The Myositis Association's Board of Directors made an historic decision at its September, 2011 meeting to no longer require a membership fee from those wanting to receive TMA's information and services. This was done because those suffering from a rare disease such as myositis are hard pressed to find useful information about their disease and may face an uncertain future without the additional worry of affording TMA dues on top of other expenses. Making this decision was not easy because dues are a source of revenue for TMA. But, we believed it was the right thing to do.

TMA will provide the same level of services to all -- the quarterly newsletter, participation in online chats with medical experts, access to back issues of publications, notification of clinical trial recruiting myositis patients, etc.

While we will not require a payment, we hope that you and all others who find TMA's work valuable, will support TMA as much as you are comfortable providing. Because any money given to TMA will be a donation, the entire amount will now be tax-deductible.

We will continue to look for ways to ensure that all those with myositis and their caregivers receive what they need from TMA as we seek to support all myositis patients while searching for a cure.