MAGNUM's Membership
 

"Blowing Wisps"                                                                       Cara Weston

  
       In the dawn of the 1990s when the concept of MAGNUM as a non-government organization (NGO) to raise Migraine disease awareness was formed, we began operations as an unfunded, grassroots public health advocacy group. Since then MAGNUM has served its members via our Web sites, advocacy, media presence, and taking on select cases to highlight and address a common problem faced by all or most Migraineurs.  We have operated as grass roots public health advocates initially, then became an NGO when MAGNUM incorporation in 1994.

       MAGNUM has long held the belief that one of the ramifications of Migraine disease is the negative economic impact on the Migraine sufferer. Therefore we created the concept of operating with an "Open Membership" policy.  That is we do not charge for membership, access to "special" Web pages, or services.  We wanted all who came to MAGNUM to be a "member" simply by visiting www.migraines.org (also www.migraineawarenessgroup.com & www.migraineawarenessgroup.org) or our online publication www.MigraineBlog.com & www.MigraineBlog.org.  As many organizations change a membership fee, we felt that many disabled by Migraine did not need any extra costs while looking for help. 

This new concept of an Open Membership also meant we needed to reach out to the public and healthcare industry for funding our mission.  In particular we have felt that those corporations who profit from manufacturing FDA approved medical products that help control the suffering of the Migraineur could help fund our mission. To that fact, we are grateful to have many in the medical industry's support.  Some such as GlaxoSmithKline, have been offering un-restricted educational grants for a decade, which shows their and other in the medical industry strong belief and support of our mission.

           Last but not least we want to thank those Migraineurs, their friends, and loved ones for their kind donations and strong words of support, gratitude, and for always praising us for taking on this difficult mission. MAGNUM, The National Migraine Association, is grateful for any and all economic, services, or other support as we continue our fight to educate the public and government about Migraine disease.  And by doing so seek to facilitate improving access to better care and promoting  changes in laws to help Migraine disease sufferers (as well as all headache, head-pain, and pain sufferers) have a better, more productive and fulfilling lives.