In this edition of “Where Are They Now”, we caught up with Jake Shiell and his mom Krista. You may remember Jake from his popular lemonade stand fundraiser and as the winner of our 2022 Youth Leader Award for the under-12 group.
Jake was diagnosed with Systemic Idiopathic Juvenile Arthritis (sJIA) on his 8th birthday in October 2021. Before treatment, he needed a cane to walk and endured challenging symptoms, but by May 2022, he started feeling better, thanks to biologic and steroid injection treatments, and hosted his first lemonade stand on the long weekend. Jake’s Lemonade Stand quickly became a popular spot in the Stratford community, no doubt due to Jake’s commitment to fundraising, raising awareness about Juvenile Arthritis (JA), and making great-tasting, fresh lemonade.
Now 10 (turning 11 in October!), Jake’s been a top youth fundraiser for Cassie + Friends for the last two years. He raised over $10,000 – $10,454 to be exact! His stands have raised tons of awareness and he and his mom have taught many about JA in the Stratford community. Jake has even connected with people who have faced childhood rheumatic diseases themselves. With the support of the Stratford Warriors and Fighting Irish hockey clubs and, more recently, the Kinsmen Club of Stratford and Mayor Martin Ritsma, Jake’s fundraising efforts have reached many in the Stratford community and beyond. His lemonade stands have become a staple at events like the Stratford and District Agricultural Society & Farmers’ Market and the Downtown Stratford BIA, both of which have rallied behind his cause.
Jake’s lemonade stands have also inspired others in the community to host their own stands for causes close to their hearts. Two of his classmates even donated funds from their lemonade stand to help reach Jake’s goal!
Jake’s journey hasn’t been easy, but it truly shows how the Shiell family has “turned pain into purpose”, as Krista says. After 15 months of dealing with pain, medications, and side effects, Jake is now officially in full remission. His last injection was on December 24, 2022, and he’s been pain-free ever since.
Jake is looking forward to starting Grade 6 this fall and had a great time this summer connecting with his friends at the Arthritis Society of Canada’s Camp Ontario in Algonquin. When he’s not making lemonade, you can find Jake tending to his garden, making art, or fishing. Jake spends his summers playing goalkeeper for the Stratford Strikers soccer team, and his winters as a defenceman in Rotary ice hockey. He also participated in Cassie + Friends’ Scoring Goals fundraiser in Aurora this past May!
Thinking of starting your own fundraiser? Krista’s advice: “Pick something you like and enjoy doing, and you’ll love sharing it with the community. For Jake, it’s lemonade. He’s been making it since he was 5!” Jake’s advice for anyone thinking of starting a lemonade stand? “You have to make your own fresh lemonade. You can’t use store-bought! Fresh is best”. That’s been the key to his success.
Want to help Jake reach his goal of raising $2000 for the upcoming London Walk/Run on September 29? Donate directly to his lemonade stand here! You can also sign up for a walk/run event in your area this fall to help support the Cassie + Friends community.
