Volunteer Spotlight- Kristine Alderfer

As a member of the Cure JM community, you have likely heard the name Kristine Alderfer, a devoted parent of a teen with JM who has become a leader, serving as the President of our Board of Directors.

Kristine has been involved in Cure JM through volunteer roles for many years, and her involvement has become a family affair, as her daughter Katherine is a patient advocate for others with the disease. For over a decade, the Alderfer family has volunteered their time and talents to deliver a lasting impact on our mission. The family has hosted countless JM research fundraisers, including Christmas Shop for a Cure, Evening Under The Stars, and Cure JM marathons.

Most recently, Kristine has taken her leadership to new heights, serving as the Volunteer Chair of Cure JM’s National Family Conference.

We would like to thank the Alderfer family for carrying out the work that supports our community. Click below to hear about Kristine and Katherine’s rare disease journey.

Read Kristine’s Story

2025 Family Conference Finding Hope

Erin and Madi’s Story: Finding Hope at the Cure JM Family Conference

In February 2023, Erin Hicks and her daughter Madi faced a life-altering moment. After a visit to the National Institutes of Health in Seattle, Madi, a vibrant 12-year-old soccer player from Kansas City, Missouri, was diagnosed with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). “We walked out feeling overwhelmed and lost,” Erin recalls. Research fueled panic as Madi’s condition worsened, her energy fading on the soccer field. Hope was slipping away.

Love Letter to a Grandparent, series 2

Love Letter to a Grandparent

Dear Grandma and Grandpa, I miss you and really wish we lived closer to each other. I love when you send my mommy pictures of

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