We are grateful to the following for their generous support of the IMACS workshops and studies:
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
The mission of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is to discover how the environment affects people in order to promote healthier lives.
The Myositis Association
The mission of The Myositis Association is to find a cure for inflammatory and other related myopathies, while serving those affected by these diseases. The Myositis Association of America (MAA) was created by Betty Curry in March, 1993, as the Inclusion Body Myositis Association (IBMA), a non-profit corporation. The National Organization of Rare Disorders (NORD) provided the names of 16 patients who became the initial members. The founder's purpose was to find and give out information about this rare disease.
Cure JM Foundation
The Cure JM Foundation was established in October 2003 with the goal of raising awareness of this rare disease and funding research to find a cure for Juvenile Myositis, including Juvenile Dermatomyositis and Juvenile Polymyositis.
Myositis UK
Myositis UK is a charity in the United Kingdom established in 1985 by Les and Irene Oakley after their daughter was diagnosed with juvenile dermatomyositis at the age of 6 years. The charity provides advice and information to those affected by dermatomyositis, polymyositis, inclusion body myositis and juvenile dermatomyositis. The charity funds research and is dedicated to discovering a better understanding, quicker diagnosis, improved treatments and hopefully a cure.
American College of Rheumatology
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) is the professional organization of rheumatologists and associated health professionals who share a dedication to healing, preventing disability, and curing the more than 100 types of arthritis and related disabling and sometimes fatal disorders of the joints, muscles, and bones. Members include practicing physicians, research scientists, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, psychologists, and social workers.
European League Against Rheumatism
The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) is the organization which represents the patient, health professional and scientific societies of rheumatology of all the European nations. EULAR endeavors to stimulate, promote, and support the research, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of rheumatic diseases. In line with UEMS, EULAR defines rheumatology as including rheumatic diseases of the connective tissue, locomotor and musculoskeletal systems.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
The mission of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases is to support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases, the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research, and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases.
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
The goals of ORDR are to identify, stimulate, coordinate and support research to respond to the needs of patients who have any one of the approximately 6,800 rare diseases known today.
National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) conducts and supports research on brain and nervous system disorders. The mission of the NINDS is to reduce the burden of neurological disease?a burden borne by every age group, every segment of society, and people all over the world.