MYOSITIS CANADA LAUNCHES 2nd Annual #GiveMeMuscle Campaign

EDMONTON, AB--(Marketwired - February 01, 2017) - A Canadian charitable organization dedicated to helping improve the lives of people affected by a rare but debilitating muscle disease is launching its second annual Canada-wide awareness and fundraising campaign via social media.

On International Rare Disease Day, February 28, 2017, Myositis Canada will launch their second annual #GiveMeMuscle awareness campaign. Board members, patients, supporters and the public will be encouraged to post pictures and videos of their efforts to exercise & keep their muscles healthy; or for those affected with Myositis, to keep what muscle they have, working. Myositis Canada is issuing a challenge to families, friends and the general public to use the Give Me Muscle hashtag (#GiveMeMuscle) on social media and post photos or short videos of their exercise routines in order to drive people to our cause to improve fundraising efforts.

Myositis is a rare type of chronic muscle inflammation whose cause is unknown. There are 4 types of myositis:

• Dermatomyositis (DM)
• Inclusion-Body Myositis (IBM)
• Juvenile Forms of Myositis (JM)
• Polymyositis (PM)

Myositis Canada was formed in 2015 to raise awareness, encourage research and provide support to those suffering from this rare disease. The volunteer Board of Directors includes patients, family members and interested professionals, bringing diverse strengths and perspectives to the organization.

Myositis Canada envisions a world where myositis is quickly and accurately diagnosed and where successful treatments are in place. Many doctors across Canada have seen so few cases of Myositis that often patients go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed which leads to complications and at times a longer recovery period.

There are currently treatments for most forms of myositis, but there is no cure. Most forms of myositis can be treated but only about 20% of people affected make a full recovery, with flare-ups occurring over the span of a lifetime. Funds raised by Myositis Canada go directly towards research initiatives and patient support programs.

Last year's social media and fundraising effort -- #GiveMeMuscle -- was the launch of a Canada-wide awareness campaign within the medical community and the general public. It also gained the attention and support of renowned American fitness trainer, Tony Horton, creator of the P90X exercise regime, who posted his #GiveMeMuscle efforts on his Twitter and Instagram accounts; reaching thousands across the world. Numerous local fundraising initiatives provided resources to assist with the campaign. As well, Myositis Canada representatives participated in the July 2016 International Neurological Conference held in Toronto, which not only promoted the organization but provided a Canadian perspective.

Myositis Canada has also established a Trial Advocacy Group (TAG) whose aim is to attract researchers to conduct studies in Canada for all forms of myositis.

Donations to Myositis Canada can be made via PayPal on our website, by e-transfer or by cheque. Those wishing to donate by e-transfer or with a cheque are encouraged to contact our Treasurer, Patty Michael by email at treasurer@myositis.ca for further information.

To learn more about how you can be involved with the #GiveMeMuscle campaign, and to connect with a representative in your area. Visit us…

• on our website, www.myositis.ca
• on Twitter, @Myositis_Canada
• on Instagram, myositis_canada

Background Information:

Myositis Canada

• Myositis Canada is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by myositis.
• Formed in 2015, Myositis Canada is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors that includes patients, family members and interested professionals, bringing diverse strengths and perspectives to the organization.
• The organization achieved charitable status from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on December 2, 2015.
• Myositis Canada web
• The Myositis Association - US Partner association

What is myositis?

• The word myositis literally means inflammation of muscle; it describes inflammation or swelling of the muscle tissue that can result in rapid and tragic muscle loss; this can be caused by infection, injury, certain medicines, exercise, and chronic disease;
• Many doctors across Canada have seen so few cases of myositis that often patients go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed which leads to complications and at times a longer recovery period.
• Some of the chronic, or persistent, forms are idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, and those are the diseases we discuss here. "Idiopathic" means that the cause is unknown.
• Some of the chronic, or persistent, forms are idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. There are a number of types of myositis, they include:
  • Dermatomyositis (DM)
  • Inclusion-body myositis (IBM)
  • Juvenile forms of myositis (JM)
  • Polymyositis (PM)
• There are currently treatments for all forms of myositis except for inclusion-body myositis.
• The other forms of myositis can be treated but only about 20% of people affected make a full recovery, flare ups are often common over the span of a lifetime.
• As research continues into the causes, symptoms and effects of this disease, new forms of myositis are brought forward.