com
Georgia MG Support Group - Monday, October 6, 3:30-5:00 p.m. (pacific) ZOOM Topic: Disability attorney Russell Keener
Our meetings are the first Monday of the month except for July and September. Upcoming dates: tbd
For questions, contact Alexis Rodriguez at mggatalk@gmail.com MG Georgia website
🔥NEW Solo Seniors MG Support Group - Wednesday, October 8, 10:00 a.m. (pacific) - ZOOM (for all meetings)
Topic: Navigating life with MG as a senior living independently
Upcoming meeting dates: Nov 12, Dec 10; 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
Conquer MG - ANYWHERE MG Virtual Support Group - Thursday, October 9, Noon-1:30 pm (pacific) ZOOM (for all 2025 dates)
2025 Meeting Schedule: Nov. 13, Dec. 11. 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
Southern California Support Group - Saturday, October 11, 9:00-11:00 am (pacific) - ZOOM
Topics: Share&Care. Led by Scott Hazel.
Meets 2nd Saturday of each month. Email: mgsocalgroup@gmail.com
Future meeting dates: 2025: Nov 8 (CANCELED), Dec 13; 2026: Jan 10, Feb 14, Mar 14
Sacramento-Sierra MG Support Group - Tuesday, October 21, 7:00 p.m. (pacific) - ZOOM (for all Tuesday meetings)
Topic: tbd Host: Jill Williams. Meetings are monthly on the 3rd Tuesday, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Upcoming meeting dates: Nov 18, Dec 16; 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
Myasthenia Gravis Association (MGA) Virtual MONTHLY MEETUP - Monday, October 27, 4:30-6:30 p.m. (pacific) - ZOOM
Topic: Navigating Your Path: Living and working with chronic autoimmune disease
San Diego Support Group - Tuesday, October 28, 6:00 pm (pacific) - ZOOM (all meetings)
Topic: Meal Planning/Prep
Meets 4th Tuesday of each month. Led by Andrea Divis. Email: mgsandiegogroup@gmail.com
Future meeting dates: 2025: Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23
Miastenia Gravis Grupo Internacional de Apoyo (Virtual International Spanish MG Support Group) - November 9, 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.
Currently Unscheduled (date and/or Zoom link are TBD)
MGA - MUSCLE MAKERS- Wednesday, tbd, Noon (pacific) - ZOOM-tbd
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.
MGFA Virtual WEBINAR - tbd - ZOOM-tbd
Topic: tbd
MGFA Research Webinar Series - Tuesday, tbd , tbd (pacific) REGISTER-tbd
Topic: tbd
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)
MGA - Educational Webinar- Thursday, tbd, 3:00- 4:00 p.m. (pacific) - ZOOM-tbd
Topic:
Phoenix MGFA Monthly Support Group - Tuesday, October 28, 5:00-6:30 p.m. (pacific) ZOOM-tbd - Led by Kim Vigil
Topic: Dr. Kemar Green, Neuro Ophthalmologist - Advancements in AI for MG
Future meetings in 2025: Every month (except December) on the last Tuesday of the month at 5:00 PM AZ time (& Pacific during DST)
PNW MG Support Group - Thursday, August 21, 5:30 pm (pacific) - ZOOM-tbd
Topic: tbd
Meets 3rd Thursday of each month. Led by Cindy Streltzov. Email pnwmgsg@gmail.com for details.
Seronegative Support Group - Contact: snmggroup@gmail.com for more information.
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Note: Caregivers Support Group was discontinued.
MG Walk Southern California
Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
Miles Square Park
16801 Euclid St.
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
🔥 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)
How To Find the Right Medical Rehab Services (KFF Health News)
Related: Even Grave Errors at Rehab Hospitals Go Unpenalized and Undisclosed (KFF Health News)
Adaptive yoga session (Video) (MGFA) This adaptive yoga session was presented for the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) Southern California Support Group. This session is part of the Breathe Move Thrive program — a yoga and mindfulness experience intentionally designed for the neuromuscular community, including those living with Myasthenia Gravis.
Patients and Their Loved Ones Find New Roles as Advocates After Diagnoses
The Benefits of Group Exercise for People with Neurologic Disorders
What Are Steroids, and How Do They Work?
Brain&Life Magazine is published quarterly by the American Academy of Neurology for the lay person and is always full of interesting articles regarding neurology and the brain. Best of all its hard copy version is FREE and mailed to you! Their website has all of their content and a page where you can subscribe to the free quarterly magazine. I highly recommend it.
Go To ANNOUNCEMENTS ARCHIVE
(go to News Archive)
🔥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).
CAR T-cell therapy in autoimmune diseases: a promising frontier on the horizon (Frontiers Immunology) Comprehensive review of current treatments in autoimmune diseases and the promising developments in CAR T-cell therapy.
Cemdisiran Looks Promising for Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (MPR) "Treatment with cemdisiran was associated with a statistically significant improvement in MG-ADL total score compared with placebo."
Immunological Targets in Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Treatment: Where Are We Going Now? (SciProfiles) Refractory-MG patients are among the most difficult to treat, despite recent advances in gMG treatments. "This review aims to synthesize current knowledge of the immunopathological mechanisms across gMG subtypes and to explore emerging therapeutic targets tailored to these diverse disease phenotypes."
Study IDs possible ‘off switch’ for overactive immune response in MG (Myasthenia Grvis News)
Most adults do not plan on getting COVID-19 shot amid vaccine policy changes (The Hill) All the more reason MGers should consider getting vaccinated. The more unvaccinated people there are, the more likely you'll be exposed. most of us on MG meds have compromised immune systems.
‼️gMG patients can carry treatment resistant autoantibodies, study finds (Myasthenia Gravis News) "People with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) can carry certain types of self-reactive antibodies — proteins that mistakenly target the body’s own cells and tissues — that drive the disease but are treatment resistant, according to a new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers." Here is the original research article
Myasthenia gravis and nutrition (Frontiers in Nutrition) An important subject rarely discussed in the MG community.
Go To NEWS ARCHIVE
Nanotechnology Breakthroughs in Autoimmune Disease Treatment (Global Autoimmune Institute)
Here is a video series of MG subjects discussed at a recent Neurology Live conference:
(NOTE: This article will remain at the top until Autumn, due to its importance to MGers. Most of the articles below are newer.)
Most MGers can be particularly sensitive to heat. We are in the hottest period of the year. Here are some articles that suggest ways to understand and beat the heat.
Why heat makes myasthenia gravis worse and what you can do (Myasthenia Gravis News)
How to stay safe during heat waves – and heat stroke warning signs to watch for (The Conversation)
Planning to be outside on a hot and humid day? Take these precautions (NPR)
Heat waves linked to adverse health outcomes for seniors (MedicalXpress)
How to Keep Your Home Cool in Extreme Heat (Scientific American - subscription might be required)
🔥15 Medications and Supplements That Can Be Dangerous in Hot Weather (Verywellhealth)
Study shows damaging impact of heat waves on vital organs (MedicalXpress)
How High Humidity Can Affect Your Health—and When It Gets Dangerous (Verywellhealth)
A critical link exists among high temps, aging and disease risk (MedicalXpress)
Heat Is More Than Just Temperature—Here’s How We Measure It (Scientific American - subscription might be required)
Creating The Perfect Hospital Bag for Myasthenia Gravis (myasthenia-gravis.com)
European Myasthenia Gravis Association (EuMGA) Europe has a Myasthenia Gravis organization similar to the MGFA. It's in English. It's always good to see the perspective of another MG support organization. Check out the site and their resources.
Medications Seniors Should Use With Caution (WebMD) If you're into your 60's or older, I highly recommend this article. I'm 72 and recently had a severely pulled muscle in my back. I immediately went to my Tramadol stock, which has always, for me, been an excellent pain reliever and my go-to severe pain killer. After just two days I had side effects that I had never previously experienced. It destroyed my gut microbiome, caused mental fog, and shut down my appetite, among other unexpected effects. Moral of the story, as you age your body WILL change the way it processes those OTC or Rx drugs and give you additional challenges to deal with on top of your MG.
Mike Stabile, Website Administrator
Simple Spoonfuls (UCB USA) Kristin Neusel from UCB shares short YouTube videos for MGers for making simple, healthy and nutritious recipes that may help prevent muscle fatigue for people living with MG.
Biomarkers in autoimmune myasthenia gravis: A narrative review (Science Direct) "...Biomarkers play a crucial role in diagnosing myasthenia gravis, guiding treatment choices, assessing patient prognosis, and monitoring therapeutic responses. Herein, this review focuses on the current state of research on biomarkers for myasthenia gravis."
Top 10 Foods Highest in Magnesium (My Food Data)
These Magnesium-Rich Foods Are Healthy and Delicious (Verywell Health) Since it can be dangerous for MGers to consume excessive magnesium, it's good to know where we can naturally obtain the magnesium our bodies need.
Go To ARTICLES ARCHIVE