Earlier this month, we shared that our team at Langley Wellington would be holding a bake sale in support of MOGAD Awareness Month, and we are delighted to follow up with the results!
Thanks to some incredibly talented bakers, the generosity of our teams, and supporters, our bake sale raised over £200 for the MOGAD cause. We are so happy with the results and could not be prouder of everyone who baked, donated, and showed their support.
As you can see, the team certainly did not hold back on the baking front. From beautifully decorated sponges and cupcakes to brownies and biscuits, the spread was impressive, and delicious!
The Reason Behind Cause – What Is MOGAD?
For those who missed our previous article, ‘Langley Wellington Is Supporting MOGAD Awareness Month’, MOGAD stands for Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody Disease. It is a rare neuroimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system.
MOGAD can affect both children and adults, and symptoms vary and may cause:
- Vision loss (optic neuritis)
- Spinal cord inflammation (transverse myelitis)
- Brain inflammation (ADEM)
- And more
Some people experience a single episode and recover well. Others experience relapses over time, which can make it difficult to plan day-to-day life or maintain employment. The unpredictable nature of the condition is one of the things that makes it so challenging to live with.
Why is MOGAD Often Misdiagnosed?
Because MOGAD shares characteristics with other conditions, such as MS and neuromyelitis optica, it is frequently misdiagnosed, which can delay access to the right treatment and support.
This is significant because treatments appropriate for MS, for example, are not always the right approach for MOGAD, and in some cases, are not helpful at all. Arriving at an accurate diagnosis early on gives patients a better chance of accessing the right support, treatments, and clinical monitoring going forward. Earlier recognition can also reduce the isolation that comes with being told you have a condition that most people have never heard of.
Another factor in misdiagnosis is that MOGAD was only formally recognised as a distinct condition fairly recently. This means that awareness among both the general public and some medical professionals is still growing. That is precisely why supporting campaigns like MOGAD Awareness Months is so important.
Raising Awareness About MOGAD – This Year’s Theme
The theme of this year’s awareness month, MOGADvocacy®, highlights the power of patients, caregivers, clinicians, and advocates working together to improve outcomes and accelerate research.
Advocacy takes many forms, such as sharing information with friends and family, speaking openly about the condition, supporting fundraising efforts, engaging with awareness events, or simply taking a moment to learn something new.
Awareness campaigns also support the vital research being carried out to better understand the condition, improve treatments, and ultimately improve the outcome for those living with MOGAD.
If you would like to learn more, the MOG Project is an excellent resource dedicated to MOGAD awareness, research, and education: https://mogproject.org/
A Thank You from Langley Wellington
We want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the Langley Wellington Bake Sale and helped us reach this milestone. This is a cause close to our hearts, and we are grateful to be a part of such a kind and generous community.
MOGAD Awareness Month continues throughout April, and there are various ways you can join in and show your support:
- Visit the MOG Project website to learn more about MOGAD and the work being done to support patients and families.
- Share information about MOGAD Awareness Month with your own networks.
- Donate to organisations working in this space to fund ongoing research and support.
Every share, every conversation, and every fundraising act makes a difference. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for helping us spread the word.
