Newsletters
Women of Color Spring 2022 – New!
Please contact TMAWOC@myositis.org for meeting information.
TMA’s WOC Vision Statement
To champion and advocate for all Women of Color living with, or caregiving for, any form of myositis. WOC promotes awareness through the 3E’s: Encouragement, Education, and Empowerment.
TMA’s WOC Mission Statement
Women of Color is a TMA support and advocacy group that strengthens women who are known to be disproportionally affected by myositis disease. “Non-white women are twice as likely to die than others with myositis, and they are four times more likely to die than white men with the disease”- (see Infograph). With the backing of TMA’s Medical Advisory Board and research team, we plan to educate, empower, and encourage women, caregivers, and communities of color through workshops, meetings and supportive activities. This will enable participants of WOC to go into their communities, and convey factual information about myositis.
TMA’s WOC Committees
Monthly Committee Leaders Meeting (Please only attend if you are a leader or interested in leading)
Please contact TMAWOC@myositis.org for meeting information.
WELCOME/VOLUNTEERS * MENTAL/PHYSICAL HEALTH * OUTREACH/EDUCATION * FAITH/BEREAVEMENT * COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS * SOCIAL MEDIA * LEGISLATION * RESEARCH/STATISTICS * EVENTS/FUNDRAISING
Resources
TMA’s Woman of Color Infographic – Myositis is an inflammatory disease of the muscles that can cause severe disability. Symptoms include falling, trouble climbing stairs, difficulty raising arms over the head, and unusual rashes. In adults, certain forms of myositis affect women of color more than Caucasians.
My Myositis Tracker – TMA’s Patient Symptom and Disease Management Tool called- “My Myositis Tracker.” This tool will empower you to track your symptoms and changes in your condition in between appointments in preparation for discussion with your doctor. This tool is meant to help empower patients increase opportunities for thoughtful and meaningful dialogue with their providers about symptoms, changes in condition, or other relevant changes. It is not meant to be used as a diagnostic tool.
Dermatomyositis Rashes in Patients of Color – Health-care professionals have historically learned about dermatomyositis (DM) rashes from pictures illustrating mainly Caucasian patients. The paucity of dark skin in textbooks and journals has contributed to delayed diagnosis and increased morbidity and mortality in patients of color with dermatomyositis
How you can help
We know you have many talents, and we invite you to use them to help us improve the lives of myositis patients everywhere. Whether you have an eye for detail or are a natural leader, we have a job for you! Please let us know how you would like to help.