Walk Strong to Cure JM, Southern California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Families join together to walk for a cure for juvenile myositis.

Cure JM families, friends, and the community are joining together on Saturday, February 21, 2026, for the Walk Strong to Cure JM event at Irvine Regional Park - Coyote Corner in Orange, CA.

The walk is free and is open to the public. Join us for food, friendship, lots of activities, and fun for all ages, and help support this great cause!

The event is from 9:00 am - 12 pm.  The 1-mile walk will start at 9:30 am.

All proceeds benefit Cure JM Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for juvenile myositis (JM).

Cure JM is a non-profit organization devoted to finding a cure for juvenile myositis. JM is a devastating and life-threatening disease. It can cause pain, weakness, inability to walk, disfigurement, organ failure, and in some cases, even lead to death. Juvenile myositis can affect virtually any system of the body, the heart, lungs, skin, muscles, and more.

Cure JM is the ONLY organization solely dedicated to finding a cure for juvenile myositis and improving the lives of families affected by JM.

“With the support of the Orange County community, we are making a difference for children with this rare disease,” says Zack Harrison, Cure JM Board Member. “My daughter was diagnosed with juvenile myositis when she was 3 years old. We continue to raise money and awareness for this horrible disease in hopes that better treatments and a cure will be found, so no other children will suffer from JM.”

Contact Program Manager Kathleen Bolton at Kathleen.Bolton@curejm.org for more information.

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About Cure JM

The Cure JM Foundation is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for juvenile myositis (JM). Cure JM’s mission is to find a cure for juvenile myositis and improve the lives of families affected by JM. Since 2003, Cure JM has invested over $23M in JM research, making Cure JM the largest funder of JM research on the planet. Nearly all funds raised have been raised by families and friends of families fighting JM.

With these funds raised, Cure JM has funded 207 JM research studies and five JM Research Centers of Excellence. Cure JM is currently funding critical research at 20 world-class research institutions. And we are very excited to announce that critical research investments have recently led to the identification of the major genetic risk factor for all forms of myositis.

And at Cure JM, we use all contributions wisely. Since inception in 2003, 89% of all donations went directly to research and educational programs. Cure JM Foundation’s independently audited financials are posted on our website. Cure JM received 2 prestigious awards given to fewer than 1% of over 1 million nonprofit organizations in the United States. For financial transparency and demonstrating a commitment to measuring progress and results, Cure JM received the Platinum Award, the highest ranking possible from Guidestar. Cure JM also received the Independent Charities “Best in America” seal for meeting the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness.

Cure JM’s goal is to never, ever let another child suffer with juvenile myositis. With your help, we believe it is a goal that’s well within our reach. For more information on Cure JM visit www.curejm.org. The Cure JM Foundation is a tax-exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Service code 501(c)(3).

For more information:

About the Walk Strong Southern California or Cure JM:

• Contact Kathleen Bolton, Southern California Walk Manager, Cure JM Kathleen.Bolton@curejm.org
• Click here to learn more about the story of Cure JM

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