SR 94: Relative to Myositis Awareness Month.

WHEREAS, Nearly one in 10 Americans have rare diseases, including residents of California affected by myositis; and

WHEREAS, Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, collectively referred to as myositis, are rare, chronic, autoimmune muscle wasting diseases; and

WHEREAS, Myositis often features debilitating muscle inflammation and other symptoms, including pain, fatigue, and trouble swallowing. Myositis 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, including anti-MDA5 autoantibody positive myositis, anti-synthetase 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 generally 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, especially for those with inclusion body myositis; and

WHEREAS, Women and people of color with all forms of myositis experience particularly pronounced health disparities; and

WHEREAS, The Myositis Association is the leading international patient advocacy organization serving the myositis community, focusing on patient services, education, research, and public awareness, so as to achieve a world without myositis; and

WHEREAS, The Myositis Association is organizing a nationwide observance of Myositis Awareness Month for the month of May 2026; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate observes the month of May 2026 as Myositis Awareness Month in California, and encourages all citizens of California to come together, learn more about all the forms of myositis and its symptoms, and support the families in our community who will benefit from greater awareness of these rare diseases; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.