Cassie and Friends Society | for Children with Juvenile Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases

CASSIE

Juvenile arthritis became a part of our family and our lives in September of 2006. One morning Cassie, then only 20 months old, wouldn’t walk when we took her out of her crib. After a ton of tests, we ultimately received the diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

ZACHARY

Zachary lived with the pain of arthritis for nine months and the symptoms of chronic disease for 19 months before finally being diagnosed with Systemic Onset Juvenile Arthritis at the age of 3 ½. At the time of diagnosis, we had no idea how extensive the impact of arthritis would be on our lives.

ELISE

Elise was born with a couple of congenital heart defects that kept her in ICU for four days. Over the last four years, one of the heart conditions healed itself and the remaining hole is still prevalent, but recent tests show that her ECG and EKG "do not match the little thriving girl."

REBECCA

I was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis in the September of 2005. I have gone into remission twice in the past 7 years, and am currently in remission right now. Arthritis has caused me physical challenges but also mental ones. Having a chronic disease at such a young age caused me to become mature much faster than kids my own age.

Welcome to Cassie and Friends!

We’re working on raising awareness of juvenile arthritis and other childhood rheumatic diseases by raising funds for research, pediatric rheumatology programs, services, equipment, and educational events.

Cassie and Friends was established after David Porte, a Vancouver father of two, registered for the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge 5km run on June 24, 2007. His then two-year-old daughter, Cassie, was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis in September 2006 and David was looking for a way that he could make a difference in the lives of children living with this chronic disease.

He saw an advertisement for the Scotiabank run and signed up in support of The Arthritis Society. David then wrote to his friends and contacts, shocking many of them with the news that his little girl had arthritis, a disease that most people associate with seniors. The response to his appeal was immediate and overwhelming. Within weeks, he raised over $40,000.

It is because of David and his wife Debbie’s initiative and their subsequent commitment to fundraising for juvenile arthritis that the Cassie and Friends Society for Children with Juvenile Arthritis and other Rheumatic Diseases was established.

The “friends” refers to the generous donors to this fund, as well as the thousands of other children who are affected by rheumatic diseases.