YOU ARE DRIVING CURE JM’S VISION FOR 2022

Because of your amazing efforts on Giving Tuesday, we have raised more than $XXX,000 to fund vital JM research and to realize our vision for 2022.

Your generous gifts will be put right to work making Cure JM’s vision for 2022 possible, including:

• Investing heavily in new treatments
• Two clinical trials
• Adding three new Centers of Excellence
• Establishing the Cure JM Clinical Care network

There is still time to make a gift to support our ambitious goals for next year. Your gift will be matched, dollar-for-dollar.

 MAKE A GIFT 

Thank you for your extraordinary commitment.

Yes, we can do this!

CURE JM BOARD OF DIRECTOR UPDATES

Our great thanks to Ragan Cantrelle for her xx years of service as the Secretary of Cure JM’s Board of Directors.

Ragan served not only as Secretary of the Cure JM Board of Directors but volunteered as a Family Support Network Liaison for many years. She became involved with the foundation shortly after her first experience with the Cure JM Conference in Austin, TX. Ragan and Cord ran the Austin Half Marathon in honor of their son Cooper who was diagnosed with JDM in November of 2008 at age 6. They were inspired by his strength and determination and were so glad that he and his brother were able to be at the finish line when they crossed. Thank you, Ragan for all of your contributions!

Ragan is succeeded by Denise Koch, who will serve not only as Secretary but also Chair of the National Leadership Council.

Welcome our newly appointed Directors, Karen Berman, MBA, and Zachary Harrison.

In 2016, Karen started volunteering with Cure JM after her daughter was diagnosed with JDM. Karen was a fundraising coach for the 2017 and 2018 Chicago Chapter Walk Strong events. In 2019, she received the Cure JM Hero Award for exceptional service as the Chairperson of the Chicago Walk Strong to Cure JM, which raised $135K.

Karen has been national Co-Chair for the 2020 and 2021 Walk Strong Across America events and plans to continue in this role in 2022.

After Zack’s daughter, Sydney was diagnosed with JM in 2015, he raised funds for Cure JM. His notable efforts on the local level and service with the Tri-Village Lions Club have been truly impactful. Zack and his wife Sandi are current co-presidents of the Cure JM Ohio Chapter and are an important part of the Cure JM National Leadership Council. Out of their chapter leadership, two very successful Walk Strong to Cure JM fundraising events were made possible as well as three Swing Fore-a-Cure Columbus golf tournaments organized by Zack’s co-worker Jeff Bornemiss.

You can read more about Karen here and Zachary here.

CURE JM TOWN HALL: HOW TO TALK TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT MENTAL & EMOTIONAL HEALTH

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9 @ 8PM EST, 7PM CST, 6PM MT, 5PM PST

We know that living with Juvenile Dermatomyositis affects the physical as well as emotional health of our children. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish “normal” behavior and feelings from the more difficult ones of depression and anxiety.

But it is important for us to talk to our children so they can find ways to share their experiences. We know that kids who have mental health support do better overall.

Hear about ways to engage your children in these conversations from a child psychologist, a pediatric rheumatologist experienced in chronic illness and JM, a young adult living with JM, and a JM mother whose been on this journey for 15 years.

 REGISTER NOW 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Meet the speakers:

Presenting Sponsors of the Cure JM Family News

Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact familynews@curejm.org