2024 International Annual Patient Conference

Please note: applications are now closed for the 2024 International Annual Patient Conference. Check back for the 2025 application in the spring.

Thank you for your interest in scholarships for TMA’s International Annual Patient Conference.

TMA’s scholarships eliminate the registration cost. With a conference scholarship, you can attend all conference sessions, meals, and events without submitting a registration fee. If you are traveling with a care partner, s/he will also receive a free conference registration. 

TMA’s scholarships do not include a travel stipend or reimbursement. 

The application period opened May 6, 2024 and closed June 10, 2024. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by July 5, 2024.

Please note that priority for funding will be given to those with financial need, and those who have not attended the conference in the past. In addition, consideration may be given to balancing recipients by disease type and geographical representation. 

Scholarship aid is available to TMA members only. Please sign up to become a member before completing the application.

MSU/TMA Mary Jane DeLauder Memorial Scholarship

TMA proudly partners with Myositis Support and Understanding (MSU) and Dick DeLauder on the Mary Jane DeLauder Memorial Scholarship.

Mary Jane (MJ) Thurmond DeLauder (MJ) of Indialantic, Florida, an advocate for patients all of her life, passed away in June 2019 after living with the rare disease inclusion body myositis (IBM) for 25 years. Her passion for welcoming and educating was well-known throughout the myositis community. MJ and Dick are pictured below at at TMA conference with “Wandering Wally,” the loveable global myositis awareness mascot. The DeLauder Memorial Fund helps educate, connect, and support IBM patients and care partners.

Funds are used to provide one patient and their care partner an all-expenses paid trip to TMA’s International Annual Patient Conference. The recipient reflects MJ’s involvement in myositis support communities and is using their voice to promote education, getting involved in research, and other important advocacy.

Congratulations!

The 2024 Mary Jane DeLauder Scholarship recipients are Cheryl and Bill Coen. Cheryl was diagnosed with IBM in 2023. She and Bill live in Lilburn, GA. Cheryl is a member of MSU’s IBM Support Group and they were active volunteers at MSU’s 2024 Myositis Moon Walk.