In August 2021, Marlowe was diagnosed with an extremely rare, life-threatening autoimmune disease, juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), after more than a year of missed diagnosis and a long summer of labs, scans, tests, and biopsy surgery. We feel very lucky to finally find doctors who were able to spot the signs and start treatment immediately. She currently takes several daily medications (including high-dose steroids), weekly chemo injections, and monthly intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions to stop the progression of her disease.

Right now, there are no FDA-approved treatments and no cure for JDM. Current treatments are largely borrowed from childhood cancer treatments and, though lifesaving, these treatments have debilitating side effects, many of which Marlowe is dealing with right now. That’s why we are raising funds for the Cure JM Foundation. This amazing group promotes awareness of JDM (so other families don’t have to wait years to find doctors who know what this is), supports families like ours, and funds research for better treatments and a cure for JDM.

With your support, Cure JM is leading the way in groundbreaking JDM/JM research. We are optimistic that several of the drugs in the research pipeline will improve the lives of kids like Marlowe: one drug is a possible steroid replacement—a new steroid with far fewer side effects, and another has already shown improvement in muscle strength and skin conditions in JM patients. Both drugs are on their way to clinical trials in JM patients, thanks to funding from Cure JM.

• Click Donate Now to make an online gift.
• Checks can be made out to Cure JM and mailed to Cure JM, P.O. Box 45768, Baltimore, MD 21297.

 This extraordinary progress is made possible by friends and family like you!