Cassie + Friends is proud to be participating in the election advocacy campaign being led by Arthritis Society Canada along with other leading arthritis organizations. Together, we’re calling on all parties and candidates to take bold action on arthritis care, research, and access to treatment. We’re also excited to invite YOU to get involved by sending an email to party leaders and candidates through the easy-to-use platform hosted on the Arthritis Society Canada website.

Wait, before you go!!! We know that without your voice, the unique needs of children and families affected by Juvenile Arthritis and other childhood rheumatic diseases may get overlooked in the broader arthritis conversation. That’s why we’ve created a few simple tips to help you personalize your letter and make sure decision-makers understand that #KidsCantWait for better care, faster diagnosis, and a cure.

Whether you’re a parent, a young person living with arthritis, or a friend in the Cassie + Friends community, your story matters. Let’s make sure 25,000 children living with arthritis in Canada are not forgotten in this election.

1. Start with who you are and your connection to Cassie + Friends:

• “As a parent of a child diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis…”
• “As a teen living with JIA…”
• “As a volunteer with Cassie + Friends, I’ve seen the daily impact of arthritis on kids across Canada…”

2. Add your lived experience:

Share one or two sentences about:

• How long it took to get a diagnosis
• Struggles accessing pediatric rheumatology care and support (geography, cost, etc)
• Challenges with medication access and treatment impacts (injections, side effects, costs, coverage)
• Living with chronic pain, fatigue, mobility issues, or eye disease (uveitis)
• Missing school, sports, or social activities due to arthritis
• Impact on mental health (anxiety, depression are common)

For example:

• “My daughter was just 6 when she couldn’t walk due to pain. It took months to see a specialist.”
• “I’ve missed entire semesters of school because of pain flares, joint damage, and fatigue.”

3. Highlight the gap in awareness and funding for kids:

• A recent Cassie + Friends IPSOS poll showed that 80% of Canadians are unaware that arthritis affects children, and it’s often misunderstood—even by doctors.”
• “Despite how common and serious JA is, research and care for kids receives only a fraction of attention and funding.”

Add a link to the Cassie + Friends #KidsCantWait page to share more stats about Juvenile Arthritis and real patient/family stories from across Canada!

4. Connect to the larger ask in the letter:

• “Please prioritize investments in research and innovation that can improve care and find a cure—for kids, too.”
• “We need faster access to treatments, and better support for kids living in pain”

5. End with urgency:

• “#KidsCantWait. Every delay in diagnosis or treatment puts kids at risk for lifelong disability.”
• “This election is a chance to change the future for 25,000 kids across Canada.”
• Optional Closing Line: “Thank you for taking the time to hear from someone in the Juvenile Arthritis community. I hope you’ll be a champion for kids like mine/me.”