Grandparent Alliance

What is the Grandparent Alliance? 

We are grandparents of a grandchild living with juvenile myositis. 

Our mission as grandparents is to learn about juvenile myositis and support each other so we can support our grandchildren and their families.  We also help advance Cure JM’s mission to give our grandchildren the best shot at a bright future ahead.

Our Goals Are: 

To connect with other grandparents.  We’re stronger together. By connecting with other grandparents and learning their stories, we can better understand juvenile myositis and how we can support our grandchildren and their siblings and families.  

To support our grandchildren and their families.  Through the Grandparent Council, grandparents will be introduced to other grandparents and can connect with other grandparents to learn how they support their grandchildren.

To learn about Juvenile Myositis.  Juvenile Myositis care and research is an emerging field.  By learning about this disease, we can best support our families. 

To make a difference for our grandchildren.  Grandparents have expressed interest in getting involved.  By getting involved, we can move Cure JM’s mission forward for our grandchildren.  This will help give our grandchildren the best shot possible at a full life ahead. Many hands make light work. 

When does the Grandparent Alliance meet? 

The Grandparent Alliance meets monthly by phone.  The monthly phone meetings are a chance for Grandparents to connect with each other and plan the work of the Grandparent Alliance.  

The Grandparent Alliance meeting will also have occasional guest speakers, such as researchers and physicians, who will give updates on the latest in juvenile myositis research and care.  These sessions provide grandparents with an opportunity to learn and ask questions of the researchers and physicians. 

We also meet in person every other year at the Cure JM Family Conference.

All grandparents are invited to participate. To be added to the invitation list, please contact Betsy Leon at Betsy.Leon@curejm.org

Grandparent Alliance Leadership – Randy Putt

Alexandra’s Story

Alexandra grew up in Philadelphia. At eight years old, she was diagnosed with juvenile dermatomyositis. Her first symptom was pain in her cuticles whenever she

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.

Join Cure JM

Membership is free and we’ll connect you with a network of support, encouragement, and resources.

Cure JM supports families, patients, and the juvenile myositis research community.

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