"I soon began to experience extreme pain in my wrists, which would cause challenges for me whenever I would be at school or would work on school assignments." My name is Jessica Gill. I am from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis at the age of eight years [...]
Inspired by the Roald Dahl Charity’s Marvellous Nurse Inventing Rooms, on August 23rd, we hosted our very own C+F Inventing Room to ask the community and together envision what our C+F Injection Coping Kits should include. With the help of medical experts, parents and youth, we dove in and got to work! We started [...]
"Throughout all of these experiences that I have had with Cassie + Friends, there is one throughline: Understanding. Understanding is a concept not to be underestimated." Meet Ciara. It was after after my body couldn’t row anymore, my hands couldn’t hold the pencil, my joints ached in pain, and after my diagnosis of [...]
Last summer, I was ready for an adventure. I wanted to trudge into unknown territory and immerse myself somewhere outside of my university town. Here's what I did to keep my arthritis in check, before, during and after my 18-day trip exploring France and Portugal with friends. Traveling with friends as a young [...]
"Hi, my name is Naina and I am 9 years old. This summer I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, Lupus. I hope to inspire kids like me to be brave and courageous. I want to spread the message that kids can get through anything with strength. Artwork has been a way for [...]
It is not easy being rare. Being rare means that there is not a lot of knowledge, research, and treatment options available for youth and families affected by systemic autoinflammatory diseases (SAIDs). And that is exactly what the recently formed Can-SAID advisory group, a branch of Cassie + Friends (C+F), wants to change. [...]
Thank you to everyone who helped make Giving Tuesday a huge success for children and families affected by Juvenile Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases - including one very special gift we wanted to share with you from eight-year old Iyla. Iyla, from Meaford, Ontario, has been diligently raising money for Cassie + Friends all [...]
Hi! My name is Cassie! That name might sound familiar because my parents started Cassie + Friends after I was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis at 20 months. I am now 17 years old, in grade 12, and taking a break from filling out university applications as I write this. Time sure flies. But [...]
Cassie + Friends is proud to introduce our first-ever practicum student, Jillian Wickert. Welcome, Jillian! Jillian is a student at the University of Alberta (U of A) doing a Master’s Degree in Community Engagement within the School of Public Health. Jillian not only has an interest in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and chronic illness, [...]
Three-year-old Katherine can keep up with other kids now, but that wasn't always the case... When Alana noticed her daughter was limping at the playground, she didn't know what to think - especially when the limp didn't go away. She decided to bring her to a doctor to be examined. After weeks of testing [...]
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