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Mike Foley knows what it means to live with uncertainty. Diagnosed with inclusion body myositis (IBM) in 2013 after years of unexplained symptoms and an initial misdiagnosis of ALS, Mike has faced the slow progression of a disease with no known cure and few treatment options.
“I had symptoms for five or six years before they figured it out,” Mike says.
Mike wanted to participate in a clinical trial. He tried to get into one at Johns Hopkins, then at Cleveland Clinic, and even Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. But being in the later stages of IBM, he didn’t qualify.
IBM has taken much from Mike—his ability to work, drive, and walk—but it hasn’t taken his hope. That’s why he gives monthly to The Myositis Association (TMA).
“I figure a small donation every month is something I can do,” he says. “Millions have gone to cancer research. Maybe someday IBM research will get somewhere too. That would be wonderful—for my children and grandchildren.”
Mike’s story is a powerful reminder of why monthly giving matters. It’s not just about the dollars—it’s about sustaining hope, building community, and funding the research and support that people like Mike rely on.
As a Navy veteran who served off the coast of Vietnam, Mike has always believed in service. He joined TMA’s Military Veterans with Myositis Affinity Group early on and attended several annual patient conferences. He remembers meeting TMA’s former director, Bob Goldberg, at a golf outing in South Jersey. “I always try to support,” he says.
Today, Mike lives in Northeast Philadelphia with his wife of 52 years, who helps him with daily tasks. “I can still feed myself, but she lifts me from my wheelchair to my recliner. I used to shuffle around with a walker, but not anymore.”
Despite the challenges, Mike remains grateful. “I’m the father of four, grandfather of several. Everybody’s healthy and happy. I can’t complain.”
Monthly donors like Mike are the backbone of TMA’s mission. Their steady support helps fund research, education, and patient programs that make a real difference. Monthly giving is easy, transformative, and ensures that TMA can plan ahead and grow its reach.
“It’s easy to feel discouraged,” Mike says, “but TMA gives me hope. Someday, something will change.”
You can be part of that change.
Join Mike and become a monthly donor today. Your ongoing support helps build a future where no one faces myositis alone. Become a monthly donor.
