First and foremost, our daughter Megan -- "Thing 1" to those of you in the blogosphere -- gives us the energy and inspiration to find a cure for juvenile myositis. She has been one of the lucky ones who responded well to treatment.

Then, there are children  like Brandi Valentine.

Brandi, a 14-year-old living in Pittsburgh, was an honors student, an avid dancer, a passionate reader, a movie buff and someone who loved to swim.  But in the two years since her initial diagnosis of JM in 2006, she spent nearly half her time in and out of hospitals. She had many surgeries and she was in great pain. Through it all, she was strong and never complained.

On Jan. 21, 2008, Brandi died from complications caused by her juvenile myositis.

To help prevent such tragic moments in the future, our family is participating in the Austin Marathon and Half Marathon in February 14, 2010, to raise funds for Cure JM Foundation, an all-volunteer group fighting for research into a cure for her disease.

Please help Megan and the many children like her with this devastating autoimmune disease by sponsoring our effforts.  

The McKeever Family 

PS - If you prefer to send a check, make it out to Cure JM Foundation, mark it in the memo section that you are sponsoring Kevin and Rhonda McKeever, then mail it to Cure JM Foundation, 836 Lynwood Drive, Encinitas, CA  92024.  Matching gift forms may also be sent to that address or faxed to 1 (760) 230-2243.