About US
How We Support The MOGAD Community
The MOG Project is devoted to raising awareness, educating doctors, patients and caregivers, and advancing research to support those suffering from MOGAD. To achieve this, our focus is to:
- Provide accurate information through references to published studies, having a continual presence on social media, and creating podcasts (and other communication channels) addressing high volume concerns with renown experts
- Create a trusted community, connecting people with both doctors and other patients with rare neuroimmune conditions through physical support groups as well as social media groups,
- Collaborate with expert doctors, researchers and other organizations, including our partners, who support the broader spectrum of rare neuroimmune disorders including MOGAD
- Raise funds (big or small) to support MOGAD related research.
Our History
The idea of The MOG Project was born in 2017 by Julia Lefelar and her daughter Kristina Lefelar because of Julia’s diagnosis of MOG Antibody Disease (MOGAD) and the lack of information to understand and come to terms on her future. Julia had suffered for many years with undiagnosed symptoms of MOGAD. Her most acute, repeated attacks of Optic Neuritis started in 2014. She was finally diagnosed with MOGAD in November of 2017. At that time, MOG -AD was barely on the map and there was little information, if any, for patients, doctors or caregivers on the disease symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options. The MOG Project was formally kicked off in December of 2017 when Cynthia Albright, another MOGAD patient, and Amy Ednie jumped in to make the commitment to make a difference. The MOG Squad was born!

Dr. Michael Levy, Julia’s neurologist and, at the time, Assistant Professor of Neurology at Johns Hopkins, suggested that they join The Transverse Myelitis Association (TMA), now called the Siegel Rare Neuroimmune Association (SRNA) (https://wearesrna.org) as the disease should be included in their spectrum of neuroimmune diseases. The SRNA took them under their wing and allowed them to launch MOG disease advocacy as a new addition to their spectrum of rare neuroimmune diseases that they support. Since then, the group has expanded from coast-to-coast and across the Atlantic with more members of the MOGAD community willing to devote their time and effort to The MOG Project to make sure that MOGAD patients have the latest information on disease research, the best doctors and the best course of treatment. With the support of the SRNA, they helped improve information distribution through social media, podcasts, support groups and walk events. In early 2020, The MOG Project became a non-profit organization on its own, partnering with the SRNA and the Sumaira Foundation to ensure strength in achieving their aligned missions.
Meet our MOG Squad Members
Executive Board

PresidentCo-Founder

Executive DirectorCo-Founder

Director of MOG-AD Resources and Advocacy

Director of Patient Insights

Director of Blind Resources
Advisory Board

Digital Marketing & Media ConsultantCo-Founder

Chief Media Officer

Australian Ambassador
Medical Professional Outreach Specialist

Patient Advocacy Specialist
MOG Project Champions

MOG Project ChampionMOG-AD Advocate

MOG Project ChampionMOG-AD Advocate

Support Group LeadersLil' Hummingbird Nest

MOG Project ChampionMOG-AD Advocate

Education Consultant & Advocacy SpecialistSupport Group LeaderLifting the MOG Fog

MOG Project Champion
Public relations

MOG Project Champion
Public Relations
MOG Project Interns

MOG Project Champion
Marketing Intern
West Virginia University
