Join Us On Long Island in October For Our Third Annual Walk Strong to Cure JM
On April 2nd, 2014 our lives were turned completely upside-down when our 7-year old son Bradley was diagnosed with Juvenile Dermatomyositis, a rare, life-threatening autoimmune disease which causes the body’s own immune system to attack healthy cells and tissues. It can affect virtually any system of the body, the heart, lungs, skin, muscles, and more. At the time, Bradley was in first grade. He could barely walk, needed help getting in and out of bed, as well as getting dressed and brushing his hair. He had trouble swallowing. Our very active 7-year old was "stuck in a body that doesn't work" (His words, not mine).
There are no FDA approved medications that are indicated for what Bradley has. Most of his treatments have been derived by treatment for other diseases. His medication regime has included weekly chemotherapy injections for over four years, hospitalizations every 30 days for IVIG infusions for three years (that last about 14 hours), and steroids medications that weaken his immune system so his body will stop attacking itself. He has also sustained multiple emergency room visits as well as hospitalizations for the ugly side effects from these medicines.
Throughout it all, he always has a smile on his face. You may never know just by looking at him the bravery and courage that he has every, single, day.
I'm participating in Walk Strong to Cure JM which is on Sunday, October 6th, 2019 at 9am at Bradley's middle school; the James Wilson Young Middle School in Bayport, New York. All proceeds benefit Cure JM Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to finding a cure for Juvenile Myositis, And there is no cure....YET!
But with support from friends and family like you, we’re getting closer to better treatments and a cure.
With this continued great support from families and friends, we were able to fund research at 20 prestigious research institutions, helping advance JM research at an unprecedented pace!
Your gift now will keep that momentum going. Every donation goes straight to Cure JM, and since inception over 90% of all funds raised go directly to research.
With endless gratitude,
The Van Ness Family
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