Walk Strong

Across America

This summer, we’re challenging the JM community to help us reach all 50 states through Walk Strong Across America.

Walk in your neighborhood, a local park, a favorite trail, or with friends and family. Every step strengthens the JM community and moves research forward.

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, we invite families, supporters, grandparents, and advocates to show the strength of our community from coast to coast.



Will your state be represented?

A Parent's Guide to JAK Inhibitor Appeals

JAK inhibitor denials can feel overwhelming, especially when your child needs treatment now. Our new guide helps families understand why denials happen and how to move an appeal forward with confidence. Read the guide.

Kasia's Story of Hope

Kasia Rodriguez was diagnosed with juvenile myositis at age seven and faced years of ups and downs, including major flare‑ups in high school. Today she is thriving in college and back on the softball field, thanks to expert care and her own remarkable resilience. Read Kasia’s full story of hope.

June 16 Town Hall

Join us as Cure JM's Shannon Malloy will sit down with Tania Gonzalez Rivera, VP of Medical Affairs, and Courtney Little, Senior Director, Clinical Scientist at Cabaletta Bio, for a conversation about the RESET-Myositis CAR-T trial and new research updates presented at the European rheumatology conference.

Dr. Holly Wobma, pediatric rheumatologist at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, will join the discussion to help families understand how CAR-T therapy works and what the science behind it means for juvenile myositis patients specifically.

Whether you are new to CAR-T or have been following the research closely, we hope you will tune in for this important update on a rapidly evolving area of JM research.

Clinician Spotlight

Dr. Carl June

What does CAR-T actually mean?

CAR-T is one of the most talked-about areas of research in cancer and autoimmune disease, but where does the name come from?

In this short clip, Dr. Carl June, often called the "father of CAR-T cell therapy," explains the surprising origin of the term and how CAR-T cells work.

GEMs

GEMs (Giving Every Month) is growing, and families across the country are helping build a reliable foundation for Cure JM’s work. Monthly gifts protect progress in research and expand the support families count on. You can join the GEMs community at any time.

Mental Health Matters

What Was Lost in the Fire: Resilience for Siblings of Children with Rare Disease

Siblings show remarkable empathy and strength, but their experience is more complex than it appears. This month’s story looks at the parts of childhood they may quietly set aside and how we can help them feel seen. Read the full reflection by Cure JM's Mental Health Coordinator, Ronda Thorington.

Family Days

Family Days offer JM families a chance to learn from experts, connect with other families, and feel supported by a caring community. These events include medical updates, family‑to‑family conversations, and time to build relationships that last.

Upcoming:

June 13 - Walnut Creek, CA - UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital

July 11 - Cincinnati, OH - Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

August 1 - Nashville, TN - Vanderbilt Children's Hospital

Thank you to everyone who showed up last month for Myositis Awareness Month. Together, we raised awareness, inspired hope, and supported the research that matters most.

Your action in awareness keeps research momentum alive.