Thank you for the outpouring of support over the holidays. We have reached 100% of our $1 million dollar goal! Your powerful generosity is pushing us over the top, making it a banner year-end for Cure JM.

We are incredibly grateful.

Your support is helping fund new JM treatments and improving clinical care for our kids, giving them hope for a future free of the challenges of JM.

We will continue to follow up with updates on our building momentum into the new year. 

You are a true Hope Hero! View a message of appreciation from our families here.

Austin Krainz began his childhood like many before his world forever changed due to a rare disease diagnosis. At an early age, Austin was fascinated with cars and enjoyed playing racing games and watching Formula 1 with his dad. The early childhood excitement was the spark of a budding passion. 

That early passion took a detour due to a juvenile dermatomyositis diagnosis when he was seven years old, after first showing signs of the disease a year and a half earlier. Austin was diagnosed during a time when little was known about JDM, and there were very few juvenile myositis specialists in the U.S. In fact, Austin began to travel outside of the country’s largest metropolitan city (his native New York City) and began treatment under JM pioneer Dr. Lauren Pachman.

After battling for over a decade, Austin achieved remission and is pursuing professional racing in Porchse’s GT America series, fulfilling a childhood dream with his father by his side as a teammate and co-pilot.

The Cure JM founding crew kicked off the New Year in Southern California, where it all began 21 years ago, with a charity Tennis and Pickleball Tournament in partnership with Global Genes.

Compete 4 Cures is a festive and competitive event with all proceeds benefitting Cure JM’s mission of finding better treatments for JM while improving the lives of children and families affected by juvenile myositis.



Dozens of competitive and fun-loving tennis and pickleball enthusiasts joined the action to raise over $19,000 for Cure JM through raffles and a silent auction!

What a way to kickstart the New Year! We look forward to this event becoming a community staple and growing across our regional chapters.

For more info and support on bringing benefit events like this to your area, visit www.curejm.org/diyfundraising

We are excited to bring the Family Conference experience to the regional and local levels for all JM families nationwide in 2024. Join us for empowering connection and learning.  

Our families will join sessions with leading doctors, sharing the best treatment options, new research findings, and useful tips to improve your child's care.

Meet other JM families at an upcoming educational Family Day or Regional Conference in your area. Learn the latest in JM research and care while meeting others who share similar journeys.

Click here for a list of 2024 events and details.

Hundreds of Cure JM families and friends are coming together in their regions to walk together for a brighter future! 

You can join the fight by taking important steps towards progress and a cure!

Walk Strong events feature food, fun, and friendship as our families celebrate the power of community and walk for progress. There is fun for the whole family, including children, teens, and young adults.

Upcoming walks:  RSVP here to join a walk in your region!



• Southern California - Saturday, February 24th
• Kansas City - Saturday, April 13th
• Dallas, TX - Saturday, April 20th 
• Metro D.C. - Sunday, April 28th
• Pittsburgh, PA - Sunday, April 28 
• Chicagoland, IL Sunday, May 5
• Pacific Northwest Saturday, May 11 
• Cincinnati Sunday, May 19
• New York/ Connecticut Sunday, May 19
• Reno June
• Austin, TX - Saturday, October 5th
• Houston, TX - October 12th
• Tampa, Florida Saturday, October 26th
• Raleigh-Durham - October TBD
• Philadelphia, PA - October TBD

Don’t see your town listed? Contact Nicole.Ryba@curejm.org to learn more about walking from home or starting a walk.

We are excited to share a special educational support opportunity for collegiate JM patients who are using their own experience to lead and inspire.

The Pioneers in JM Advocates Scholarship is a new scholarship program honoring the founding members of Cure JM’s inaugural Medical Advisory Board and pioneering JM researchers and clinicians, Drs. Lauren M. Pachman, Ann M. Reed and Lisa G. Rider.  

These scholarships are generously funded by founding board members.

The Pioneers in JM Advocates Scholarship is intended to be awarded to three deserving students with juvenile myositis who:

•  Impact the juvenile myositis community through their volunteer and leadership efforts
• Inspire the juvenile myositis community by overcoming adversity while empowering others to do the same

To learn more about this program and full details, click the button below.