The term “affinity group” is used as a bringing together of people who share some commonality. TMA believes in creating safe spaces for communities that share more in common than their myositis diagnosis. Safe spaces can provide a break from judgment, unsolicited opinions, and having to explain yourself where there is no understanding. They allow people to feel supported and respected. This is especially important for people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and other marginalized groups.
Affinity groups play a vital role in ensuring an inclusive environment where all are valued, included, and empowered to succeed and are part of TMA’s commitment to amplifying patient voices and health equity and access. Our affinity groups also serve to help the organization create awareness and connectivity in communities where the groups have natural membership. The ability to effectively participate in this increased advocacy and awareness building is essential to TMA’s mission. Increased awareness of myositis has the potential to lead to earlier diagnosis, more effective treatments, and improving the quality of life for those who live with myositis. TMA and our affinity groups also advocate for patients through educational and media events, as well as advancing legislation that removes barriers to accessing the best myositis care.
We invite you to learn more about TMA’s affinity groups and how they are being successful in engaging our community of patients, care partners, family, friends, healthcare providers, and industry partners! See below for information for each group including the link to register for upcoming meetings!
¡TMA Adelante! ¡Grupo de afinidad es el primer grupo de afinidad de TMA en un idioma distinto al inglés! Adelante en español significa “avanzar”, como continúan haciendo muchos que viven con miositis y sus cuidadores a pesar de la enfermedad crónica. Hispanohablantes de todo el mundo se reúnen varias veces al año. Se reúne cada dos meses el tercer jueves del mes. Regístrate aquí.
TMA Adelante! Grupo de afinidad is TMA’s first affinity group in a language other than English! Adelante is Spanish for “moving forward”, as so many who live with myositis and their care partners continue to do despite chronic illness. Spanish-speakers from all over the world meet several times per year. Meets every two months on the third Thursday of the month at 5:00 PM ET | 4:00 PM CT | 3:00 PM MT | 2:00 PM PT. Register here.
The TMA Care Partner Affinity Group is designed to support caregivers and care partners of those who live with myositis. This is a safe space to address issues specific to the role of caregiving. This group meets in its own breakout room with TMA’s Nationwide Support Group on the first Saturday of most months at 1 PM ET | 12 PM CT | 11 AM MT | 10 AM PT. Register here.
TMA Flying Solo Affinity Group is designed to support those managing myositis without the help of a care partner, whether that means you live alone, or your significant other is incapable of providing care. You may be managing myositis while providing care to someone else. Expand your support network through this group. This group meets on the first Wednesday at 8 PM ET | 7 PM CT | 6 PM MT | 5 PM PT. Register here.
TMA is excited to announce our newest virtual offering: TMA Men of Color Affinity Group. Thanks to the initiative of TMA’s Women of Color Affinity Group in getting this off the ground, this new group will meet quarterly as a way for men of color who are living with myositis to connect, share their stories, and learn more about myositis and how they can navigate the challenges of chronic disease. This group meets quarterly, see calendar.
The TMA Men Managing Myositis Affinity Group is a place for men with any form of myositis to gain support from one another and discuss issues particular to their group. Meets monthly on the third Tuesday at 7 PM ET | 6 PM CT | 5 PM MT | 4 PM PT. Register here.
TMA is proud to host LGBTQIA+ programming in the form of TMA’s Rainbow Affinity Group! This group meets on the fourth Sunday of each month. In addition to providing support around commonality in addition to a myositis diagnosis, this group seeks to create connectivity within the broader LGBTQIA+ community and ensure all LGBTQIA+ patients are provided an affirmative, inclusive, and respectful environment in healthcare settings and throughout their myositis journey. Meets monthly on the fourth Sunday at 5 PM ET | 4 PM CT | 3 PM MT | 2 PM PT. Register here.
The TMA Military Veteran with Myositis Affinity Group hosts patients and care partners who have prior military service. This group provides a comfort zone for veterans to discuss issues specific to their community and increases camaraderie by offering veterans opportunities to network with each other. It will also support community involvement efforts with veteran organizations. Meets monthly on the second Saturday at 12 PM ET | 11 AM CT | 10 AM MT | 9 AM PT. Register here.
Organized in 2019, TMA Women of Color (WOC) Affinity Group is a support and advocacy group that promotes awareness through the 3E’s: Encouragement, Education, and Empowerment. They educate women and communities of color about the different forms of myositis and discuss issues specific to this population. Through workshops and support meetings, WOC will be empowered to go into their communities and bring awareness about myositis. Meets on the first Thursday of most months at 6:30 PM ET | 5:30 PM CT | 4:30 PM MT | 3:30 PM PT. Register here.
The mission of TMA Women with IBM Affinity Group is to improve the lives of women with inclusion body myositis through virtual connections and support that transcends geography. Meets on the third Tuesday of most months at 12 PM ET | 11 AM CT | 10 AM MT | 9 AM PT. Register here.
All are welcome to participate in any of our affinity groups. If you have interest in joining and contributing to one of our existing affinity groups or an interest in consideration to start and facilitate a new one, please reach out to us at tma@myositis.org