James was born healthy.  At the age of 3 1/2, all of that changed.

James' first symptom was a rash at age 2 1/2. Then the GI issues hit. Then the falling. So much falling.

On November 1, 2007, we carried James into our local children's hospital. James was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM).

juvenile - under 18
myo - muscle
sitis - inflammation

Over the years, James has accumulated more and more diagnoses. So many more. Most are directly or indirectly related to his JDM, or the medicines used to treat it.

JDM is a lonely diagnosis. While we have found community online, there is very little locally. James has no friends with JDM.

JDM is often misunderstood, and so is James. For every action James takes, there is a cost he must pay later. Very few people, often including his family, understand why James simply cannot do more. Why he is resting. Or asleep. Again.

JDM has damaged his muscles and left him with chronic muscle pain.

James takes an average of 35 pills a day. And a weekly injection. And monthly infusions. And he has resumed an infusion regimen which is designed to wipe the B cells in his immune system.

James' treatments allow him to access his life. Not fully. Not enough. But much better than not at all.

With the current treatments available, James is not likely to go into remission.

This is why we support the Washington, DC Walk Strong to Cure JM.

Please show James your support by joining us on September 21 at the RIO in Gaithersburg, MD.

Donations are amazing and very, very much appreciated. But, more than anything, James would just love to see you there. 

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We're participating in Walk Strong to Cure JM. All proceeds benefit Cure JM Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to finding a cure for Juvenile Myositis, a life-threatening 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.  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.

Join the team and fight against JM/JDM today!