The mission of The Myositis Association, or TMA, is: to improve the lives of persons affected by myositis, fund innovative research, and increase myositis awareness and advocacy. TMA is the premier international organization providing important resources, education and support to those in the myositis community. This community consists of children, adults, and their families who live with the daunting and life-changing physical, psychological and emotional effects of myositis. Nationwide, an estimated 75,000 Americans are affected by this collection of rare diseases. Symptoms of myositis include, but are not limited to: muscle weakness pain fatigue tripping or falling trouble swallowing difficulty breathing and irritations of the skin, joints, and eyes. Myositis is often difficult to diagnose, because many physicians are unfamiliar with the disease and its symptoms. Also, as a rare disease, it can be difficult to enroll enough patients to conduct adequate research of new treatments, an