Juvenile arthritis became a part of the Porte family’s life in September of 2006 when their daughter Cassie, then only 20 months old, suddenly wouldn’t walk. After a frightening series of tests, they ultimately received a diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

David Porte (Cassie’s Dad) signed up for the very first Scotiabank Half Marathon & 5km Charity Challenge. He raised over $18,000 after sharing Cassie’s story with colleagues, family and friends. Under a rainy tent that day, the idea of “Cassie and Friends” – a charity just for kids and their families – was born.

We began working to address the devastating lack of support, resources and community facing the pediatric rheumatic disease community. We set up a number of programs to ease the burdens and isolation kids and families face.

With the help of friends, we contributed over $400,000 to complete the Ross Petty Research Chair in Pediatric rheumatology at the University of British Columbia and BC Children’s Hospital – the first such chair in Western Canada – making us the largest funder outside of government. In 2014, we launched Canada’s first-ever Parent-to-Parent Support Program for JIA and other rheumatic diseases at BC Children’s Hospital.

Hired our first Executive Director and raised the largest amount yet ($120,000) right where it all began at the Scotiabank Half Marathon and 5km Charity Challenge. Run proceeds helped fund a prestigious five-year Scholar Award with the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research to Dr. Kelly Brown of the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute.

We began connecting with pediatric rheumatology clinics across Canada to offer our support and the momentum was picking up. We expanded Team Cassie + Friends run/walks to Calgary and Toronto and in 2019, we held our first Juvenile Arthritis Family Day outside of BC, in Edmonton, AB. Our Juvenile Arthritis puppet show began touring across BC and Alberta to raise awareness of JA in the classroom. Things were moving fast!