"Feelings and emotions are real, and should be felt and openly discussed." Meet Kaese and his mom, Jennifer. Together, they have chosen to share their story of being diagnosed with JIA and the many impacts that can have on a child and family's mental health. To read more Cassie + Friends' Youth Mental [...]
"Life changes at a fast pace in your early 20s." Meet Trish. Life after pediatric care is a journey. I would describe it as a relationship with its ups and downs. High highs when you feel amazing and low lows when finding access to a doctor is tough. I came out of pediatric [...]
"If you told me a few years ago that I would be pursuing my dream of playing post-secondary volleyball at Dalhousie University, I would have laughed out loud because at the time it seemed near to impossible." Meet Ella. In April of 2020, I was diagnosed with a rheumatic condition you are probably [...]
As a parent/caregiver, you envision your children growing up happy and healthy, enjoying life to the fullest. However, life tends to chuckle at our best laid plans, and that was the case with our middle daughter, Rosalie, who was diagnosed with Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis at the age of 6 in February 2022. [...]
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 [...]
Get Moving with JA! Physical activity is an important component of JA management - and one that often comes with many questions and concerns from families learning how to navigate their disease. One of the most important facts to know is that early detection, intervention and parent support are critical [...]
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 [...]
Hi! My name is Hayley. I was diagnosed with JIA at the age of 13. Around age 12 I realized that I could not straighten my fingers. Young me was very medically inclined, so after some googling, I diagnosed myself with arthritis. It took a long time to convince the adults in my life [...]
Make lemonade! At least that’s what Jacob Shiell did when he was diagnosed with Systemic Idiopathic Juvenile Arthritis (SJIA) on his eighth birthday in October 2021. Jacob’s journey began with unexplained foot pain and swelling. Over the next few weeks, the pain and swelling worsened and spread to his right knee, elbow and wrist. [...]
If you or a loved one is dealing with Juvenile Arthritis or any rheumatic disease, you're not alone. Sign up now for access to vital resources, news, and events. Join a supportive community that gets what you're facing. Together, we can make a difference in your Juvenile Arthritis journey.
Join us in creating a pain-free future for kids by becoming a monthly donor! Your support will give kids and families across Canada the care, education and resources they deserve. Click here to learn more!
