Our beautiful little girl Noelle was diagnosed with this awful disease in June of 2008.  She had a rash on her knuckles, knees, elbows and eyelids which was a classic symptom of juvenille dermatomyositis.  She was immediately put on a high dose of prednisone along with a weekly injection of methotrexate and a bunch of other medications.  She is currently on a monthly IV infusion called IVIG, which she gets at the hospital.  We are trying this for a 6-month period in the hopes that it puts this disease into remission.  Since there is no cure for this disease, remission is the best we can hope for at this point.

We are all trying our hardest to get through this and praying for the best.  Noelle is really trying to be strong and continue to do as many things as her body and doctor will allow.  The prednisone has made her gain a considerable amount of weight which really makes it hard for her to keep up with her activities, but she refuses to let this disease rule her life.  She recently had to run a mile in her physical eduction class at school and was worried she wouldn't be able to do it.  Her teacher told her not to worry and to do the best she could.  Well, our little girl was determined and finished that mile.  It took her longer than it would have before she was sick, but she didn't let it stop her.  One of her classmates commented to her mom that she wanted to give up running because she was tired, but she was so inspired by Noelle that she kept on and finished her mile as well.  Noelle has inspired us all with her positive attitude and determination.  She has said that she wants to be a pediatric rhumatologist when she grows up so she can help to find a cure for this disease.   What a wonderful doctor she will make!!

We are attending this marathon fundraiser in Carlsbad in the hopes of finding out some more information and to meet other families fighting to find a cure for this disease.  We don't ever want to ask for money for anything, but if you could find it in your heart to send even a small donation to help find a cure for Noelle and the other children battling this disease, we would be forever grateful.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of all our hearts,

Steve, Nancy, NOELLE and Amanda