Events this May!
Lance Millington was in the best shape of his life, doing half Ironman and other endurance events. He went out for a 30-mile bike ride and couldn’t get a deep breath. He thought smoke from forest fires might be the problem, but the shortness of breath persisted. One month later his muscles became weak. He couldn’t raise his arms to wash his hair. Two months after that he could not hold the knife to carve the Thanksgiving turkey. The next day he was hospitalized. He feared he might die soon at the rate he was going.
His doctors diagnosed him with polymyositis, which they had never seen before. “Even my doctors had not heard about myositis. I was out there wandering around by myself, which was very lonely,” Lance said. His well-intentioned rheumatologist warned him against seeking information on the internet. “I wish I had found The Myositis Association sooner. They made such a difference.”
Will you help people like Lance connect with others through TMA?
Six years into his journey, Lance was so relieved to finally find TMA. The science-based information was aimed at patients and their families, and it was easy to understand. The organization gave him a community and a way to connect with other patients. “TMA helped me understand what I have. They showed me that I am not alone and people with myositis are living good lives.”
Lance now volunteers with TMA and has even joined the Board of Directors. He is moved by the fact that everyone at TMA has a personal connection to the disease. He feels good giving back, partly because he’s spending time with people who really understand what he deals with every day. “My wife and family are so supportive, but they don’t totally get it. TMA gets it.”
Please make a gift today to help TMA build community among people with myositis.
TMA cannot make this impact without your generosity! Thank you for supporting us during Myositis Awareness Month.
