Juvenile myositis is a rare and devastating disease that causes a child's immune system to attack their own muscles and body. Not too long ago, too many children didn't survive because doctors knew little about the disease and diagnoses often came too late. Today, thanks to the work of Cure JM and supporters like you, children are being diagnosed more quickly, have access to better treatments, and have more reasons for hope than ever before. Early diagnosis is a key factor for our kids, because the muscle damage caused by the disease is permanent. 

My daughter Katherine was diagnosed with Juvenile Dermatomyositis at just 4 years old. I still remember how difficult those early years were, not only watching her battle JM, but watching her struggle with the very medications, especially steroids, that she needed to get better. Katherine battled through many inpatient visits, weekly hospital trips for infusions, ER visits, missing out on school and oftentimes the inability to walk. We had to say no to family functions, friend's birthday parties and even church attendance.  Our drive to the hospital is 2 hours each way and we often did that drive during tantrums, snow storms and a lot of muscle pain.  It was hell for the entire family, but especially for poor Katherine. For years, our lives revolved around these treatments, and today (at the age of 20) we still deal with the side effects and limitations. 

Now, with Katherine a sophomore in college, and thriving, these treatments are something I am incredibly grateful for. The memories are still there and we will never forget, but our experience taught me that getting better should not have to be so hard. That is why I became involved with Cure JM and why I am honored to now serve as Chair of its Board of Directors. I have served as a board volunteer for 13 years and I am driven by my passion to help all kids with this disease. No one should ever have to suffer the way my daughter did.  We can do better for our children. 

We have made tremendous progress, but our work is far from finished. I have had a front row seat to much of this progress and feel so proud of our organization. We have come a long way, we have helped a lot of families, but we still have so much work to do.  After all of these years, there is still not one single drug FDA approved for use in JDM. This is unacceptable. 

I’m fundraising so that the next generation of children with JM can have better treatments, fewer side effects, and the opportunity to grow up and pursue all the things their families dream of for them. I am fundraising so that the parents who come after me, don't have to fight battles for every treatment and hopefully don't have to push their kids around in a wheelchair. 

I hope you’ll join me in helping make that future possible. We need you! 

But there is still work to do.

For the first time, we are standing on the precipice of breakthroughs that could fundamentally change the future of JM. New treatments are advancing through clinical trials, and we are closer than ever to a cure. At the same time, reductions in research funding threaten to slow that progress. 

We cannot afford to let momentum slip backward when so much is finally moving forward.

Because JM is so rare, progress only happens when families and supporters come together to fund research, improve care, and accelerate new treatments.

My family's goal is to raise $5,000 to help ensure that this momentum continues. Right now, every donation will be doubled through the Coffey Family Match, making your impact go twice as far.

Reaching our goal is more important than ever, and we hope you will join us in helping move us closer to a future free from JM.

Please click "Donate Now" to make a gift.

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 our family's name in the memo line.

Thank you for making such a meaningful difference.

Together, we can ensure that no child fights JM alone.

A Cure Starts With You.