Our Mission Statement
The MMIHS Foundation is a volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of those affected by MMIHS through the
cultivation of a supportive and resourceful community which promotes advocacy, awareness, education, and research.
Donations
The donations that the MMIHS Foundation receive are put directly towards our operational costs and efforts that support our mission. We have used the funding we have received to pay for the costs that keep our website up and running, non-profit registration fees, membership dues, and a conference attendance. One of our main goals is to have enough funding to directly support MMIHS specific research. We are working hard to change the future of MMIHS and we are so grateful for your support!
Our Timeline
2014 – The Support Group
In 2014, Sue Koprucki, the mother of a daughter with MMIHS, created the one and only online support group for MMIHS patients and their family members.
2016 – The Website
In September of 2016 the rights to www.mmihs.org were purchased and a group of MMIHS family members came together to create an online resource that would overtake the outdated articles that once topped the searches and replace it with current information as well as hope and support for families impacted by MMIHS.
2017 – NPO Status
After a lengthy application process we became a certified non-profit on August 15th, 2017!
2018 – Our Very First MMIHS Day
On September 8th, 2018 we held our first ever MMIHS Day. Every year since we have continued to use this day to come together to generate awareness and support for those who are affected by MMIHS.
The MMIHS Foundation In Action
Our Website
MMIHS.ORG is one of the primary ways we are able to promote advocacy, awareness, and education. We are constantly searching for ways to make the website useful for families and medical professionals, as well as the general population.
The MMIHS Map
The map feature on our website has been a very helpful tool to help us connect families who are living in the same area. Often times when given an MMIHS diagnosis you may not be told that there are other families out there. Our goal is to help families realize that there actually is an amazing community just waiting to support them on their journey and we know we are headed in the right direction. There were 21 members in the support group before the creation of the website. Currently there are 190 members and counting.
Conference Attendance
Digestive Disease Week
San Diego, CA
May 19-21, 2019
DDW is the world’s largest gathering of physicians, researchers and industry in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. It was the very first medical conference we attended in representation of MMIHS. We held a booth that was staffed by MMIHS family members and educated the conference attendees. It was a great experience and a wonderful opportunity to network with medical professionals. We have set our sights on NASPGHAN (North American Society For Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition) as our next conference.
Advocating in DC
IFFGD National Advocacy Event On The Hill
Washington, DC
June 24-25, 2019
IFFGD's National Advocacy Event on the Hill was a two-day event bringing together advocates from across the nation — patients, family members and friends, and health care providers. This was an opportunity to connect with other advocates; learn how patients and caregivers can engage with Federal agencies to help shape research, drug development, and approval; share personal stories; and educate key policymakers in Washington about the needs of the millions of Americans affected. (Read More)
The MMIHS Foundation's Vice President, Erin Peterson shared her personal account of advocating for a child affected by a gastrointestinal disorder.
Digestive Disease National Coalition
March 1 - 2, 2020
Jessi Richards, an MMIHS Foundation board member represented the MMIHS Foundation at a two-day advocacy conference put on by the DDNC. This event brought together patient advocates, health care providers, and industry representatives from the major national voluntary and professional societies who are concerned with digestive diseases. Over the course of the two days, attendees heard from multiple panels of leaders in the digestive disease community, attend a reception celebrating the coalition as well as its champions, and advocated for medical research and patient care on Capitol Hill. (Read More)
Rare Disease Day
Minnesota Rare Disease Day
University of Minnesota
February 28, 2020
As a Minnesota based non-profit we were able to take advantage of the Rare Disease Day event put on at the University of Minnesota in partnership with the Minnesota Rare Disease Advisory Council. We staffed a booth and had the opportunity to engage with local professionals in the field.
Creating Partnerships
It is our belief that creating partnerships with related organizations will help to maximize the effectiveness of our efforts. To date, these are two of the organizations that we have had the opportunity to work with. We encourage you to check out their websites to learn more!
IFFGD is a Public Charity whose mission is to inform, assist and support people affected by gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. IFFGD works with patients (both adults and children), families, physicians, practitioners, investigators, employers, regulators, and others to broaden understanding about gastrointestinal disorders and support or encourage research.
The Digestive Disease National Coalition is an advocacy organization in the United States' capital. In conjunction with member organizations, DDNC seeks to raise awareness of these diseases in Congress and in the media.