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THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!
In honor of National Volunteer Week, we want to send a heartfelt thank you to all of the volunteers that make Cure JM such an outstanding organization. In 2016, over 500 Cure JM families, friends, and supporters volunteered over 60,000 hours toward Cure JM's mission to find a cure for Juvenile Myositis and improve the lives of families affected by JM. Thank you for making a difference and giving so many families hope.
WE NEED YOUR INPUT
Based on an earlier survey and a focus group of Cure JM families at our annual conference, we have come up with 20 research priorities. We need your help to narrow these down to SEVEN, so that Cure JM can focus our efforts on research that matters most to our Cure JM families.
Please take this quick 4-question survey to select the research topics that matter most to you. Your input by Wednesday, May 3rd at 11:59 PM EST would be greatly appreciated!
FOREVER FRIENDS
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Cure JM “Forever Friends” Clara (age 5) and Cierra (age 5)
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Five year old Clara was diagnosed with JDM last year at the age of 5.
Despite all of the ups and downs of being diagnosed with a rare disease, her family has found hope through their involvement with Cure JM’s Chicago Chapter.
“None of us like this disease at all but the community and joy in the midst of it somehow makes it all seem OK,” says Clara's mom Lynn.
“These girls are now friends forever.”
View the upcoming events below to connect with Cure JM families in your region or contact Shannon Malloy at shannon.malloy@curejm.org for help starting an event in your area.
JOIN US AND
WALK STRONG TO CURE JM™
Cure JM is excited to announce five upcoming Walk strong to Cure JM™ family fundraising walks in 2017. Come out and join us at a walk near you! Each walk will feature fun, entertainment, food, and a family-friendly fundraising walk. And forward this invitation to your friends & family in the area of a walk. To learn more or register for a walk contact your local walk leader or lauren.alvord@curejm.org.
- CHICAGO, IL- Sunday, May 7, 2017
Busse Woods, Elk Grove Village, IL
Contact jennifer.coe@curejm.org or CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
- LONG ISLAND, NY - Saturday, May 13, 2017
Eisenhower Park, Long Island, NY
Contact tracy.vanness@curejm.org or CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sunday, June 4, 2017
RIO Washington Center, Gaithersburg, MD. Contact simonetta.donofrio@curejm.org or CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
- SEATTLE, WA - Saturday, October 7, 2017
Marymoor Park, Redmond, WA
Contact julie.shevlin@curejm.org or CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
- DALLAS/FORT WORTH, TX - Saturday, November 11, 2017
River Legacy Park, Arlington, TX
Contact jennifer.howard@curejm.org or CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
January 2018
Spring 2018
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join fellow Cure JM families and supporters at an upcoming event near you. View the complete list of events here.
- Swing for a Cure - April 27, Covington, LA. Contact ragan.cantrelle@curejm.org
- Houston Family Fun Afternoon & Chapter Organizing Meeting - April 29, The Woodlands, TX. Contact melissa.shelby@curejm.org.
- Dallas/Fort Worth Family Fun Afternoon & Chapter Organizing Meeting- April 30, Frisco, TX. Contact danielle.britten@curejm.org
- Jam for JM - May 13, Normal, IL. Contact jennifer.coe@curejm.org.
- Florida Family Fun Afternoon & Chapter Organizing Meeting- Saturday, May 20, Tampa, FL. Contact amy.gleason@curejm.org.
- Pacific Northwest Meet & Greet and Walk Kickoff Party - Sunday May 21, Woodinville, WA. Contact jana.sall@curejm.org
- Cowboy Brad Concert for Cure JM - Sat June 24, Estes Park, CO. Contact laurelcherie@gmail.com
- Crossfit for Cure JM - Sat July 15, Williamsville, NY. Contact colleengrant1@hotmail.com.
- Philadelphia Family Social Event - Sat July 15, Wayne, PA. Contact kate.ettingoff@curejm.org.
WELCOME JULIE SHEVLIN TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Shevlin Family receiving the Mason’s Miracle Award at the 2017 Cure JM Foundation National Conference |
Cure JM is excited to welcome Julie Shevlin to the Board of Directors. Julie and her family live outside of Seattle and have been involved with Cure JM since 2009 when her daughter Tessa was diagnosed with JDM at the age of four.
“I’m thrilled to have Julie join the BOD,” says Cure JM Chairman, Rhonda McKeever. “She brings great passion and creativity to make a difference. She’s also been a proven leader of many very successful events and leading the important Family Support Network for Cure JM.”
Since Tessa’s diagnosis Julie has been an instrumental part of many Cure JM efforts. Julie is currently the Director of Cure JM’s Family Support Network which offers peer-support to 2,900 Cure JM families around the world.
Julie and her husband Justyn have also led many exceptional fundraising efforts. In total, they have raised nearly $200,000 for JM research by leading the inaugural 2016 Pacific Northwest “Walk Strong to Cure JM,” a very successful auction and dinner at the Seattle Space Needle, a bowl and skate party, five annual garage sales, and countless online family fundraising campaigns.
“From our first experiences with Cure JM, my husband and I have always been impressed with how inspiring and uplifting Cure JM is,” says Julie. “We were afraid as JM parents that getting too involved with Cure JM would bring us down, but we found the complete opposite. The more involved we have been with Cure JM the more hope we see for JM families and it's exciting to be a part of it.”
Contact Julie at julie.shevlin@curejm.org |
