Our Five Pillars
These guiding principles — Faith, Family, Fitness, Fellowship, and Finances — keep us grounded and focused as we navigate the journey of JDM together.
1. Faith
Faith is our foundation — the bedrock upon which everything else stands. When Dash was diagnosed with JDM, it was our faith that kept us from crumbling. In the darkest moments, sitting in hospital rooms watching our son struggle to lift his arms, we held onto the promise that we are never alone.
We believe that God placed this calling on our family for a reason. Not as punishment, but as purpose. Through prayer, through scripture, and through the community of believers who surround us, we find the strength to face each new day.
Our faith teaches us that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. And hope does not disappoint. This is the hope we carry for every family fighting JDM.
2. Family
Family is everything. When JDM enters your home, it doesn't just affect the diagnosed child — it changes every member of the family. Siblings adjust their expectations. Parents become caregivers, advocates, and researchers overnight. The entire rhythm of life shifts.
For the Addario family, sticking together through Dash's diagnosis meant redefining what strength looks like. It meant celebrating small victories — like Dash taking a few steps without help. It meant being honest with each other about the hard days while never losing sight of hope.
At Cure JDM, we understand that supporting a child with JDM means supporting the whole family. That's why our programs are designed to wrap around every family member, providing resources, connection, and care.
3. Fitness
For children with JDM, fitness takes on a profound meaning. It's not about athletic achievement — it's about rebuilding what the disease has taken. Physical therapy becomes a daily commitment. Every rep, every stretch, every small movement is an act of courage.
When Dash went from running everywhere to sitting in a wheelchair, the loss was devastating. But through dedicated physical therapy and the unwavering encouragement of his family, he began to fight back. Each day, he works to regain the strength that JDM tried to steal.
Fitness for JDM families is a metaphor for the entire journey: it's hard, it's daily, it hurts sometimes, but progress — no matter how small — is always worth celebrating. We encourage every family to embrace movement as medicine.
4. Fellowship
No family should fight JDM alone. Fellowship is about creating connections between families who understand what this journey truly looks like. It's about shared tears and shared triumphs. It's about knowing someone else 'gets it.'
When you're sitting in an infusion center for hours while your child receives IVIG treatment, it helps immeasurably to know that other families are walking the same path. Fellowship creates that bridge — a community built on empathy, experience, and encouragement.
Through Cure JDM, we are building a network of families, medical professionals, and supporters who are united by a single goal: defeating JDM. Together, we are stronger than this disease.
5. Finances
The financial burden of JDM is staggering. IVIG treatments alone can cost thousands of dollars per infusion. Add daily medications, specialist visits, physical therapy, travel expenses, and lost income from caregiving, and families quickly find themselves overwhelmed.
Cure JDM is committed to responsible financial stewardship. Every donation is directed toward two critical areas: funding medical research to find a cure, and providing direct financial support to families struggling under the weight of JDM-related expenses.
We believe that finances should never be a barrier to a child receiving the care they need. Through generous donations and careful resource management, we work to ensure that every family has access to the treatments and support that can change their child's life.