Reine Hodroj - Learning to Live with Behcet's Disease Living with a chronic illness is an unimaginable challenge, and Behcet's Disease has been my constant companion in this journey. This rare autoimmune condition, characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers, skin lesions, and systemic inflammation, has disrupted my life in many ways. However, my [...]
Sophie Finn is a student, a C+F Youth Ambassador, a soccer coach, and a JDM warrior. This is her story. My story began in Grade 7, when I started to experience unexplained pain in my lower back. At the time, I was playing soccer and my goal was to make it to university. As [...]
To recognize Juvenile Arthritis Awareness month, we're highlighting stories from the youth in our community: their diagnosis, their journeys, what they’ve learned, and most importantly, their advice. At Cassie + Friends, we believe that all kids deserve to live pain-free. In Canada, 24,000 children, teens and their families will be affected by Juvenile [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
Hello there! My name is Emily Bessey. I am 19 years old and live in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia. My journey with JIA and TMJ started way back in 2009 when I was just 6 years old. I would go to school limping, hardly able to walk, but return home at the end of [...]
Meet Sheila and Jim! They've shared their family’s journey with the rare rheumatic disease, CRMO, below. Sheila and Jim live in Qualicum Beach on beautiful Vancouver Island. They have three sons, two of which live with Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis (CRMO). Nolan was diagnosed with CRMO at the age of five in [...]
I don’t know if there can be a ‘typical’ journey for a young child who receives a Juvenile Arthritis diagnosis. But this is Linden’s story so far. When Linden got sick at 18 months old, we thought it was just a cold. But then came an unusual rash and his walking deteriorated. We visited [...]
Congratulations to Tyler Mah and Natasha Trehan, recipients of the 2021 Cassie + Friends National Youth Leader Awards! Read Tyler and Natasha's full bios and project descriptions below. Interested in being considered for an award in 2022? To learn more about the Youth Leader Awards [...]
Meet Oliver! A vibrant young boy with autoinflammatory disease living in Williams Lake, BC! Oliver has always been the type of child that brings joy to everyone around him. We couldn’t go to the grocery store without the smiling baby drawing everyone near. His first year of life was good. He was a perfectly [...]
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.
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