Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM) is an autoimmune disease affecting approximately 3 children in every million per year.  Muscle weakness and skin rashes are the main symptoms of JDM and it affects every child differently with some children experiencing a mild form of the disease while others display a more severe disease progression.  Unfortunately for my nephew Cameron he is on the severe spectrum.  Aged 9 after many weeks of feeling tired and lethargic and numerous GP visits he was admitted to Basildon Hospital for further investigation and 5 days later transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital.  With the fantastic team at GOSH Cameron's symptoms was recognized and a muscle biopsy confirmed diagnosis of JDM.  Cameron spent 4 months in GOSH and whilst from the outside 5 years after diagnosis he lives a relatively normal life of a 14 year old boy, he continues to take a daily cocktail of medication, which in itself is a struggle as he describes one like 'it's burning the inside of his throat' when it is administered and his condition is still unsettled, he continues regular check ups at Great Ormond Street where his condition continues to be used as a case within their JDM research development in the UK and America.  This makes my marathon training seem small scale to the challenges that Cameron faces and I hope that some fundraising for the Myositis UK will support the research into this rare condition and hope one day they find a cure!

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