Protected: How Trillium Projects is helping to CRUSH JA
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March 2023
February 2023
My disease is so rare I don’t yet have a diagnosis.
To recognize rare disease day, we want to shine a light on all rare diseases, including the story of Zahra, whose rare autoinflammatory disease is still unknown, despite extensive genetic testing. Rare diseases affect 300 million people worldwide, and many of the 24,000 children in Canada in the pediatric rheumatic disease community are [...]
A Mothers Thank You
We would like to share a message from one of our Cassie + Friends families whose journey with Juvenile Arthritis has been made just a little bit easier, thanks to donors and friends like you. My 5 year old daughter, Eve and I are thankful for your constant support. Eve was diagnosed [...]
It’s Not Easy Being Rare: Working Together to Navigate the Challenges of Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases
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. [...]
A Mother-Son Story: JIA, Genetics and our Unanswered Questions
Our family's journey with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and genetics doesn’t begin with our son’s experience - it actually begins with mine. I was diagnosed with JIA at the age of 7; I faced a difficult time with poor control of my symptoms, which led to significant damage by the time I was [...]
Meet our 2022 Top Youth Leaders!
Congratulations to Jake Shiell and Emma Linsley, recipients of the 2022 Cassie + Friends National Youth Leader Awards! Read Jake and Emma's full bios and project descriptions below. Interested in being considered for an award in 2023? To learn more about the Youth Leader [...]
December 2022
Iyla’s Story: Finding Comfort and Inspiration with JIA
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 [...]
November 2022
JIA and Celiac: Cassie Porte’s Story
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 [...]
Meet Jillian Wickert, C+F’s First Practicum Student!
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, [...]
October 2022
Physical Activity
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 [...]
