September 2025 Town Hall – TRANSFORMING CARE OVER THE LAST 35 YEARS

Dr. Feldman paints a ”then vs. now”’ picture of progress over the past 35 years, when JM care was fragmented and inconsistent, versus today’s coordinated approach. He discusses how these efforts are helping bring clinical trials from the research bench to the clinic exam room faster and accelerating real-world improvements for kids and families living with this rare disease.

Dr. Brian Feldman is chair of Cure JM’s Medical Advisory Board and a global leader in pediatric rheumatology. Based at the Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Dr. Feldman is internationally recognized for his contributions to clinical research and care delivery in childhood autoimmune diseases.

Research Update: misbehaving Mitochondria Linked to Juvenile Dermatomyositis. Dr. Christian Lood

Breakthrough Discovery: Misbehaving Mitochondria Linked to Juvenile Dermatomyositis

The generous support of our community has been instrumental in funding groundbreaking research this year, led by Dr. Christian Lood at the University of Washington and Cure JM’s Center of Excellence at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Dr. Lood’s team has identified calcified mitochondria in the muscle tissue of JDM patients with calcinosis – a finding that sheds new light on understanding JDM

Why I Walk- Ellen Stream

Ellen Stream’s Story: Walking and Quilting for JM Families

Ellen Stream’s love for her granddaughter, Brooklyn, fuels her commitment to the juvenile myositis community. When Brooklyn was diagnosed with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) at two and a half, Ellen faced a wave of fear. Would Brooklyn run and play like other kids? Could she enjoy school, sports, or friendships without the weight of infusions and flare-ups? Those early days brought uncertainty, but Ellen and Brooklyn’s other grandmother built a support system across miles, showing distance doesn’t dim love.

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