Since the 2006 Chicago Marathon our family has been fundraising for Juvenile Myositis, a rare auto-immune disease with only 1,000 children diagnosed a year. Because of YOU, our supportive friends and family, the Cure JM Foundation has been able to support Dr. Lauren Pachman’s work (Eric’s doctor) over the last 5 years, creating the Center of Excellence for JM Research at Children’s Memorial Hospital of Chicago. Significant advances were made with this original grant; we need to renew and keep the momentum going. Cure JM has also been instrumental in supporting other major research initiatives and creating another Center of JM Excellence. Amazing for a 100 %, family run, all volunteer organization. THANK YOU!!

There’s more work to be done. We need to educate more doctors, continue with the research, and support the experts to write up what they know. Unfortunately, in my JM clinic volunteer experience, I’ve seen the cases that haven’t been identified before it’s been too late. I am determined to raise the funds and spread the word so every child diagnosed with JM can have the same successful outcome as we hope for Eric.

In 1998, at age 11, Eric rapidly became so weak we had to carry him. It was terrifying. We consulted with numerous doctors before identifying the disease and the expert to treat it. Eric was in remission from 2002 to 2005, then flared and has just become medicine free once again. Other children with this rare disease aren’t as lucky. They weren’t diagnosed properly or treated readily and aggressively. Children who aren’t diagnosed properly develop lifelong problems, which still can be fatal (30 years ago JM had a 30% mortality rate in our country, luckily we’re progressing!) Through Cure JM we hope to change that by creating awareness and raising funds, lots of them, for research.

As Bruce and I face a major birthday within 2 days of each other (spring 2012), we hope to have raised a significant amount for this cause near to our hearts. As we’re no longer running marathons, please help us make a direct difference as we soar to sixty, a life milestone.

You can help by:
Reviewing the symptoms of the disease at: www.curejm.org (Rash, weakness)
Donating online at http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/jdenuyl/soaring, or by mail to: Cure JM Foundation, Donations, 836 Lynwood Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024
Our heartfelt thanks,
Jacque, Bruce, Clark and Eric DenUyl
Cure JM Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization