A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE May 2025 AS "myositis awareness MONTH" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

 

Whereas, nearly one in ten Americans have rare diseases. Many residents of South Carolina are among those affected by myositis, a rare disease; and

 

Whereas, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, collectively referred to as myositis, are rare, chronic, autoimmune, muscle-wasting diseases. Myositis often features debilitating muscle inflammation and other symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, and trouble swallowing, and can result in myositis-associated interstitial lung disease; and

 

Whereas, more research is needed to identify the causes of and modes of treatments for the myositis group of diseases, which includes anti-MDA5 autoantibody positive myositis, antisynthetase syndrome, dermatomyositis, juvenile dermatomyositis, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, inclusion body myositis, and polymyositis; and

 

Whereas, myositis is difficult to diagnose, so treatment is often delayed, and individuals often experience difficulty finding a health care provider with expertise in their condition; and

 

Whereas, all who suffer with myositis experience reduced quality of life, especially as no cure has been found and life expectancy is shortened. Women and people of color with all forms of myositis experience particularly pronounced health disparities; and

 

Whereas, The Myositis Association (TMA) is the leading international patient advocacy organization serving the myositis community, focusing on patient services, education, research, and public awareness in order to build a world without myositis.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize May 2025 as "Myositis Awareness Month" in South Carolina.

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