MAGIC Foundation

Lore & Background

The MAGIC Foundation was established in 1989 to serve families of children diagnosed with a wide variety of growth-impacting medical conditions. Its services include public education, quarterly newsletters, national networking, an annual convention, disorder-specific brochures, and a Kids Program. The foundation is maintained by volunteers and five full-time staff members, with a membership network exceeding 25,000 families.

Disorders covered by the foundation include congenital adrenal hyperplasia, precocious puberty, growth hormone deficiency, panhypopituitarism, McCune–Albright syndrome, Turner syndrome, Russell–Silver syndrome, thyroid disorders, optic nerve hypoplasia, and other rare conditions. MAGIC offers annual educational programs for families and affected adults, with physicians from around the world volunteering to speak.

The foundation received significant funding from Genentech and Eli Lilly, which led to controversy. The US Food and Drug Administration investigated Genentech in 1992 and 1994 for using charities to improperly advertise human growth hormone treatments. However, no donations to MAGIC were made with stipulations on how the money was to be used; they were support funds for patients.

Reader's Guide

The MAGIC Foundation occupies a significant role in the landscape of pediatric growth disorders, providing a centralized resource for families navigating rare and complex conditions. Its importance lies in its comprehensive support network—connecting over 25,000 families with education, physician referrals, and peer networking. The foundation's annual conventions and disorder-specific brochures address a gap in specialized information for conditions like Turner syndrome, Russell–Silver syndrome, and growth hormone deficiency.

However, the foundation's legacy is tempered by controversy over its funding from pharmaceutical companies Genentech and Eli Lilly. FDA investigations in 1992 and 1994 examined whether such funding was used for improper advertising of growth hormone treatments. The article notes that no stipulations were attached to the donations, preserving ambiguity about the relationship. This tension between patient support and pharmaceutical influence remains a cautionary note in the history of patient advocacy organizations.

Overall, MAGIC's work has provided tangible benefits to families, but its financial ties highlight broader ethical questions in medical nonprofit funding.

Did You Know?

• The MAGIC Foundation was founded in 1989.
• It has a membership network of over 25,000 families.
• The foundation received funding from Genentech and Eli Lilly, which led to FDA investigations in 1992 and 1994.
• Disorders covered include congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Turner syndrome, and Russell–Silver syndrome.