A Year of Advocacy and Impact: Our 2024 Highlights

If it seems like we were everywhere this year – we were! We never turn down an opportunity to raise awareness about childhood rheumatic diseases or advocate for more resources for our community. That’s what makes Cassie + Friends the leading voice for the childhood rheumatic disease community in Canada. With parents and youth at the helm of our organization, we are 100% here for you. Here are some highlights from this year:

February: Canadian Rheumatology Association Conference

In February, our team attended the 2024 Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA) conference in Winnipeg. We had the opportunity to connect with healthcare professionals from across Canada and share updates on our programs. We also attended a special networking event hosted by the Allied Health Professionals Association to learn more about the role of the Advanced Clinician Practitioner in Arthritis Care (ACPAC) Program and their goals for transforming pediatric rheumatology care.

March: WORD Day Global Webinar

Youth ambassador, Sophie Finn, represented Cassie + Friends and shared her journey with Juvenile Dermatomyositis in a global webinar for World Young Rheumatic Disease Day (WORD Day). You can re-watch their inspiring conversation here, where Sophie and a panel of young adults with rheumatic conditions share their struggles, strategies and successes.

April: Presentation at CRA Pediatric National Update Meeting

Our Executive Director, Jennifer Wilson, was invited to present at the Canadian Rheumatology Association’s (CRA) annual Pediatric National Update. The purpose of the meeting is to update pediatric members of the CRA on all current and recent CRA activity and to hear from key partner organizations like Cassie + Friends.

May: Family Day + UCAN Collaboration

In May, we held a joint conference with UCAN (Understanding Childhood Arthritis Network). At our Cassie + Friends Family Day event, leaders in rheumatology shared their work with families, highlighting the latest advancements in research and treatment for childhood rheumatic diseases. Then, we seamlessly transitioned into an 2-day international scientific research conference, Childhood Arthritis + Beyond 2024, bringing together bright minds in pediatric rheumatology globally, while keeping patients and families at the heart of every discussion. To mark the transition between conferences, we brought everyone together for our first-ever Scoring Goals for Juvenile Arthritis Hockey Game – an incredible event that saw healthcare, researchers, parents and corporate partners playing together in a fun and collaborative format to ensure we stayed focused on our ultimate goal – scoring BIG goals (like a cure!) for kids!

August: Niagara 5000

In August, we were the official charity partner of the Niagara 5000 Luxury Car Show! Our Founder and Board Chair, David Porte, delivered remarks at the opening party, hosted by Peller Estates Winery, sharing our vision and mission with attendees to spread awareness about JA and other childhood rheumatic diseases. Our team attended the Kids Car Rally and connected with families in the Niagara region. Thanks to the generosity of attendees, proceeds went towards our ongoing work and programs.

October: 100 Realtors Who Care Waterloo Region

Our Family Engagement Coordinator, Marissa Sangers, shared her personal story and the impact of Cassie + Friends at the 100 Realtors Who Care Waterloo Region meeting. Her heartfelt words inspired the audience to support our mission, resulting in a $10,000 donation towards a future Family Day for local families.

November: Putting Patients First 2024

We presented our work at the Putting Patients First 2024 conference, which focuses on patient-oriented research in British Columbia. Brittany Barnes-Dean, our Director of Programs and Partnerships, highlighted our efforts in rural and remote communities in Northern BC. She shared how we’re engaging with healthcare providers to teach them about JIA and other childhood rheumatic diseases to ensure that no child is missed.

November: Neighbourhood Pharmacy Summit

Marissa took the stage at the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Summit to deliver welcoming remarks and participate in a panel discussion about parenting a child with JIA. By sharing her story, she helped shed light on the challenges that families face while navigating childhood rheumatic diseases.

December: Local Companies That Care

Emma Linsley, a youth living with JIA, shared her powerful story at Saskatoon’s Local Companies That Care event in December. Emma’s advocacy helped raise awareness about what it’s like to live with a rheumatic disease as a young person.

Thank you to everyone who made these events and initiatives, and much more, possible. Advocacy for childhood rheumatic diseases is vital because these conditions are often misunderstood or overlooked. Together, we can ensure families receive the support, awareness, and care they deserve to create a brighter future for kids impacted by these diseases. Here’s to an even bigger and more impactful 2025!