Almost nine years ago, our son Jesse was diagnosed with Juvenile Myositis (JM), a rare and devastating disease in which a child’s immune system attacks their own muscles and body.

Within months of his diagnosis, Jesse lost the ability to walk, lift his head, or even hold a fork. Powerful medications eventually brought his disease into remission—something we are deeply grateful for—but the impact of JM remains. Jesse has never regained his full strength or stamina, he continues to experience pain in his muscles and joints, and sun exposure can be extremely fatiguing. The possibility of a flare-up is always present. Like every family affected by JM, we live with the knowledge that the disease can return.

But today, we also have more reason for hope than ever before.

Since Jesse’s diagnosis, we have witnessed remarkable progress in JM research, treatment, and care. Children are being diagnosed earlier, doctors understand the disease better, and promising new treatments are being studied that could change the lives of children with JM.

We are closer than ever to better treatments—and, we hope, one day a cure. But there is still much more work to do.

Because JM is so rare, progress depends on families and supporters coming together to fund research, improve care, and accelerate the development of new treatments.

Our family’s goal is to raise $10,000 for Cure JM. And right now, every donation will be doubled through the Coffey Family Match, making your gift go twice as far.

Your support helps Cure JM fund breakthrough research, provide families with critical resources and support, expand access to expert care, and give children like Jesse hope for a healthier future.

No gift is too small. Every contribution moves us another step toward a day when children no longer have to live with the pain, uncertainty, and limitations of JM.

Please click “Donate Now” to make a gift and help us reach our $10,000 goal.

If you prefer to give by check, please make it payable to Cure JM and mail it to:

Cure JM, P.O. Box 45768, Baltimore, MD 21297

Please include “Coffey Family Match – Jesse Westrom” in the memo so your gift will be counted toward the match.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and continued support of Jesse and our family. It means more to us than we can express.

Together, we can help create a future where no child has to fight JM—and where a cure is finally within reach.

A Cure Starts With You.