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The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) is the only national volunteer health agency dedicated solely to the fight against myasthenia gravis. MGFA has over 20 Chapters around the United States serving patients and their families and caregivers through support groups and programs. Each chapter is independently operated, but each shares the vision of a world without MG.
History of MGFA History
Jane Ellsworth founded the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Inc. in 1952, when her teenage daughter, Pat, was diagnosed with MG. Finding little information was available, Jane established the MGFA to create a foundation whose mission was to have "A World without MG". This newly formed foundation provided patients and families with the information and support needed to understand and cope with MG. Until a cure is found, the MGFA will continue Jane Ellsworth's efforts to help patients and their families manage the difficulties of living with MG.
About MGFA (PDF) 
Patricia Ellsworth Wilson: 1931-2007
It is with great sadness that we inform the Myasthenia Gravis community that Patricia Ellsworth Wilson, the daughter of our founder, Jane Dewey Ellsworth, passed away on Friday, December 14, 2007.
When Pat was diagnosed with MG as a teenager, her mother established the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. With Pat as inspiration, the Foundation continues to provide patients and families with the information and support needed to understand and cope with MG. Until a cure is found, the MGFA will sustain Jane Dewey Ellsworth's efforts to help patients and their families manage the difficulties of living with MG.
The following is an obituary that outlines Mrs. Wilson’s remarkable life.
Patricia Ellsworth Wilson, age 76, of Holland, Michigan, died Friday, December 14, 2007 of myositis, at her home. Pat was born in Concord, Massachusetts on September 19, 1931. She was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis at age 15 and was the inspiration for her mother’s founding of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation. She was proud of both parents, as her mother was a Hollywood actress and her father was a cartoonist, writer, and producer of D.C. Comics and the Superman television series.
She graduated from Greenwich High School in Connecticut, attended Radcliffe College and graduated from Barnard College in New York City in 1954. She then worked as a writer and editor for Grolier Publishing for 17 years, writing for encyclopedias. After 24 years in New York City, she reconnected with Dr. Laurence H. Wilson, a Greenwich High School friend. She married Larry Wilson on August 1, 1980 and moved to Holland, MI.
Pat and Larry became actively involved with the MG Foundation and faithfully attended the Annual Meeting. Pat assisted with telephone-fundraising and gave lectures on myasthenia gravis to students at Nazareth College School of Nursing. Larry served on both the national and local chapter boards. They were married for 26 years until his death on March 28, 2007.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Sylvia J. Wilson of Virginia, her dear friend, Guy Gould-Davis, and multiple beloved friends. |
