May represents Myositis Awareness Month. A month to honor the journeys and heroes that represent our community. This month, we are proud to share the journey of a JM patient who is sharing her story with the hope that it will inspire others as they navigate their own paths.

Meet Daysia, a high school student living with juvenile myositis, sharing her experience through a feature-length documentary film. The film chronicles the trials and tribulations that Daysia and her family have endured on her journey.

The idea for Daysia's film came about from her wish granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For more of Daysia's story, watch the full film by clicking below.

On behalf of Cure JM, we would like to honor and thank the mothers and grandmothers that care for and improve the lives of our kids battling juvenile myositis. You are a powerful force in the lives of our families and a powerful force in making our progress possible. We thank you today and every day!

Thank you for volunteering, supporting, and serving our mission day in and day out!

Join us on May 18th, at 1:00 pm Eastern for our new "Ask The Doc" series. In addition to inviting JM caretakers, parents, and grandparents, we welcome our teen and young adult patients to join this session.

Why Exercise and Nutrition are Important in Battling JM: What Parents and Patients Need to Know

What role does exercise and nutrition play in JM treatment? When should JM patients be cleared for exercise? What effects does exercise have on disease outcomes?

Learn more in our town hall and Q&A featuring Brian Feldman, MD, MSc, FRCP of The Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto.) Dr. Feldman has made contributions to the understanding of the prognosis and treatment of JDM and the role of exercise, diet supplementation, and sleep in juvenile chronic diseases.

All attending are invited to stay on after the Q&A for a brief social gathering. We will break out into separate Zoom rooms for teens and young adults, parents, and grandparents to connect.

Register today to secure your spot for this informative session with a leading expert from the Cure JM Clinical Care Network. 

We know family life is busy! Any configuration of your family is welcome to attend the Cure JM Family Conference. 

Some families choose to send just one parent, one grandparent, one parent with their child, or whatever works best for your family!  

Complimentary kid and teen activities are included during all sessions, so kids will be busy while parents are learning. Your registration also includes some meals, snacks, and the exciting Saturday awards dinner & auction. Please reach out if you have any questions at all, conference@curejm.org

Join in-person sessions that highlight how the Cure JM Foundation is working to improve the lives of families battling JM, from the latest research funding to the expansion of the Cure JM Clinical Care Network nationwide and beyond. The conference will include insights from world-class JM researchers that have led clinical trials on promising treatments, as well as lots of social opportunities to connect with other JM families who can relate to your journey.

Register today to secure your spot! Meeting space and hotel rooms at the Marriott Washingtonian Hotel are limited and may be capped before June 7th, 2023.

As a fellow JM parent, I wanted to share why I'm participating in the Walk Strong from Home, Cure JM's signature national fundraiser.    

This year, I'm walking for my twin daughters, Maddie and Olivia. 

"I walk for my girls. They're my biggest heroes! They are so strong and never give up, so I won't give up on them. I'm representing the state of New York. Please join me in representing your state by walking from home."

Walking from home is an easy and fun way to join the fight in your community on your time! Sign up to walk from home and represent your state at www.curejm.org/walkstrong.

You can walk from home any day between now and July 4th.

There is progress building this year with new clinical trials, our national and international research programs, drug discovery and genetics programs, and medical education for our families and doctors. The Walk Strong from Home is our flagship community fundraiser, and your participation will help us reach our goal of raising $650,000 for this critical work.

Your involvement in Walk Strong makes progress possible for our children, teens, and young adults battling juvenile myositis. Thank you for joining the fight!