Sari, a young gymnast, shares her story from the early struggles at diagnosis through the brighter days of hope and her motivation to get involved in Cure JM to help others.

“It’s important to know that there is always light within a dark tunnel. You just have to have the right mindset to see it.”

Crucial to Sari’s mindset was the people around her, inspiring her each day. Her family and friends supported her, and she is most grateful for their compassion and strength. It’s what helped her continue loving life. Sari has reached a new chapter in life, one of giving back to the autoimmune and JM community. She found Cure JM online when researching organizations dedicated to the disease.

Click below to learn more about Sari's journey.

Getting the Diagnosis with Megan Curran, MD

This summer, we sat down with Dr. Megan Curran to discuss the importance of getting a timely and accurate diagnosis, along with what steps should be taken for all JM patients.

With juvenile myositis being so rare, getting a diagnosis can be a challenge for some families. A timely diagnosis can be a critical factor in JM management and positive treatment responses.

Watch this video with Dr. Megan Curran, MD of Children's Hospital Colorado, and the Cure JM Clinical Care Network, addressing the juvenile myositis diagnosis process for patients and families. To review our new diagnosis resource page, please visit www.curejm.org/getting-the-diagnosis.

National Grandparents' Day is quickly approaching, and we are honored to show our appreciation for all of the grandparents who support our kids, teens, and young adults.

The grandparent volunteers of Cure JM’s Grandparent Council are generously sending a small "thank you" gift to all JM grandparents. This small token of appreciation is meant to honor your dedication to our rare disease warriors.

Receive your complimentary gift by signing up below.

Parents and families, please share this message with the grandparents in your family.

Twenty years ago, Cure JM co-founders Tom and Shari Hume set up the Foundation’s first-ever DIY fundraiser to seed important research funding. What was the fundraiser of choice? Considering the couple had young children, a lemonade stand was the perfect fit to launch a rare disease nonprofit during humble beginnings.

Fast forward 20 years and $23 million invested in juvenile myositis research later, we have come full circle, paying homage to our early DIY roots. In 2023, we are bringing the lemonade stand back!

We’re inviting families to join us between now and October 3rd to cap off a great 20th year with their own lemonade stands. This is a great opportunity for anyone in the family to join the fight in a fun way.

Click the button below to read the full story and join us in hosting your own lemonade stand.

The George Washington University Myositis Center is conducting a study to better understand how juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) influences a person’s ability to participate in physical activities. The team would also like to observe any differences between people with JDM and their siblings who do NOT have JDM.

The study aims to:

• Provide researchers with valuable information about JDM and how it affects people’s ability to participate in physical activities. 
• Provide researchers with information about fatigue and how it affects individuals with JDM.
• Give physicians a better understanding of JDM.
• Support you (or your child) and others battling JDM by helping researchers learn how to approach and develop new and better treatments for JDM.

For more information on the study specifics and FAQs, visit jdmplay.smhs.gwu.edu or contact the study team at jdm@gwu.edu

As we round out our 20th year, we are excited to share upcoming regional and virtual community events that will impact our mission for the rest of the year.

This updated page is your single stop for "being in the know" on upcoming chapter events, council meetings, and educational symposiums happening in person and virtually.

Click the button below for a full list of the latest events happening in your area or virtually to connect with others in our JM community.

Have a regional event or DIY fundraiser that you would like featured? Please email betsy.leon@curejm.org with the dates and details.