training updates at www.mamajog.blogspot.com

We are mamas running for a cure for JM, a terrible and rare autoimmune disease that afflicts one of our daughters. Many of us are new to running, and some of us have already run marathons. But for all of us, the experience of running for Mielle has been profound.

We want to inspire you to help us with a donation, join us in running, or start running for your own cause!

Here is Mielle's story, as told by her mama Suzy: 

About two years ago, my smart, funny and wise daughter Mielle was diagnosed with Juvenile Myositis, or JM.  It turned our lives upside down. 

There are therapies for this disease, but they involve years of treatment with heavy duty drugs that come with major, horrible side effects.  Mielle has endured terrible headaches and nausea from her methotrexate shot once per week; high-dose oral and intravenous steroids caused her to gain 25 pounds (from 37 pounds to 62) in a matter of a few months, and also caused wild (and I mean WILD) rages and mood swings.  Her life now involves regular blood draws, intravenous drug treatments, and trips to a specialist in Chicago.

We are so grateful that treatment exists, and we are holding our breath as Mielle is doing well right now... but there is still no cure.  The best we can hope for is remission, and even *if* we get there (many children never do), there are no guarantees for the future.  This disease can come raging back, even years later. 

I began running just over a year ago as a way to cope, and fund research into better treatment, and ultimately a CURE for this awful disease.  I can't take away Mielle's pain, or endure all those needles and terrible medications on her behalf... but I can run.  I'm running for my baby, to show her my love and support and admiration, to raise money, and to ensure a better future for her.

Profound thanks to all the wonderful women that have joined for different races: Kirsten,  Claudia,  Stephanie, Nicole, Anna, Debamitra, Jan, Barb, Amy, Jennifer, and Jen decided to join me!  For many of us, it was our first experience with running, our FIRST EVER half marathon, and a completely transformational experience.  I've run three half marathons in the past year, and the next is coming up on Valentine's Day... I'll be joining 60 other Cure JM families at the Austin Marathon in February.

Please sponsor us.  You'll be helping Mielle, and the other 5,000 children in the US with this dreaded disease.  It will mean so much to feel your support.

Cure JM is a fantastic organization that has already been instrumental in funding major research initiatives; your donation will be handled wisely and effectively.  (www.curejm.org). 

If you prefer to donate by check, please mail it to Cure JM Foundation, 836 Lynwood Drive, Encinitas, CA  92024.  And be sure to indicate that your donation is in honor of Mielle so we can count it toward our goal!

Please, dig deep if you can.  We've set a high fundraising target, because Mielle deserves a better treatment and a CURE!  Please help us reach our goal!

training updates at www.mamajog.blogspot.com