CREW Network
Advancing pediatric rheumatology research through care, collaboration, and community
The Cassie + Friends Care and Research Network — or CREW — brings together youth, parents, pediatric rheumatology teams, researchers, and partners who are committed to improving care and outcomes for children living with juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
Through research funding, partnerships, advocacy, and community engagement, CREW helps move Cassie + Friends’ vision forward: getting kids from diagnosis to remission as quickly, safely, and pain-free as possible.
What is CREW?
A national network working toward better care and better outcomes.
CREW is Cassie + Friends’ care and research network. It connects families, healthcare teams, researchers, and supporters to help advance pediatric rheumatology research, improve awareness, and strengthen support for children and families across Canada.
The network helps ensure that research is connected to clinical care, community needs, and the real experiences of youth and families.
Why CREW Matters
Research moves faster when people work together.
Progress in pediatric rheumatology requires collaboration. CREW brings together the people and partners needed to identify gaps, fund research, support studies, and translate knowledge into meaningful change.
By connecting clinicians, researchers, families, donors, and community champions, CREW helps build the momentum needed to improve care today while working toward a future with better treatments and outcomes.
CREW’s Impact
Funding research and helping secure national investment.
Cassie + Friends has directly funded more than $1.5 million in research and helped secure an additional $25 million in external research funding through its role as a key patient partner.
CREW has also supported research grants across pediatric rheumatology centres in Canada, including early funding for projects focused on transition to adult care, precision medicine, ultrasound in JIA, registry data, education, complex rheumatic disease, and adolescent health.
Research Funding
+ Partnerships
Supporting research that responds to real needs.
CREW supports research through funding opportunities, partnerships, and collaboration with healthcare and research institutions. In 2023, Cassie + Friends announced a $480,000 research partnership with Brain Canada focused on transforming youth mental health in pediatric rheumatic disease.
These investments help researchers explore better ways to understand, diagnose, treat, and support children and youth living with rheumatic disease.
Who Is Part
of CREW?
Youth + Families
Pediatric Rheumatology Teams
Researchers
Partners + Supporters
How We Lead CREW
Funding research, building partnerships, and turning community priorities into action.
CREW is Cassie + Friends’ national care and research network. Through CREW, we bring together youth, families, pediatric rheumatology teams, researchers, donors, and community partners to advance research and improve care for children living with juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
Cassie + Friends leads this work by:
- Funding research and care projects across Canada
- Developing grant opportunities and strategic research partnerships
- Connecting researchers, clinicians, families, and patient partners
- Ensuring youth and family perspectives help shape priorities
- Supporting research participation, education, and knowledge sharing
- Helping attract additional national investment in pediatric rheumatology
Through CREW, Cassie + Friends has directly funded more than $1.5 million in research and helped secure an additional $25 million in external research funding through its role as a key patient partner.
CREW has funded research and care initiatives at pediatric rheumatology centres across Canada. These projects have addressed priorities including:
- Transition from pediatric to adult care
- Precision medicine and complex rheumatic disease
- Ultrasound and treat-to-target care in JIA
- National research registries and data management
- Patient and family education
- Youth mental health
- Adolescent health and information needs
- Pediatric rheumatology awareness and knowledge sharing
Support Us
Advancing Knowledge
Improved care for children and families.
The CREW Network helps create a more connected and collaborative approach to pediatric rheumatology. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the network supports more effective research, stronger partnerships, and improved care for children and families.
Through collaboration and shared knowledge, the CREW Network contributes to meaningful progress in research and care across Canada.