The
mission of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
(NIEHS) is to reduce the burden of human illness and dysfunction from
environmental causes by understanding each of these elements and how
they interrelate.
(http://www.niams.nih.gov)
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.
(http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov)
The
goals of ORD are to stimulate and coordinate research on rare diseases
and to support research to respond to the needs of patients who have
any one of the more than 6,000 rare diseases known today.
(http://www.ninds.nih.gov)
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.
(http://www.myositis.org)
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.
(http://www.rheumatology.org)
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.
(http://www.myositis.org.uk/)
The Myositis Support Group 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.