2024 has been a momentous year for life-improving progress in research, clinical care, and empowering support and education. We invite you to join us in reflecting on the moments that made 2024 our best year together yet!
January – Brought the Cure JM National Family Conference connection and education to the local level through Cure JM’s Regional Family Conferences and Family Days. This initiative fosters education and connection within local communities, hosted in collaboration with Cure JM’s Clinical Care Network hospitals. Learn more about our Regional Conferences and Family Days here.
February – Cure JM Advocate Council member James Best addresses the NIH during Rare Disease Day and delivers a Proclamation of Thanks. Cure JM Advocate Council member James Best addressed the National Institutes of Health (NIH) during Rare Disease Day, delivering a heartfelt Proclamation of Thanks for their life-improving partnership. His message shed light on the importance of collaboration in advancing research, improving treatments, and delivering hope for families. View James’ address and our Rare Disease Day highlights here.
March – Re-ignited our national Walk Strong to Cure JM program, uniting communities nationwide to Walk Strong together for a brighter future! These community events bring hope, strength, and connection as families and supporters stride in unison toward a cure for kids battling juvenile myositis.
April – Volunteering Drives Progress – we welcomed new Cure JM volunteers and shared the stories of volunteer leaders shaping change in their communities. Volunteers have always been the heartbeat of our organization and progress. To learn more about volunteering at Cure JM, click here.
May – We hosted our globally collaborative Medical Symposium, celebrated Myositis Awareness Month, and provided support resources for Mental Health Month. Our collaborative clinical care and research events have engaged with 71% of the pediatric rheumatology community to improve care for JM patients nationwide.
June – Executive Director Jim Minow introduces the potential of CAR-T in myositis treatment in reporting on Cure JM partner research. CAR-T continues to be investigated in autoimmune research, and early results show promise in resetting the immune system in diseases like myositis. Read Jim’s Executive Director reports here.
July – Dr. Julie Paik reports on the promise of JAK inhibitors treating JM, the beginning of a transformative new era in treatment. In 2025, Cure JM is partnering on a clinical trial for the JAK inhibitor deucravacitinib in juvenile myositis. In a cutting-edge drug compound screening project between Cure JM and the NIH, deucravacitinib was identified as a drug with great potential in treating in JM. View resource and presentation here.
August – We squeezed out hope to round out summer with our annual “Lemons to Lemonade” campaign. Cure JM was launched by a lemonade fundraiser by our Co-Founders, Tom and Shari Hume. This simple fundraiser pays homage to our early roots and allows the entire family, including our JM kids, to make a difference. Learn more about “Lemons to Lemonade” here.
September – We revealed new Cure JM partner research findings by Dr. Christian Lood on the role of the mitochondria. With a keen focus on understanding the role of mitochondria, the cell’s energy powerhouses, in juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), Dr. Lood’s team has made a significant discovery. They have identified calcified mitochondria in the muscle tissue of JDM patients with calcinosis – a finding that sheds new light on understanding JDM. View findings here.
October – We shared the results of our most impactful fiscal year through our 2024 Impact Report. Cure JM is proud to have invested $27 million in research for better juvenile myositis treatments, care, and support. View our full impact report here.
November – Cure JM’s Clinical Care Network leads collaboration at the global ACR conference to deliver expert training and care at every corner of the nation. Read Jim Minow’s ACR updates here.
December – Cure JM families, friends, and supporters united as Hope Heroes to donate and raise $1 million in the Giving Tuesday Holiday Challenge. These funds are more than just numbers—they are the fuel that powers groundbreaking research, life-changing care, and brighter futures for kids battling juvenile myositis. Together, we’re making hope possible for 2025 and beyond!
