MyoCon! September 24–27, 2026.
Some people change a community through grand gestures. Others change it through years of showing up, listening, encouraging, and helping others find their way. For more than 25 years, Catherine “Kitty” Trejo has been that beacon of hope for the myositis community. In recognition of her extraordinary volunteer service and commitment to the myositis community, Kitty Trejo has been selected as the recipient of The Myositis Association’s 2026 Marianne Moyer Myositis Leader Award.
Kitty’s journey with myositis began with her own diagnosis of polymyositis in 1998. As a physician, she brought a unique perspective to her disease experience, but like many people living with myositis, she also faced the uncertainty, challenges, and isolation that often accompany a rare disease diagnosis. Rather than allowing those challenges to define her future, Kitty turned her experience into a mission to help others navigate theirs.
In 2001, Kitty, along with the late Rich Stevenson, founded the TMA Northern California Myositis Support Group, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Those who attended those support group meetings quickly learned that Kitty believed everyone should have a place at the table. The group became known for bringing together people with different forms of myositis, offering educational speakers, diagnosis-specific breakout discussions, and meaningful support for care partners.
Kitty understood that one of the greatest burdens of a rare disease can be feeling alone. She knew first-hand how valuable it was to connect with other people living with myositis and was grateful to find this connection through TMA. She described local support group meetings and TMA’s annual patient conference (now called MyoCon) as “critical” sources of support and knowledge. That experience inspired her commitment to making sure others could find the same sense of connection and understanding.
Over the years, Kitty has also been a tireless ambassador for myositis awareness. During Myositis Awareness Month, she used her voice to educate the public about the many forms of myositis and the need for greater understanding of these rare diseases. As a support group leader, she helped expand awareness not only among patients and families, but also throughout her local community.
Even after more than two decades of commitment to the myositis community, Kitty continues to serve. Today, she supports members as co-leader of TMA’s Rainbow Affinity Group, helping create a safe, welcoming, and affirming space for LGBTQIA+ individuals and families affected by myositis. Her work reflects a belief that support should be available to everyone and that every person deserves to feel seen, respected, and valued throughout their healthcare journey.
The Marianne Moyer Myositis Leader Award recognizes TMA volunteers who lead the way by helping others, building connections, and strengthening the myositis community. Named in honor of the late Marianne Moyer, a longtime TMA leader who helped create the organization’s Keep in Touch (KIT) groups and mentored support group leaders across the country, the award celebrates individuals who strengthen the myositis community through compassion, service, and a commitment to lifting others up. Anyone who knows Kitty knows how perfectly she embodies those qualities.
Those who know Kitty often speak about her generosity, wisdom, and willingness to help others. Whether sharing insights drawn from her medical background, connecting patients with resources, mentoring fellow support group leaders, or simply listening when someone needs encouragement, she has consistently embodied the values that make TMA strong. Her service has touched lives far beyond Northern California and has helped build a more connected and compassionate myositis community.
Kitty will be honored at the Heroes in the Fight Gala on September 26, 2026, during MyoCon: TMA’s Global Myositis Patient Conference in St. Louis. The award is a fitting tribute to a volunteer whose leadership has inspired patients, families, and fellow advocates for more than two decades.
As TMA celebrates Kitty’s achievements, it also celebrates the countless lives she has touched. Through her compassion, advocacy, and unwavering dedication, Catherine “Kitty” Trejo has helped transform the myositis journey for others. Her legacy is not measured only by years of service, but by the community she helped build, the voices she amplified, and the hope she continues to share with those facing myositis every day.
