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If you think a headache is just a headache, think again. Millions of Americans suffer from migraines, cluster headaches and other serious headache disorders. Chances are, headache disorders affect you or someone
you love.
Join the cause by becoming a member of the National Headache Foundation, the world’s largest voluntary organization for the support of people
with migraine and headache disorders. For more than 40 years, the NHF
has assisted millions of individuals seeking education and treatment for
their various conditions.
Individual membership:
Professional membership:
Physician:
Allied health:
$20 per year
$125 per year
$75 per year
With your membership, you’ll receive:
A subscription to HeadWise magazine
For the next few issues, I thought that I would provide a brief history of the
National Headache Foundation, including its origins, composition, activities, and
accomplishments. For this issue, I would like to address the beginnings of the
NHF.
In 1964, I became an active member and eventually an officer of the professional
organization, the American Association for the Study of Headache (AASH). This
association, comprised of physicians and other healthcare professionals, is now
known as the American Headache Society. As I continued with my practice in
headache medicine, I recognized the need for an organization for lay people who
were experiencing headache. This type of organization did exist in England – the
British Migraine Trust which was founded in 1965.
During a visit to England, my wife, Elaine, and I were able to visit the headquarters of the Trust and observe their operations. We also met with members of the
British Migraine Association (now Migraine Action) which was founded by Peter
Wilson in 1958. With the help of the AASH, we started the National Migraine
Foundation in 1970. I served as its first President, and Elaine was the only employee. The original headquarters were located in a small office in a professional
office building which I owned, and was able to donate the space.
The NMF newsletter was started in 1972 through the leadership of my good
friend and colleague, Donald J. Dalessio, MD. In 1973, his late wife, Jane, became
the editor of the newsletter – a post she served until 1977.
The first National Migraine Foundation lectureship was awarded in 1979 to
G.W. Bruyn, MD, from Amsterdam, The Netherlands. And in 1986, the name of
the organization was changed to National Headache Foundation. There have been
many changes over the years but the focus has remained – to raise awareness about
headache and migraine, support research, and promote headache education for
patients, their families, health care providers, and to the public.
To be continued…
Seymour Diamond, M.D.
Chicago, Illinois
The NHF News to Know monthly e-newsletter
Access to a wealth of headache research,
support and information
Plus, your donation will support the NHF
and help advance headache advocacy,
education and research
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To join, go to www.headaches.org/store/membership
or call 1-888-NHF-5552
HeadW ise ®
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Volume 4, Issue 2 • 2014
www.headaches.org
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National Headache Foundation
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