Our family recently recognized the 10th year since our daughter's transverse myelitis (TM) diagnosis. What a road it has been! While we have experienced losses, so have we gained something. The TMA has provided so many memorable people who have inspired and enriched our lives with their personal stories of strength, bravery, and generosity in the face of this challenging condition. Week after week, I am contacted by many who are trying to come to grips with their TM diagnosis and manage the various symptoms associated with TM. Each person's struggle drives home the importance of the information provided by TMA and the mutual support offered by TMA members to each other. Thank you to the many who have given generously of their time and efforts to others and the TMA at large in spite of the additional hardships that either their TM symptoms or caring for a family member with TM has thrust upon them.

Congratulations to Cathy Dorocak for beginning the important fundraising program "Reading for Rachel" in honor of her young daughter who was diagnosed with TM at age 6 1/2 months. Congratulations to Cody Unser for developing the "First Step Foundation" to promote treatment and TM research (www.codysfirststep.org). Kudos to Pamela Schechter for organizing a meeting held May 27th in celebration of the first anniversary of the New York State "Transverse Myelitis Awareness Day." Bravo to Richard Boyle (Gunny) for getting the General Assembly of the State of Ohio to pass a Resolution setting June 6, 2000 as Transverse Myelitis Day, and for his soon to be published book that describes his experiences with TM. Good work Board member, Debbie Capen, who traveled across the country to attend and support the awareness event in New York. Thank you to Medical Advisory Board member Dr. Kerr for speaking at the New York support group and, as is so characteristic, for giving so much professionally and personally to the TMA and to TM treatment and research. Thank you to Ann Moran from Ireland who took it upon herself to increase TM awareness during a meeting held by the National Broadcasting Service in her hometown which led to her appearance on the radio during which she talked about her experience with TM. Thank you to Errol White of the Transverse Myelitis Support Group in Australia who helped reduce TMA publishing and mailing costs by printing and mailing the last newsletter and this newsletter to our members in Australia and New Zealand. They also held their second TM Awareness Day on May 17th. I also want to thank the members of the Medical Advisory Board for their ongoing involvement and help in the Association. Thank you to Perry Peltier and Board member, Paula Lazzeri, for producing and distributing the TMA Symposium videotapes. And of course, I must say a special thank you to Sandy Siegel and his undaunted devotion to the TMA newsletter. I know that I have neglected to acknowledge so many others who have made generous and noteworthy contributions of their time and efforts to support the TMA. These extraordinary people of the TMA membership are making a difference in this Association's efforts to increase awareness of TM and TMA, to offer support where and when it is needed, and to encourage in every practical way possible research that will eventually have a positive impact on those diagnosed with TM. We are all more hopeful because of everyone's work.

During the past 6 months, TMA has made positive strides towards its goals for 2000 (see January 2000 newsletter). Video tapes of TMA's First International Symposium have been completed and made available for purchase (see January 2000 newsletter or website). Our talented website director, Jim Lubin, continues to add vital information to the TMA website (www.myelitis.org). The effect that this site has had in allowing quick access to pertinent information is immeasurable. Those who are recently diagnosed, often mention the quality and helpfulness of our site! Jim consistently enhances and updates the website so if you haven't visited it lately, please take another look at what a wonderful resource it is. Additionally, we have had a continuation of generosity by TMA members new and old who have donated funds that continue to support the Association's good work. Small and large donations are what makes it possible to meet so many of TMA's functions, such as this newsletter! The future of TMA depends on membership support of the Association's general operational activities and services. Please consider giving to TMA so we can continue to grow and develop, and meet the needs of our membership.

In the last newsletter the Board of Directors also announced the creation of the TM Endowment Fund. The purpose of this fund is to generate a lasting source of funds that can contribute to ongoing and future TM cure research efforts. The Board put forth a "challenge goal" to our membership to help build the Endowment Fund to $100,000 during the year 2000. We have received limited response to this challenge so far, but we are happy to say that the funds generated by the "Reading for Rachael" program have been designated for the fund. This brings the amount in the fund as of June to $6,550. TMA is hopeful that the "challenge goal" will be met by the end of the year. Every one of us wants to see medical research occur which will result in quicker diagnosis and initial treatment, improved and more successful treatments, and innovative and effective therapies that improves life for all those with TM. This takes a strong commitment by our TMA community to fund this kind of research. We are lucky that in recent months, perhaps for the first time ever, there has been an increase in public awareness and education on TM. While this increase in awareness may ultimately assist us in these efforts, we still need to strengthen our organizational advocacy and support for cure research. The Endowment Fund is a very specific and direct way to take this lead. As the Endowment Fund does not support TMA's operational activities and services, please consider an additional contribution as part of meeting the "challenge," or consider developing a local fundraising event/program that will benefit the Endowment Fund.

And lastly, our 2000 goal of having TMA members initiate awareness activities in at least six states and four countries is well underway with positive actions/events having occurred in New York, New Mexico, Ohio, Ireland and Australia. In previous newsletters I have discussed what I called "State and National Volunteer Representatives activities" and many individuals have contacted me and expressed interest in being involved in such roles. Following much consideration, it now seems best for TMA and our members to not formalize such roles for specific individuals, but to continue to support all persons with an interest in developing or participating in such activities to work together to develop these supports and working groups. After a working support group gets started, the group can identify a specific representative or representatives for more formal coordination purposes. This should be a more effective and inclusive way to jump start local support activities. We hope those that have been interested in such activities or roles will now move forward and develop contacts with other TMA members to build connections, offer mutual support to existing members and those newly diagnosed, and to undertake TM awareness activities.

Responsibilities and Duties, and Guidelines for persons interested in developing local groups and serving as State and National Volunteer Representatives have been completed and will be included on our website. This information along with other information available from the TMA website may be accessed and replicated for these purposes. We also encourage you to be in contact with Pamela Schechter who has been developing a support group in New York. We have asked Pamela to chair this effort for TMA by being available to share the process that she undertook in her home state. This will hopefully be a resource to people who may be attempting similar processes.

The Board continues to work with the Johns Hopkins Transverse Myelopathy Center on the development of the Second International Symposium on Transverse Myelitis that is planned to be held July 12 - 15, 2001 in Baltimore, Maryland. Thank you to everyone who filled out the Patient and Family Needs Survey from the January 2000 newsletter. Your input will assist greatly in ensuring that the Symposium program addresses the needs of TMA members. TMA members will receive registration notices/packets by the end of the year. This will be an incredible opportunity to forge new relationships and to continue the Association's momentum that was started with the last Symposium. My best to all.