In This Issue:



🎈Zeroing In on the Role of Inflammation & Muscle Healing

🎈2025 Advocate Scholarship Recipients Announced

🎈2025 Clinical Trials Enrolling

🎈JM 101 - Managing Anxiety & Promoting Well-being for JM

🎈Walk Strong Fall Schedule - Walking for a Brighter Future

🎈Upcoming Regional Events, Training, and Online Events



For our complete listing of available resources, click here.

To learn more about our current research projects, click here.

To learn more about the Cure JM Foundation and how to join, click here.

Cure JM is proud to fund pioneering research by Dr. Sara Sabbagh at the University of Wisconsin, who is working to solve one of the most urgent mysteries in juvenile myositis (JM):

Why does inflammation spiral out of control—and why can’t muscles bounce back like they should?

In healthy muscle, injury sparks a well-coordinated repair process. But in JM, that process breaks down. Instead of healing, inflammation lingers—and muscles weaken. Dr. Sabbagh’s lab is working to uncover what causes this malfunction and how to correct it.

The Cure JM Foundation is excited to announce the 2025 Advocate Scholarship recipients.  These scholarships recognize outstanding individuals who have impacted the JM community through their volunteer and leadership efforts. They have inspired the JM community by overcoming adversity while empowering others to do the same. These scholarships also recognize exceptional academic achievements.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to all individuals who submitted their applications and shared their incredible journeys with us. Each applicant was remarkable, and we wish we could support all of them. We are pleased to announce the following exceptional scholarship recipients:

Cure JM Foundation Advocate Scholarship in honor of Dr. Lauren M. Pachman:

Recipient: Katherine Alderfer

Major: Finance at Bucknell University

Cure JM Foundation Advocate Scholarship in honor of Dr. Ann M. Reed:

Recipient: Hannah McLaughlin

Major: Integrative Biology at Harvard University

Cure JM Foundation Advocate Scholarship in honor of Dr. Lisa G. Rider:

Recipient: Madison Coffey

Major: Community Health, Nutrition Science at Hofstra University

To learn more about this program, eligibility requirements, and full details, click the button below. 

Clinical trials are medical research studies in which patients participate as volunteers. They help researchers learn more about diseases and conditions and develop new treatments and medications. Learn more about clinical trials here.

Below are clinical trials currently recruiting juvenile myositis patients. JDM and JPM patients of various ages may be eligible for these trials. For detailed information about a particular trial, please get in touch with the study team directly.

CAR-T

CAR-NK

ANIFROLUMAB

For general clinical trial and research inquiries, reach out to Cure JM’s Family and Clinician Education Manager, James Tealy at james.tealy@curejm.org.

Busy with the summer hustle when we hosted last month's empowering Town Hall on Managing Anxiety and Promoting Wellness? No worries, this engaging session is now posted on YouTube and at www.curejm.org/townhalls.

Watch this powerful discussion featuring Dr. Aviya Levy, a nationally recognized pediatric rheumatologist and mental health advocate, as she explores practical strategies for managing anxiety and promoting emotional well-being in children with JM and their caregivers. Drawing on her expertise in narrative medicine and her work at the forefront of JM mental health research, Dr. Levy will offer insights into the emotional impact of living with a chronic illness and share evidence-based tools to help families cope, connect, and thrive—no matter where they are on their JM journey.

For more "Ask the Doc" Town Hall video resources and for our upcoming online town hall events, visit www.curejm.org/townhalls

Hundreds of Cure JM families and friends are coming together in their local communities to walk together for a brighter future! 

You can join the fight by taking important steps towards progress and a cure!

Walk Strong events feature fun and friendship as our families celebrate the power of community and walk for progress. There is fun for the whole family, including children, teens, and young adults.

We'd like to thank all of our families and communities who are walking with us. Your steps propel our progress!

2025 Walk Strong events:  RSVP here to join a walk in your region!

• Washington, D.C. - Saturday, September 20th
• Raleigh-Durham, NC - Saturday, September 27th
• Boston, MA - Sunday, October 5th
• Houston, TX - Sunday, October 5th
• Austin, TX - Saturday, October 11th
• Nashville, TN - Saturday, October 18th
• Northern California - Saturday, October 18th

2025 Online Meetings, In-Person & Educational Trainings - Save The Dates!

We're excited to share upcoming regional and online events that support our community.

This updated page is your single stop for "being in the know" on upcoming chapter events, support meetings, educational training, and more happening in person and online.

August 2025 Online and In-Person Events:

• August 20th at 8:00 PM Eastern - Town Hall "Starting Strong, Practical Essentials for Families Facing JM" Register Now.

• August 25th at 8:00 PM Eastern - "Monthly JM Moms' Connect Group" Register Now.

• August 28th at 3:00 PM Eastern - "Monthly Grandparents' Connect Call" Register Now.

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