BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Cassie and Friends Society - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Cassie and Friends Society X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Cassie and Friends Society REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Vancouver BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20190310T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20191103T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20200308T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20201101T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20210314T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20211107T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20220313T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20221106T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20230312T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20231105T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20240310T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20241103T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20250309T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20251102T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20260308T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20261101T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20270314T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20271107T090000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:UTC BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:UTC DTSTART:20210101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260330T163000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260330T180000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030538 CREATED:20250206T222507Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260317T171715Z UID:15480-1774888200-1774893600@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:Family Rheum Chat: Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month DESCRIPTION:Let’s close Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month together.\nWe’re inviting families from across Canada to join a special Family Rheum Chat – a space to connect\, learn and hear how your voice can shape the future of children’s care.Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years into this journey\, this conversation is a chance to hear from others who understand the realities of life with JIA and related conditions.\nWho you’ll hear from:\n\nJennifer Wilson\, Executive Director: On #KidsCantWait and what we’re doing about it\nDeborah Marshall\, Professor and Svare Chair\, Health Economics\, Value and Impact\, University of Calgary: Understanding the real costs of arthritis on children and their families\nMarissa Sangers\, Family Engagement Coordinator: Creating space to share and learn with all of you – the heart of our community.\n\nWe can’t wait to see you there! \nAll parents and caregivers are welcome. \nLearn More and Register Here \nDr. Deborah MarshallDr. Deborah Marshall\, PhD\, is a professor in the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) and the Svare Chair\,Health Economics Value and Impact at University of Calgary. A world-renowned health economist and researcher\, she has dedicated her career to measuring the socioeconomic burden of childhood arthritis and improving patient care. Through her leadership in the UCAN and PAVE projects\, Deborah is a passionate advocate for including patient and family voices to ensure that research and healthcare systems truly reflect the lived realities of the pediatric rheumatic community. \nJennifer WilsonJennifer is the Executive Director of Cassie + Friends. When she joined C+F as their first employee in 2013\, she had never heard of arthritis in children. Through learning about the condition and immersing herself in the pediatric rheumatic disease community\, Jennifer found a noble purpose and has since dedicated herself to pursuing C+F’s vision of a pain-free future for kids. \nMarissa SangersC+F’s Family Engagement Coordinator and JA mom\, Marissa Sangers has been a dedicated advocate since 2019\, and will share helpful tools\, resources\, and ways to stay connected with Cassie + Friends. As a parent to a child with JA\, she understands the journey firsthand and is passionate about supporting families through community\, education\, and advocacy. URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/familyrheumchat/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260111T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260111T150000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030538 CREATED:20250820T181023Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251215T182746Z UID:16215-1768136400-1768143600@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:Workshop on Writing Effective Scholarship and Bursary Applications DESCRIPTION:We’re back for part 2! \nCassie + Friends’ youth mentors are back with another workshop for students\, this time about how to write effective scholarship and bursary applications! \nLed by youth mentor\, Ciara Mahaffy (who secured $85\,000+ in scholarships!) and other scholarship recipients\, this session will teach you how to: \n\nUse storytelling\, tone\, and structure to craft stronger applications\nCommunicate your personal story with confidence and professionalism\nApply proven techniques and insider tips from high-achieving applicants\nUnderstand what scholarship committees actually look for\n\nJoin us for part 2 of this FREE online workshop on January 11 at 1 p.m. PST. \nSign up now for the online workshop here! \nRegister here!Ciara Mahaffy is a Cassie + Friends Youth Mentor and a high-achieving student who has secured over $85\,000 in scholarships. She was Valedictorian at the University of Toronto and has served as an application assessor for university programs\, giving her an insider perspective on what makes applications stand out. \nCiara is passionate about helping students tell their personal stories effectively\, and she’s here to share her step-by-step approach to writing compelling scholarship and bursary applications. She knows how to turn application stress into confidence and clarity\, and she’ll provide practical tips to help you showcase your achievements and experiences with professionalism and authenticity. URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/scholarshipwriting/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education,Youth Leader Network,Youth Mentorship Program END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20240409T163000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20240409T180000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030538 CREATED:20240208T231538Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240613T180249Z UID:13003-1712680200-1712685600@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:Beyond Transition: Advocating for Your Rheumatic Disease Needs in the Workplace DESCRIPTION:In collaboration with the Institute of Work and Health\, JIA Transition Clinic at Women’s College Hospital\, Toronto and young adults with lived experience\, we are excited to host a discussion that extends Beyond Transition and the doctor’s office\, focusing on advocating for health needs in the workplace. \nYou’ll get to hear from an inspiring youth speaker\, previously employed by a major tech company\, who will share her own personal experiences with first jobs\, new careers\, and easing into adulthood. \nYou’ll also get to hear from: \n\nTransition to Adult Care team at Women’s College Hospital\, SickKids about the importance of preparing to enter the workforce as a part of transition to adult care preparation\nArif Jetha\, Associate Scientific Director and Scientist\, Institute of Work and Health\nSaneliso Moyo\, Labour Lawyer\, who will help you to get to “Know Your Workplace Rights”\n\nWhether you’re a youth\, young adult or parent to a child approaching/navigating teen years – this is a session you won’t want to miss! \nAs always\, bring your questions for our LIVE Q+A. \nSee you there! \nRegister Today!Meet the SpeakersArif Jetha – Associate Scientific Director and Scientist\, Institute of Work and Health \nArif’s program of research aims to understand how sociopolitical\, technological\, environmental and economic changes that characterize the future of work affect the health and employment participation of vulnerable workers. He is also interested in understanding how changing working conditions can shape the labour market experiences of youth and young adults living with disabilities and chronic disease at the early career phase and across the life course. \nHe collaborates closely with diverse research partners to produce findings that can inform policy and practice. Jetha is currently the recipient of the Stars Career Development Salary Award from the Arthritis Society. \nAlison Legge – Young Adult Speaker\, JIA\, Currently Working at Lego Group \nAlison is passionate about sharing her experiences growing up with juvenile idiopathic arthritis to help youth and their families living with rheumatic diseases. Born in Vancouver\, BC\, she obtained her bachelors in computer science and applied math from the university of Oregon in 2018. She returned to Vancouver for a few years before relocating to London\, England in 2021 where she now works as a Senior Data Specialist at the LEGO Group. \nIn her spare time\, Alison can be found on the golf course\, curled up on the floor reading with her dog\, Jovo\, or exploring all the London’s pub scene has to offer. \nREAD Alison’s Story Here \nAlison’s powerful story and experience navigating work with JA was recently featured in the Vancouver publication\, the Tyee.  \nSaneliso Moyo – Partner\, Goldblatt Partners LLP in Toronto \nAs a lover of story-telling\, Saneliso believes that as a litigator her job is to help her clients tell their story. Through that storytelling\, she helps unions and workers to enforce their rights and make change! \nA fierce advocate for racial and gender equity\, the law is Saneliso’s tool of choice in the fight to advance social justice. Saneliso enjoys providing advice and developing creative solutions to issues facing her union clients in all aspects of labour relations. Whether in bargaining\, mediation or arbitration\, she takes great care to listen to her clients\, understand their needs and goals\, and to craft a plan to meaningfully address them. \nSaneliso represents both public and private sector unions across a wide range of industries and enjoys the challenge of learning about the complexities of each workplace. Her clients have included education workers\, teachers\, faculty members\, performers\, health care and transit workers. \nDr. Natasha Gakhal and Dr. Evelyn Rozenblyum – JIA Transition Clinic Team \nPediatric Rheumatologist\, Dr Evelyn Rozenblyum and Adult Rheumatologist\, Dr Natasha Gakhal make up the Juvenile Arthritis Transition Clinic at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto – an innovative model of care where pediatric\, adult and allied health practitioners see and manage young adults with juvenile arthritis to improve medical and psychosocial outcomes for the community. This is their fourth year collaborating with Cassie + Friends to deliver a transition-focused virtual education session for families affected from right across Canada! URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/beyondtransition/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/goodtransition.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20240319T163000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20240319T180000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030538 CREATED:20240206T044035Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240613T180432Z UID:12967-1710865800-1710871200@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:Vital Connections: Building Strong Relationships with Your Healthcare Team DESCRIPTION:You know the saying “it’s not what you know\, it’s who you know”… connections can make all the difference. Finding a strong community of support and building healthy relationships with your child’s healthcare team are critical to successfully navigating life with JA/childhood rheumatic disease. \nIn this session\, certified family life educator and parent coach\, Lisa Greene will walk us through the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of cultivating strong relationships with your pediatric rheumatology team. You’ll also hear from JA Mom\, Brittany Dieroff\, who will share how her daughter’s healthcare team supported her in making tough treatment decisions and why she was inspired to get more involved with the Cassie + Friends community locally. \nJoin this session for the opportunity to: \n\nMeet other families in our community\nHear directly from a parent speaker sharing her family’s experience navigating JA and how they worked alongside their care team to set their daughter up for success\nLearn how to build and improve relationships and advocate for your family with your healthcare team\n\nAnd\, don’t forget to bring your questions for the live Q+A! \nRegister Today!Meet Our SpeakersLisa Greene\, Certified Family Life Educator & Parent Coach\, Author \nLisa is a certified family life educator\, certified parent coach and (most importantly) MOM! And\, as a parent of two children living with chronic illness\, Lisa knows the challenges parents and caregivers may face. \nSince 2004\, she has worked with Foster Cline MD\, a well-known child psychiatrist and co-founder of the popular Love and Logic parenting program. Together\, they have created several new Love and Logic resources including the award-winning book Parenting Children with Health Issues and the DVD Parenting Children with Special Medical Needs: Love and Logic Tools for Raising Resilient Kids. Lisa presents workshops to hospitals and non-profit organizations throughout North America and through her sessions\, parents walk away with a lighter step and simple\, practical parenting tools. Lisa’s message is: “You can do it!” \nBrittany Dieroff\, JA Parent | Edmonton\, AB \nMeet Brittany Dieroff\, a mom whose journey into the world of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) began with the diagnosis of her daughter at just 18 months old. Despite her background as a Respiratory Therapist\, Brittany found herself navigating unfamiliar territory\, working to understand the nuances of this challenging disease. Over the last few years\, with the help of Cassie + Friends\, she has gained valuable insights that have reshaped her perspective both personally and professionally. As a Parent Ambassador for Cassie + Friends in Edmonton\, she is committed to raising awareness and support for those affected by juvenile arthritis. \nJoining our Q+A Panel:Heather Ross\, Pediatric Nurse | McMaster Children’s Hospital\, Hamilton ON \nHeather Ross is a dedicated pediatric nurse at McMaster Children’s Hospital. She has 16 years of experience working with the pediatric population. And joined the Rheumatology team at McMaster Children’s Hospital in February of 2023. She is passionate about providing compassionate care to young patients with rheumatic diseases and ensuring their comfort and well-being throughout their journey. \nVictoria Molnar\, Registered Social Worker | Glenrose Rehabilitation (Stollery Children’s Hospital)\, Edmonton\, AB \nVictoria has been working with a multi-disciplinary team in Pediatric Rheumatology\, Brain Injury and SROP clinic at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton\, AB for 8 years. She has supported families as a Social worker for 19 yrs with Alberta Health Services. \nVictoria is a mom of 2 girls and serves in many volunteer positions to better lives in her community. She has a heart for helping grieving families and on mission to advocate for connections to help support them. \nDon’t forget to join our Juvenile Arthritis Canada Facebook Group to continue to connect with parents\, caregivers and community members after the session. \nYou are never alone\, Join our Online Support Network today! \nJA Canada Facebook Group URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/vitalconnections/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Vital-Connections-Banner-VES-COMMS-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20231024T163000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20231024T183000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030538 CREATED:20230906T182234Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240613T180542Z UID:11981-1698165000-1698172200@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:How to Gym with JA and Other Rheumatic Diseases: Work Out Techniques\, Modifications and More! DESCRIPTION:Register today!\nAre you a teen or young adult wondering if having a childhood rheumatic disease means you should modify your gym routine and how? Or maybe you’re a parent whose teen is getting ready to start working out and looking for proper techniques? \nExercise has many benefits associated with overall rheumatic disease management (including for your mental health)\, and in October\, we will be hosting a special session focused on how to do it safely! \nNo workout experience necessary. Whether you’re looking for encouragement to just get started or have questions about supplements and overall JA impacts\, managing pain\, and what the latest research on ‘juvenile arthritis and exercise’ is revealing\, our ‘How to Gym With JA and Other Rheumatic Diseases’ webinar is here to connect you with the information you need to workout confidently. \nJoin our experts\, Dr. Kristin Houghton\, Pediatric Rheumatologist\, alongside Dr. Astrid DeSouza\, Pediatric Exercise Physiologist and Dr. Lori Tucker\, Pediatric Rheumatologist from BC Children’s Hospital\, as they share trusted information\, helpful tips\, and answer questions during our live Q+A. \nSession Speakers:\nDr. Kristin Houghton | Pediatric Rheumatologist and Sports Medicine Specialist\, BC Children’s Hospital \nKristin is a pediatric rheumatologist and sports medicine specialist at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. She is actively involved in education and research. She is Vice Chair of the Rheumatology Subspecialty Committee and serves on the Royal College exam board. \nHer research interests include physical activity and exercise in children with chronic illness. She is involved in advocacy and health promotion and served two terms on the Canadian Pediatric Society’s Healthy Active Living and Sports Medicine committee. \nKristin enjoys working with athletes and has volunteered as team doctor for the Canadian National and Under-20 women’s soccer teams and volunteer physician at the 2010 Paralympics. Currently she coaches her 12 year old son’s soccer team. \nAstrid De Souza | ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist\, BC Children’s Hospital \nAstrid De Souza is an ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist who graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Master of Science degree in Exercise Physiology. She has worked in the Children’s Heart Centre at BC Children’s Hospital since 2006 and has also worked in the Healthy Heart Program at St. Paul’s from 2007-2016. \nShe is involved in exercise testing\, exercise prescription and rehabilitation in\nchildren with chronic diseases. She continues to work on innovative ways to provide rehabilitation services to children\, largely focused on technology such as text messaging\, virtual platforms and virtual\nreality. Astrid is passionate about teaching patients and their families about the benefits of physical activity and how it can be used as tool to improve outcomes and quality of life. \nShe continues to work to translate her knowledge to patients\, the allied health team and the physicians who are all working towards the common goal of advancing the care for children with chronic diseases. \nDr. Lori Tucker | Pediatric Rheumatologist\, BC Children’s Hospital \nDr. Lori Tucker is a Clinical Professor in Pediatrics\, and Division Head\, Division of Pediatric Rheumatology\, BC Children’s Hospital and University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on physical activity in children and youth with JIA\, development of shared decision-making in pediatric rheumatology care\, and autoinflammatory diseases in children. \nShe is one of the founding members of the Canadian Alliance of Pediatric Rheumatology Investigators. In addition\, she is a passionate advocate for kids with rheumatic diseases and their families\, provincially and nationally and as a member of the Cassie + Friends Board \nRyan Dekker | Youth Speaker\, BC \nRyan was diagnosed with JA at age 14\, and faced symptoms as early as age 11. Though this diagnosis was quite a shock for someone who had grown up playing sports and staying active\, he was determined to return to working out and the football field. \nAfter high school and some time playing junior football in the CJFL\, Ryan pursued a career in finance and remains focused on his physical health. Away from the office\, he continues to challenge himself in half marathons with team Cassie and Friends and he most recently completed the Whistler Gran Fondo. URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/how-to-gym-with-ja-from-the-experts/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Untitled-design-6.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230914T163000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230914T183000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030538 CREATED:20230707T174436Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230906T205806Z UID:11525-1694709000-1694716200@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:Webinar: Gearing Up For Back To School DESCRIPTION:Register today!\n\nSchool is back in session which means families affected by juvenile arthritis and other childhood rheumatic diseases are looking to learn how to best set up their child or teen up for success in the classroom: \n\n\n\nHow do I explain JA to educators\, coaches and the administration?\nWhat about missed classes due to medical appointments\, flares\, and medication side effects?\nHow should my child advocate for themselves when I’m not there?\nWhat about backpacks\, pen grips and other supports?\nHow can we reduce the weight load of textbooks\, school supplies and other items that leave my child aching?\n\n\n\n\nCassie + Friends is here to connect you with the answers you need! \n\n\n\nRegister for our upcoming Back-to-School webinar where we’ll work together to create a personalized ‘School Action Plan’ alongside an Occupational Therapist\, Physiotherapist\, School Principal & JA Parent! We guarantee you’ll leave this session feeling confident and fully equipped to tackle back to school this fall. As always\, bring your questions for our live Q+A! \n\n\nRegister today! We are pleased to offer this session live in both English and French! \n\n\n\n\nLooking for links to our Top 5 Tips for Back-to-School?\nFind them here! \n\n\nSession Speakers:\nSarah James | Occupational Therapist\, BC Children’s Hospital \nSarah is an occupational therapist currently working at BC Children’s Hospital Rheumatology clinic. She completed her PhD in 2014 at the University of Queensland in Brisbane\, Australia and moved to Canada in 2017 where she began working at BC Children’s Hospital. She has worked across a range of research and clinical areas\, and is passionate about supporting children and their families to work towards their individual goals. \nColleen Castonguay | Parent Speaker and School Principal\, Vancouver BC \nColleen\, her husband\, Lance and their two children\, Cole and Caden live in the Lower Mainland. Colleen is the principal of an elementary school. Caden was diagnosed with JIA when she was 3 years old. They have attended the annual Cassie + Friends Family Days regularly. Caden\, now almost 16 years old\, has developed some creative coping strategies over the years. She has found a variety of ways to manage difficult times and she has become more independent with her treatment. The Castonguay’s are an active family spending as much time as possible outdoors\, biking\, paddling and with their dog Nahanni. \nJo-Anne Marcuz | Physiotherapist\, SickKids \nJo-Anne Marcuz has been a registered physiotherapist since 2003 and has been working with the Rheumatology Division at SickKids since 2005. She enjoys working as part of an interdisciplinary team in striving to help patients achieve their optimal state of wellbeing and participation in the activities they love. Jo-Anne compliments her work at SickKids with teaching at the University of Toronto\, Department of Physical Therapy. She has also been fortunate to be involved in many research projects over the years. When not at work\, Jo-Anne adores her time with family. \nHeather Best | Occupational Therapist\, Mary Pack \nHeather is an Occupational Therapist currently working at the Mary Pack Arthritis Program in\nVancouver. She has 25 years of experience working with patients with rheumatic disease across many\ndifferent age groups. She worked as an OT in the pediatric rheumatology program at BC Children’s\nHospital for 10 of those years. Her current role includes supporting patients seen in the YARD program\nwhich is a clinic for patients transitioning from pediatric care to navigating adult care and post secondary\nchallenges and adventures. URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/gearing-up-for-back-to-school/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/School@cas.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230426T163000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230426T183000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030538 CREATED:20210820T220858Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230425T181931Z UID:7066-1682526600-1682533800@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:Beyond Transition: Easing Into Young Adulthood with Childhood Rheumatic Disease DESCRIPTION:Register Now!\nIn collaboration with the JIA Transition Clinic at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto\, we are excited to host a discussion about covering the full – and bigger – picture about easing into adulthood\, beyond transition! \nThis session will touch on transition principles and practices across Canada before switching gears to learning more about concurrent life events taking place outside of the doctor’s office. Our medical and young adult speakers will join us to offer guidance on some of the most pressing – yet often shied away from – topics: \n\n\n\n\n\nHow do I navigate alcohol consumption as a young adult with JA/rheumatic disease? (presented by a medical speaker)\nHow do I prepare for life after high school? What should I consider when embarking on new journeys such as college/university\, travel\, and work? (presented by a young adult speaker)\nWhat about relationships? How do I communicate my health needs? (presented by both a young adult and medical speaker)\n\n\n\n\n\nYou’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions of all speakers during our live Q+A\, learn about new resources available to you through Cassie + Friends\, and connect with others who have experience transitioning to adult care. \nWhether you’re a newly diagnosed family\, approaching/navigating teen years or preparing your young adult to head off to a new city or new school – this is a session you won’t want to miss! \nWe’re looking forward to seeing you there! \nSession Speakers:\nDr. Natasha Gakhal and Dr. Evelyn Rozenblyum – JIA Transition Clinic Team \nPediatric Rheumatologist\, Dr Evelyn Rozenblyum and Adult Rheumatologist\, Dr Natasha Gakhal make up the Juvenile Arthritis Transition Clinic at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto – an innovative model of care where pediatric\, adult and allied health practitioners see and manage young adults with juvenile arthritis to improve medical and psychosocial outcomes for the community. This is their third year collaborating with Cassie + Friends to deliver a transition-focused virtual education session for families affected from right across Canada! \nDr. Michelle Batthish\, Division Head\, Pediatric Rheumatology\, McMaster Children’s Hospital\nCassie + Friends Research Committee Chair \nDr Michelle Batthish is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University and Head of the Division of Rheumatology at McMaster Children’s Hospital. Her research interests are in transition to adult care where she is working on improving transition readiness in youth with chronic rheumatic disease. She is currently examining the role of a Transition Coach as well as helping parents throughout the transition process. She currently lends her passion and expertise to Cassie + Friends by serving as the C+F Research Committee Chair – learn more about her work with us here. \nTrish Peters\, Youth Speaker \nTrish is an inspiring community leader and one who has already accomplished so much in her young life. Having completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce\, she is now pursuing a Master’s Degree in the Netherlands\, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to her education and personal growth. \nTrish’s unique life experiences have given her a diverse perspective\, from receiving a JA diagnosis to navigating school and friendships to life after pediatric care and now successfully immersing herself in a different country (and continent!). \nHer blog post below highlights her strength and resilience\, and she is excited to share her story with you \nDr. Andrea Wallace\, Adolescent Medicine Pediatrician and Clinical Instructor at BC Children’s Hospital \nDr. Andrea Wallace is an Adolescent Medicine Pediatrician and Clinical Instructor at BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia. She works in the Adolescent Health Clinic and the BC Children’s Provincial Eating Disorders Program\, and is the Division Lead on Transition to Adult Health. She enjoys working with youth and their families to use their own unique strengths and resources to address chronic physical and mental health conditions. She has a special interest in supporting youth with chronic illnesses and disabilities to successfully transition to adult healthcare. She is excited to be collaborating with Cassie + Friends for the first time to deliver this virtual education session! URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/teentransitionwebinar/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/teentalks2.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Cassie and Friends":MAILTO:brittany@cassieandfriends.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230328T163000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230328T183000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030539 CREATED:20230113T225945Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230324T002148Z UID:10082-1680021000-1680028200@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:Newly Diagnosed: The First 12 Months DESCRIPTION:Having your child diagnosed with a chronic\, unfamiliar rheumatic disease can be overwhelming\, confusing and scary. The good news is – you are not alone! \nOn Tuesday\, March 28th\, you will have the chance to walk and talk your way through what to expect in the first 12 months after diagnosis alongside other families who are in the same stage of learning about and coming to terms with their child’s condition. \nGuided by Dr. Nadia Luca\, Pediatric Rheumatologist at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario\, you’ll get the chance to discuss topics such as medications/injections\, communicating your child’s needs at school\, and what support you can expect to receive from your pediatric rheumatology team. \nYou’ll also hear from a parent and youth speaker about the importance of finding a support system and tips they’ve learned along the way to help themselves and their family cope\, and even thrive\, within their new reality. \nAs always\, this session will be offered live in both English and French! Bring your question for our live Q+A! \nRegistration Now Open!\nSession Speakers:\nDr. Nadia Luca\, Pediatric Rheumatologist\, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario \nDr. Luca is a Pediatric Rheumatologist at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and recently made the move from Alberta Children’s Hospital. Completing her medical degree in 2006\, Dr. Luca went on to pediatric residency and fellowship in pediatric rheumatology at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. She also holds an MSc in Health Services Research and Clinical Epidemiology\, and is an active mentor and lecturer to students and residents. Currently\, she serves as the vice-chair of the Pediatrics Executive Committee for the Canadian Rheumatology Association. \nIn addition to being a recurring speaker within the Virtual Education Series\, Dr. Luca also sits on our medical advisory committee. \nAbby Leschyson\, Parent Speaker\, Winnipeg\, MB \nOver the past 12 months\, Abby\, her daughter Rosalie\, and their whole family have experienced major change. In 2022\, at age 6 Rosalie was diagnosed with JA. Together they have had to learn to expect the unexpected – such as medication fit\, side-effects and needle fears – while also learning the importance of finding a community of support and getting involved. Abby hopes that by sharing her family’s story\, she can raise awareness about juvenile arthritis and let other families know that they are not alone in their journey with JA and other childhood rheumatic diseases. Read Abby and Rosalie’s full story here. \nSophie Finn\, Youth Speaker\, Langley\, BC \nSophie is a grade 12 student living in Langley\, BC\, and was diagnosed with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) – a rare rheumatic disease – in 2017. She enjoys being engaged in her community; in addition to being a 2022/23 C+F Youth Ambassador\, she also serves as president of her high school’s graduation committee\, is on two leadership committees\, and coaches kids’ soccer (Sophie herself has 10 years of soccer experience under her belt). Sophie is currently working on her university applications and plans to study business or political science which she feels are aligned with her desire to both continue learning and serve as a leader in her community. Read Sophie’s full story here. URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/newly-diagnosed/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Untitled-design-2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230228T163000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230228T183000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030539 CREATED:20230113T222838Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230209T170930Z UID:10071-1677601800-1677609000@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:RareTalks: Genetics and Childhood Rheumatic Diseases DESCRIPTION:Ever wondered about the role of genetics in your child’s rheumatic disease? Have questions you’ve been wanting to ask an expert in the field? Interested in meeting other families\, including those navigating more rare rheumatic conditions\, like Behcet’s\, DADA2\, Fever Syndromes\, JDM and more? \nJoin us February 28th (Rare Disease Day!) for an informative presentation and Q+A with Dr. Ashish Marwaha\, a Clinic Medical Geneticist at Alberta Children’s Hospital with a special interest in pediatric rheumatology. After his overview\, you’ll have the chance to participate in disease-specific breakout rooms where you can meet and learn from other families and youth. Have a specific question for Dr. Marwaha? You can let us know during registration! \nThis session will also be interpreted live into French. \nRegistration Now Open! \nMedical Speaker: \nDr. Ashish (Ash) Marwaha is an early career clinician scientist and clinical medical geneticist focusing on complex immune dysregulation disorders. He has used a collaborative approach to build an integrated research care pathway that aims to diagnose the cause of rare diseases and lead to improved targeted treatment. His research expertise includes whole genome sequencing\, RNA sequencing\, polygenic risk score analysis\, epigenomics and machine learning integration of multi-omic data. He ultimately wants to use his extensive clinical trial experience to implement precision therapy for this patient population. \nGuest Emcee and C+F Parent Leader: \nSara Ethier has three children\, one of whom is a child with a rare autoinflammatory disease.  She discovered Cassie + Friends through the Alberta Children’s hospital in the hopes of finding support and resources to navigate the difficulties of parenting a child with a chronic and rare health issue. \nBased out of Calgary\, Sara is a member of the Canadian Systemic Autoinflammatory Patient Advisory Group (Can-SAID)\, a branch of Cassie and Friends (C+F’s).  She recognizes the need for families to find connection\, support\, and information as they deal with the unique experiences and challenges of their autoinflammatory journey.  An adjunct instructor in Communications and Liberal Arts Studies\, Sara is personally interested in the power of storytelling as part of advocacy efforts to foster more awareness and understanding of these diseases and the impact they have on children and their families.    \nC+F Parent Leader: \nLiz Devens knows all too well what it’s like to grow up with JIA- she was diagnosed at the age of seven. Years later\, her son Jason was diagnosed when he was less than two years old. Could this be genetic? Their journey of genetic testing\, the frustrations and ultimately their findings help shine a light on the the importance of genetic testing for childhood rheumatic disease. URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/raretalks-genetics/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Untitled-design-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20221129T163000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20221129T183000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030539 CREATED:20220819T182404Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221122T222620Z UID:9272-1669739400-1669746600@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:What's Your Gut Telling You? JIA and the Gut Microbiome Connection DESCRIPTION:Register Today!\nDid you know that around 70% of our body’s immune cells are located in the gut? This has caused scientists to pay special attention to the 100 trillion+ microorganisms living in the gut when trying to answer every parent’s rightful question\, why did my child develop arthritis? And while research has yet to determine the exact cause of JIA (that’s the Idiopathic part)\, we do know that the microbiome plays a key role in how our immune system functions and overall health. \nSo what happens when there is a presence of undesirable microbes? Is it possible that they could trigger an immune self-targeting of the joints (i.e. arthritis)? Could disturbances to the microbiome make JIA symptoms worse? \nJoin Kelsey Thompson\, Research Associate in the Huttenhower Laboratory at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Department of Biostatistics as she shares her research into JIA and the Gut Microbiome. You’ll hear about how she used DNA in stool samples (that’s right\, poop!) to identify potential microbial culprits in kids with JIA\, and how research into the microbiome-JIA connection may even open doors to new treatment or prevention strategies in the future. \nIn this session you’ll also learn:\n• about treatment that may allow the good microbes in the gut to come back\n• how gut microbes rapidly change with age\n• how changes in gut microbes affect both the function of the gut (i.e. decreased nutrient availability and vitamins) and inflammatory disease symptoms. \nAs always\, this session will be offered live in both English and French! Bring your question for our live Q+A! \n    Session Speakers\nKelsey Thompson\nResearch Associate @Huttenhower Laboratory at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Department of Biostatistics\nKelsey Thompson is a Research Associate in the Huttenhower Laboratory at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Department of Biostatistics\, and an affiliate with the Broad Institute. Kelsey has a Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology from Texas Tech University and a B.S. in Marine Science from the University of New England. Kelsey is currently focusing on the role of the gut microbiome in systemic inflammation\, in the context of inflammatory arthritis. This includes investigating communities’ taxonomy and function and the ecological dynamics of communities. She has also been involved in a myriad of other projects while with the Huttenhower group\, including the role of dietary polyphenols in gut composition\, the impact of exposure to mixtures of toxicants\, and the gut microbiome in colorectal cancer. You can learn more about Kelsey’s work here.\nCassie Porte\nYouth Speaker\n\nTune in to hear right from Cassie herself! \nCassie was diagnosed with JIA when she was just 20 months old after waking up one morning and being unable to walk. As time passed\, Cassie started to feel sick after eating certain foods and was eventually diagnosed with celiac disease. She’s excited to be speaking at our webinar to share more about her journey\, diet\, and what it was like growing up with both diagnoses.  In the meantime\, you can learn more about her experience in her recent blog post. URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/gutmicrobiome/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Copy-of-JIA-and-GM-1.png ORGANIZER;CN="Cassie and Friends":MAILTO:brittany@cassieandfriends.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220913T163000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220913T183000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030539 CREATED:20220713T232437Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240613T181426Z UID:9104-1663086600-1663093800@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:TMJ: Tips and Tricks for a Healthy Jaw DESCRIPTION:Click here to register today!\nHave you ever wondered how arthritis and other rheumatic diseases might affect the jaw? You’re not the only one… and we’ve got the answers! \nJoin us on September 13 to hear from Pediatric Rheumatologist\, Dr. Marinka Twilt and Pediatric Physiotherapist\, Julia Brooks\, as they discuss: \n• Signs and symptoms of jaw problems and how to determine if it’s related to arthritis or a separate problem?\n• Why certain tests might be needed\n• At-home jaw exercises\n• And some tips and tricks for a healthy jaw. \nYou’ll also get to hear the first-hand experience of navigating jaw pain from youth speaker\, Emily Bessey! \nSession Speakers\nDr. Marinka TwiltPediatric Rheumatologist at Alberta Children’s Hospital\n\nMarinka Twilt trained in the Netherlands and Toronto. After working in the UK and Denmark she joined the Alberta Children’s Hospital in 2015 where she runs the Autoinflammatory Diseases clinic. \nDr. Twilt’s interests are in precision medicine for rheumatic diseases\, autoinflammatory diseases and TMJ arthritis. Dr. Twilt is active in the Childhood Arthritis Rheumatology Research Alliance autoinflammatory group and leads the development of the CARRA AID registry. Dr. Twilt is also interested in training the new young generation and is active in the Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist program. \n\nJulia BrooksPediatric physiotherapist at the Alberta Children’s Hospital\n\nJulia is a pediatric physiotherapist at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. She received her Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation\, Physical Therapy (BMRPT) in 2003 from the University of Manitoba. She has published on subjects such as Exercise Therapy in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis\, Assessment of Joint and Muscle Bleeds\, and Standards of Care and Clinical Practice Guidelines for Persons with Hemophilia. She is currently the President of the Canadian Physiotherapists in Hemophilia Care\, and on the committee of the Canadian Bleeding Disorders Registry (CBDR)\, as well as the Parents Empowering Parents committee. \n\nEmily BesseyYouth Speaker – Patient Perspective \nEmily Bessey is a 19-year-old university student\, originally from Cole Harbour\, Nova Scotia. Emily was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis at the age of 6\, and after approximately a year of treatment\, her team discovered damage to her TMJ joints as well as the surrounding cartilage. Since then\, Emily has been followed by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery team at the QEII Hospital in Halifax as well as the rheumatology departments at the IWK Health Centre and QEII Hospital. She is scheduled for jaw surgery this December. Emily is currently studying Musical Theatre and Gender Studies at St. Thomas University in Fredericton\, New Brunswick\, she is a self-described “bookworm” and also loves volunteering\, hiking and singing. You can read more about Emily’s journey with TMJ here. URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/tmj/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/1260-x-684.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220525T163000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220525T183000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030539 CREATED:20220502T231221Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240319T202754Z UID:8803-1653496200-1653503400@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:Tools + Strategies for Managing Needle Fears DESCRIPTION:A little nervous about needles? Let’s be honest – most of us are. But having to give your child an injection often comes with a new level of nervousness and\, often\, anxiety. By equipping yourself with the right tools and strategies\, you can make the injection experience easier for both you and your child and ensure that medication is delivered on time! \nJoin us for a special ‘Managing Needle Fears’ workshop specifically for families navigating childhood rheumatic diseases and looking to learn about needle fear strategies that can be used both at home and in the clinic. \nThis workshop will involve learning: \n• What is needle fear?\n• Tools to help with low to medium levels of fear\n• Strategies to manage pain and fainting from needles\n• Tools to help with high levels of fear (facing fears!)\n• How to manage possible anticipatory nausea when practicing facing fears of needles? \nWe’re proud to be offering this workshop in partnership with Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP). \nOur Speakers\nDr. Katie Birnie\nClinical Psychologist at Alberta Children’s Hospital and Associate Scientific Director at Solution for Kids in Pain\n\n\nDr. Katie Birnie is a Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology\, Perioperative and Pain Medicine at the University of Calgary where she leads the Partnering For Pain program. She is the Assistant Scientific Director of Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP)\, a national knowledge mobilization network\, and provides clinical care at Alberta Children’s Hospital.\nKaytlin Constantin\nPhD Candidate in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology\, Pediatric Pain\, Health and Communication Lab at the University of Guelph\n\n\nKaytlin Constantin works alongside with Dr. Meghan McMurtry at the University of Guelph. Her research has examined the biopsychosocial contributors to parent and child experiences during pediatric acute pain\, including needle-related pain. She has received several scholarships and her work has been disseminated locally\, nationally and internationally through conference presentations\, peer-reviewed publications\, book chapters and webinars. She is passionate about improving needle-related experiences for families in addition to making services more accessible. To that end\, she has been involved in various research and clinical activities related to the assessment and management of needle-related fears\, including co-developing and facilitating a virtual 5-week evidence-based group intervention to support families experiencing high levels of needle fear.\nDr. Meghan McMurtry\, \nAssociate Professor in Psychology at the University of Guelph\, director of the Pediatric Pain\, Health\, and Communication Lab\, and a Clinical and Health Psychologist with the Pediatric Chronic Pain Program at McMaster Children’s Hospital. \n\nDr. McMurtry’s research and clinical interests focus on acute and chronic pain\, medical procedure-related fear\, as well as communication and family influences in these contexts. Dr. McMurtry was the Co-Principal Investigator and an Evidence Lead on the national Help Eliminate Pain in Kids and Adults Team which created two clinical practice guidelines regarding vaccination pain and needle fear management; aspects from the pain management guideline were endorsed for vaccinations worldwide by the World Health Organization (WHO). She is a member of the CARDTM scientific team; the CARD framework makes the pain management guideline actionable. Dr. McMurtry was the sole psychologist on the small subcommittee for the WHO’s Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety tasked with creating guidance on immunization stress-related responses. She also recently served as the sole psychologist on the 25 person Guideline Development Group representing 17 countries for the WHO’s Guideline for the Management of Chronic Pain in Children. URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/tools-strategies-for-managing-needle-fears/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Untitled-design.png ORGANIZER;CN="Cassie and Friends":MAILTO:brittany@cassieandfriends.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220423T143000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220423T160000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030539 CREATED:20220309T193454Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220413T233216Z UID:8320-1650724200-1650729600@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:Webinar: CRMO DESCRIPTION:Register Now! \nJoin us to hear from Dr. Polly Ferguson\, Director\, Pediatric Rheumatology\, Allergy and Immunology; Department of Pediatrics University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine to discuss all things CRMO and specifically what we know about the cause of this rare rheumatic disease. \nWe will also be joined by guest emcee\, Dr. Lori Tucker\, Clinical Professor in Pediatrics\, Pediatric Rheumatology\, BC Children’s Hospital\, University of British Columbia who will share a bit about a new CRMO research group in Canada. Bring your questions for the live Q+A! And\, as always\, this session will be translated live into French. \nDr. Polly Ferguson \nDr. Polly Ferguson received her medical degree from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and completed her training at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. In 2002\, she joined the faculty at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine where she is currently the Marjorie K. Lamb Professor of Pediatrics\, Director of Pediatric Rheumatology\, Allergy and Immunology and Executive Vice Chair at the University of Iowa Stead Family Department of Pediatrics. \nHer research focuses on uncovering the genetic and immunologic basis of autoinflammatory disease\, particularly those that affect the bone\, as well as understanding the role of inflammation in neurologic disease. She has identified several genes that cause sterile osteomyelitis and has translated findings into effective treatment. She has nearly 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts\, plus book chapters\, group publications and commentaries. Her work has been cited more than 5500 times. \nSheila Grant\, Parent Speaker \nSheila lives with her family in Qualicum Beach\, BC. Two of Sheila’s teenage sons\, Nolan and Blair\, live with Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis (CRMO) and attend BC Children’s Hospital for their care. Despite being diagnosed at different times and with different initial symptoms\, both Nolan and Blair now live very active lifestyles and enjoy the outdoors! To learn more about Sheila’s family’s experience with CRMO in advance of the webinar\, click here! URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/crmo/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Group-shot-e1647296369531.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Cassie and Friends":MAILTO:brittany@cassieandfriends.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220405T163000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220405T173000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030539 CREATED:20220310T184208Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220405T224232Z UID:8348-1649176200-1649179800@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:Ask the Expert: JIA Information Session DESCRIPTION:What would you ask if you had extra time with your pediatric rheumatologist?? \nIs your family newly diagnosed and wondering what comes next? Or maybe you’ve been learning to navigate JIA for a while but have a question for an expert? If so\, then you won’t want to miss this special Q+A session! \nJoin us on April 5th to connect with other families\, get answers to your questions\, and leave feeling reassured that you have an entire community supporting you. Answering your most pressing questions will be Dr. Nadia Luca\, Pediatric Rheumatologist at Alberta Children’s Hospital and member of the Cassie + Friends Medical Advisory Committee. \nBefore the LIVE session\, we highly recommend newly diagnosed families prepare by watching our JIA 101 webinar here: cassieandfriends.ca/event/jia101. \n\nRegister here.\nDr. Nadia Luca\, Pediatric Rheumatologist \nDr. Luca is a Clinical Assistant Professor with the University of Calgary Department of Medicine and practices as a Pediatric Rheumatologist at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. Completing her medical degree in 2006\, Dr. Luca went on to paediatric residency and fellowship in paediatric rheumatology at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. She also holds an MSc in Health Services Research and Clinical Epidemiology\, and is an active mentor and lecturer to students and residents. URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/asktheexpertjia/ LOCATION:Facebook CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Parents-listening.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Cassie and Friends":MAILTO:brittany@cassieandfriends.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220315T163000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220315T180000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030539 CREATED:20220111T164311Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220314T175416Z UID:7866-1647361800-1647367200@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:Pain Pain Go Away: Managing Chronic Pain DESCRIPTION:Pain\, Pain\, Go Away: Managing Chronic Pain\nBack by popular demand!\n\n\nPain in children with rheumatic disease is common. It is also frustrating\, stressful\, and worrisome for the child and the whole family. Pain can also be tricky – and stick around even after the inflammation caused by rheumatologic disease is felt to be well controlled. \n\nThis session will discuss pediatric chronic pain and will focus on short and long-term strategies to help kids and their families cope with day-to-day pain\, so they can get back to doing the things they love!\nMore specifically\, we will: \n\n\nReview pediatric chronic pain in the context of rheumatic diseases\nDiscuss the biopsychosocial model of chronic pain\nExplore evidence-based management strategies for children with chronic pain\nDiscuss tips and tricks for kids and families\n\nBe sure to bring your questions for the live Q+A or submit them during registration! \n\n\n\nRegister Here!\n\nGuest Speakers:\nDr. Tara McGrath\, MD\, FRCPC\nPediatric Rheumatologist & Pain Medicine Physician\nUniversity of Alberta & Stollery Children’s Hospital\nDr. Tara McGrath is a Pediatric Rheumatologist and Pediatric Pain Medicine Specialist currently working at the Stollery Children’s Hosptial in Edmonton\, AB. She completed her pediatric rheumatology training at BC Children’s Hospital. Prior to this training\, she spent a year completing a clinical and research training program in pediatric pain management\, funded by the Stollery Children’s Foundation. Dr. McGrath has worked with many amazing kids with chronic pain who have come a long way in understanding their pain and making changes in their lives. She says she loves empowering them with the education and tools they need to lead the lives they want.\n\n\nJennifer Heeley & Devyn Nichols \nMother and daughter speaker-duo\n\n“Devyn\, now 14 years old\, was diagnosed with undifferentiated JIA after years of pain when she was 12 years old. Like every parent who has been on this journey\, I immediately looked for as much information as I could find to help my girl. So much of this journey left me feeling helpless as a parent\, but the opportunity to be involved at Cassie + Friends truly provides me with the chance to take control and make a difference. To ensure no family\, no child\, has to feel alone with this.” \n\n\n\n\nDevyn and Jennifer live in Amherstburg\, ON\, a small town just outside of Windsor. They have hosted their own VIRTUAL Team Cassie + Friends event in their community and have truly been leaders in raising awareness of JA\, sharing their experiences and bringing other families together. Jennifer is currently a member of the Cassie + Friends Board of Directors and Devyn is a strong\, courageous and inspirational youth cultivating a safe space for all youth with rheumatic diseases! URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/managingpain/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/IMG_8075-scaled-e1642103755986.jpeg ORGANIZER;CN="Cassie and Friends":MAILTO:brittany@cassieandfriends.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220215T163000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220215T180000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030539 CREATED:20220113T200700Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220210T215729Z UID:7880-1644942600-1644948000@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:Sleep 101: Understanding Your Sleep Health DESCRIPTION:Does your child’s pain keep them (& you) up at night? \nWe’ve often heard that some of the best treatments for childhood rheumatic diseases include healthy eating\, physical activity and a good night’s sleep. But we know that these activities are usually easier said than done. When pain\, worry and the need for comfort keep us up at night\, what impact does it have on our sleep and our overall health? \nOn February 15th\, Dr. Glenn Landry will discuss the importance of good sleep health for you\, your child and your whole family. More specifically\, you’ll learn about: \n\nhow to improve physical and mental health through better sleep\nthe impact of chronic sleep debt on human health and performance\ntracking your sleep using technology and creating a solid bedtime routine\nand more!\n\nRegister Here! \nGuest Speaker:\nDr. Glenn J. Landry\, PhD\nGlenn Landry has studied circadian rhythms and sleep for over 20 years. He completed his graduate research at Simon Fraser University\, examining circadian mechanisms of entrainment. He then focused his research efforts on sleep\, aging and cognition as a CIHR postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose’s Aging\, Mobility\, and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab at UBC. Now in private practice\, Glenn is a sleep coach. He works with older adults\, shift workers\, and families to improve physical and mental health through better sleep quality by translating sleep science into practical interventions tailored to each client. \nSarah James\, Occupational Therapist\, BC Children’s Hospital \nSarah is an occupational therapist currently working at BC Children’s Hospital Rheumatology clinic. She completed her PhD in 2014 at the University of Queensland in Brisbane\, Australia and moved to Canada in 2017 where she began working at BC Children’s Hospital. She has worked across a range of research and clinical areas\, and is passionate about supporting children and their families to work towards their individual goals. \nThis session is offered by our friends at:\n  \nThank you! \nOur Virtual Education Series is made possible with the generous support of our friends and sponsors: URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/sleep/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Emily.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Cassie and Friends":MAILTO:brittany@cassieandfriends.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20211125T163000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20211125T180000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030539 CREATED:20211015T162642Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211112T204533Z UID:7536-1637857800-1637863200@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:Injections 101 DESCRIPTION:Register Now!\nA little nervous about needles? Let’s be honest – most of us are. But having to give your child an injection often comes with a new level of nervousness and\, often\, anxiety. \nBy equipping yourself with education\, tools\, and resources you can make the injection experience easier for both you and your child and ensure that medication is delivered on time! \nWe’re really excited for the speaker line-up who will be discussing all things ‘Injections’ including: \n• Medications that are typically administered via injection or infusion\, injection location \n• What happens when this medication is prescribed/what are the next steps? \n• Principles of making the experience less anxiety-inducing\, needle pain vs. needle phobia\, an overview of tools/strategies (CBT\, hypnotherapy) and other distraction techniques \n• Hear from a parent and patient duo as they share their injection routine and experience with us \nCassie + Friends is here to empower you and your family to confidently thrive alongside pediatric rheumatic disease – we look forward to seeing you at the session! \nIn the meantime\, check out our Injection Support Resource page for more information. \nDr. Nicole Johnson\, Pediatric Rheumatologist at Alberta Children’s Hospital \nDr. Nicole Johnson is a clinical pediatric rheumatologist practicing at Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary\, Alberta Canada since 2004 and a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Calgary. Dr. Johnson received her university education at Canadian Institutions including McGill\, McMaster\, Queen’s and the University of Toronto. Dr. Johnson has been an advocate for community awareness for children with rheumatic diseases. She has volunteered her time to many media appearances to highlight childhood arthritis. In addition\, she has a special interest in the subject of transitioning young adults with chronic rheumatic illnesses to adult health care systems. She has contributed to medical education both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She also participates in Canadian and international clinical research of childhood rheumatic diseases. \nLynne Broderick (she/her)\, Pediatric Rheumatology Nurse \nLynne graduated from The Royal Liverpool Teaching Hospital College located in the United Kingdom in 1981. She began working at the IWK Health Centre as a Registered Nurse in 1990 in the Pediatric Medicine Unit and has been part of the Rheumatology Team since 2007. As a pediatric nurse\, Lynne works with families to navigate the injection experience and will be joining to share information about what can be expected once an injectable medication is prescribed. \nDr. Katie Birnie (she/her)\, Clinical Psychologist \nDr. Katie Birnie is a Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology\, Perioperative and Pain Medicine at the University of Calgary where she leads the Partnering For Pain program. She is the Assistant Scientific Director of Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP)\, a national knowledge mobilization network\, and provides clinical care at Alberta Children’s Hospital. \nColleen Castonguay (she/her)\nCaden Castonguay (she/her) \nColleen\, her husband\, Lance and their two children\, Cole and Caden live in the Lower Mainland. Caden was diagnosed with JIA 11 years ago\, when she was 3 years old. They have attended the annual Cassie + Friends Family Days regularly. Caden has developed some creative coping strategies and a tool kit that has helped her manage difficult moments with her treatment. The Castonguay’s are an active family spending as much time as possible outdoors\, biking\, paddling and with their puppy Nahanni. URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/injections-101/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/hposn.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Cassie and Friends":MAILTO:brittany@cassieandfriends.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210913T163000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210913T180000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030539 CREATED:20210722T160950Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210909T000744Z UID:6887-1631550600-1631556000@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:Webinar: Biologics DESCRIPTION:Monday\, September 13th (4:30pm PST / 7:30pm EST)\nRegister Now!\nWebinar: Biologics\nThings you want to know about biologics but were afraid to ask! \nIn this session\, we will describe what biologic treatments are\, how they are different from other medications we use\, and when we might recommend that a child take a biologic treatment. We will explain what a ‘biosimilar’ treatment is\, and how they are used for children with arthritis and rheumatic diseases. \nYou’ll also hear first-hand from a youth speaker who will share their experience starting and self-administering biologics and strategies they’ve developed along the way. \nKey takeaways include: \n\nan understanding of how pediatric rheumatologists determine when to prescribe biologics\nwhat comes next if biologics isn’t the right treatment for your family\nthe latest on biologics research\nand so much more!\n\nBring your questions for our live Q+A where in addition to Dr. Lori Tucker and our youth speaker\, Julie Beausoleil\, we’ll be joined by Dr. Nadia Luca (Alberta Children’s Hospital) and Dr. Roberta Berard (London Health Sciences Centre). \nWe’re pleased to offer this session in both English and French! \n\nExpert Speaker\nDr. Lori Tucker\, Pediatric Rheumatologist\, BC Children’s Hospital \nDr. Lori Tucker is a Clinical Professor in Pediatrics\, Pediatric Rheumatology\, BC Children’s Hospital\, University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on physical activity in children and youth with JIA\, development of shared decision-making in pediatric rheumatology care\, and autoinflammatory diseases in children. She is one of the founding members of the Canadian Alliance of Pediatric Rheumatology Investigators. In addition\, she is a passionate advocate for kids with rheumatic diseases and their families\, provincially and nationally and as a member of the Cassie + Friends Board. \nJulie Beausoleil\, Patient Speaker \nJulie Beausoleil is a 20 year old\, third year student at the University of Ottawa pursuing her Bachelors of Commerce with a specialization in Management. She was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis when she was only 18 months old\, giving her plenty of experience managing her condition. She enjoys writing blogs about her experiences to support the JIA community\, hanging out with her dog\, and trying activities that give her an adrenaline rush\, such as rock climbing\, bungee jumping\, roller coasters\, and much more. To learn more about Julie’s JIA Journey\, click here. URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/biologics/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Copy-of-Team-CF-4-e1626969866355.png ORGANIZER;CN="Cassie and Friends":MAILTO:brittany@cassieandfriends.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210529T163000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210529T180000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030539 CREATED:20210309T004651Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210529T164921Z UID:6014-1622305800-1622311200@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:Putting on Your Life Jacket: Self-care for Caregivers DESCRIPTION:Register Today!\n\nOur next – and final – session of the 2020-21 Virtual Education Series is a special one for all types of caregivers! Cassie + Friends is excited to bring you the opportunity to learn from “Love and Logic” parenting educator\, author and parent of a child with a chronic condition herself\, Lisa Greene.\n\nAt this session\, you’ll learn how Lisa equipped herself (and her husband!) with the critical tools needed to rest\, recharge\, and remember that they\, too\, need care. Lisa will move between teaching and small\, intimate breakout groups where you can debrief and share with other parents in our community. You will walk away with a lighter step and immediately applicable\, practical\, and highly effective parenting tools specific to caring for children/teens with chronic disease. \nPrepare for the event in advance by reading pages 11-17 of Tools & Tips for Coping with a Diagnosis. \n\n \nWhat to expect from the session: \nThis workshop is designed to help you take care of yourself and manage the emotional rollercoaster commonly associated with parenting a child with a chronic medical condition. Specifically\, this session will help you:\n\n\n\n\n\ndevelop an increased understanding of your emotions\nunderstand the cycle of grief and chronic sorrow\nrecognize clinical symptoms of depression and anxiety that deserve professional help\nidentify ways to cope with difficult feelings and stress\nexplore wellness/self-care strategies that work best for you\nconnect with other caregivers in small breakout room discussions\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTake a new step towards caregiver self-care and register for this session today.\n\n\nAbout the Speaker: Lisa C. Greene\, M.A.\, CFLE \nWhen Lisa’s first child Jacob was born unexpectedly with cystic fibrosis\, she left her fifteen-year career in mortgage banking to focus on taking care of Jacob.  Needing information about both special needs and general parenting challenges\, she started digging into the many different parenting resources and experienced “information overload” along with conflicting\, and un-researched\, information about how to be an effective parent.   \nIt was then that Lisa discovered Love and Logic and life changed for the whole family. Now\, as an independent Love and Logic facilitator since 2002\, Lisa has taught the program professionally to thousands of parents around the country. She enjoys working with families so much that she decided to get additional training as a parent coach. In 2007\, she completed the parent coach certification program at ACPI. Lisa has also completed Love and Logic’s facilitator training program and is a Certified Positive Discipline Educator. For formal education\, Lisa has a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Central Washington University and completed her Master’s degree in Family Life Education at Concordia University in December 2013.  She also completed the 1\,600-hour work requirement for certification as a family life educator through National Council of Family Relations.  \nIn addition to helping parents raise healthy\, happy families\, she is the author of four books\, an international public speaker\, certified family life educator\, and parent coach. As a speaker and writer\, Lisa touches the lives of hundreds of families each year with her teachings and message of hope. \nRead more about Lisa’s journey at cassieandfriends.ca/stories/lisagreen. URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/putting-on-your-life-jacket-self-care-for-caregivers/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Mom-and-Daughter-Family-Day.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Cassie and Friends":MAILTO:brittany@cassieandfriends.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210424T143000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210424T160000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030539 CREATED:20210224T205144Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210412T220022Z UID:5920-1619274600-1619280000@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:Rare Rheumatic Disease Talks DESCRIPTION:Register Now for this FREE event!\nIs your family navigating JDM\, Fever Syndromes\, Lupus\, or Vasculitis? At Cassie + Friends\, we want you to know that you’re not alone! \nJoin us for an engaging discussion on these rare diseases facilitated by pediatric rheumatologists from across Canada. You’ll learn information specific to your child’s disease and meet other families with the same diagnosis in our break-out room sessions. \nBring your questions for our live Q+A! \nOverview of Autoinflammatory vs. Autoimmune Diseases\nDr. Lori Tucker\, Pediatric Rheumatologist\, BCCH \nDr. Lori Tucker is a Clinical Professor in Pediatrics\, Pediatric Rheumatology\, BC Children’s Hospital\, University of British Columbia.  Her research focuses on physical activity in children and youth with JIA\, development of shared decision-making in pediatric rheumatology care\, and autoinflammatory diseases in children.  She is one of the founding members of the Canadian Alliance of Pediatric Rheumatology Investigators.  In addition\, she is a passionate advocate for kids with rheumatic diseases and their families\, provincially and nationally and as a member of the Cassie & Friends Board. \nPresenting on Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM)\nDr. Adam Huber\, Pediatric Rheumatologist\, IWK Health Centre \nAdam Huber has been a pediatric rheumatologist at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax since 2000\, after having finished his training at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. \nHe is particularly interested in the assessment and outcomes of children with juvenile dermatomyositis and other rheumatic illnesses as well as in finding better ways to treat these illnesses. He is the current chair of the Juvenile Dermatomyositis Committee for the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance and sits on the Medical Advisory Board for Cure JM\, a patient advocacy and support group. He also has an interest in research ethics\, and has been co-chair of the IWK Health Centre Research Ethics Board for the last 15 years. \nPresenting on Lupus\nDr. Deborah Levy\, Pediatric Rheumatologist\, Sick Kids Hospital \nDr. Deborah Levy is the Clinical Director\, Division of Rheumatology at the Hospital for Sick Children (“SickKids”) in Toronto and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto.  Dr. Levy’s interests are broad; however\, she is co-director of the Lupus clinic at SickKids and her research primarily focuses on the long-term medical and psychosocial outcomes of childhood-onset Lupus. She has participated as a collaborator on multiple research projects through CAPRI.  She is also interested in alternate models of care for children with arthritis and is working with advanced practitioners to develop a new network of pediatric rheumatology providers for children in underserved communities within Ontario.  Advocacy work as the past Chair of the Pediatric Committee of the Canadian Rheumatology Association and as the Vice President (Pediatric) of the Ontario Rheumatology Association has helped to improve access to drugs for pediatric rheumatology patients.  Dr. Levy has lived\, trained and worked in both the US and Canada. \nPresenting on Vasculitis\nDr. David Cabral\, Pediatric Rheumatologist\, BC Children’s Hospital \nDavid Cabral trained in Western Australia and Vancouver. He joined the British Columbia Children’s Hospital (BCCH) rheumatology team in 1992 when he co-founded of the Young Adult Rheumatic Disease (YARD) clinic\, among the first such transition clinics in BCCH and across Canada. He has been Rheumatology Division head since 2004. His vision has been to integrate research with clinical care and teaching and in the last 10 years he helped establish a basic science research laboratory for pediatric rheumatology at BCCH lead by Dr Kelly Brown. Vasculitis is among his research interests and in 2007 he established an ongoing international physician network patient Registry for Childhood Vasculitis. He currently co-chairs a vasculitis working group within the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance. \nPresenting on Fever Syndromes:\nDr. Marinka Twilt\, Pediatric Rheumatologist\, Alberta Children’s Hospital \nMarinka Twilt trained in the Netherlands and Toronto. After working in the UK and Denmark she joined the Alberta Children’s Hospital in 2015 where she runs the Autoinflammatory Diseases clinic.  \nDr Twilt’s interests are in precision medicine for rheumatic diseases\, autoinflammatory diseases and TMJ arthritis. Dr Twilt is active in the Childhood Arthritis Rheumatology Research Alliance autoinflammatory group and leads the development of the CARRA AID registry. Dr Twilt is also interested in training the new young generation and is active in the Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist program. URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/rare-talks/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Toronto-Pic-1.png ORGANIZER;CN="Cassie and Friends":MAILTO:brittany@cassieandfriends.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210327T163000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210327T163000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030539 CREATED:20201214T191737Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210325T170520Z UID:5478-1616862600-1616862600@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:Webinar: Methotrexate DESCRIPTION:Register Now!\nIf your family has questions about methotrexate\, you’re not alone! In fact\, most families in the pediatric rheumatic disease community have questions about this form of treatment; what are the long-term effects of Methotrexate? Which is more effective\, oral or injections? My child feels sick with methotrexate\, what can I do about it?\n\nJoin pediatric rheumatologist\, Dr. Jaime Guzman as he discusses answers to these questions and more. This session will review the research behind methotrexate use in children (when and why it’s prescribed) and offer approaches to help minimize anticipated difficulties. Bring your questions for our live Q+A!\n\nWe are pleased to offer this session live in both English and French. Register here!\nSession Speakers\nDr. Jaime Guzman\, Pediatric Rheumatologist\nDr. Jaime Guzman is a physician and clinical epidemiologist educated in Mexico and Canada with specialist training in pediatric rheumatology and in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Currently\, Dr. Guzman is Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia\, Clinical Investigator at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute and attending rheumatologist at BC Children’s Hospital. Dr. Guzman’s research has been published in over 90 peer-reviewed scientific articles that have been cited more than 11\,000 times. Since 2011 his research focus is the course and prognosis of children with juvenile arthritis\, including pivotal papers on the outcomes of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and how to predict them. In 2017\, The Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Dutch funding agencies granted 8 million dollars in funding to a team including Doctor Guzman\, to advance personalized medicine in childhood arthritis. \nAbby Mazzone\, 13 \nAbby was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) when she was only 15 months old.  Since being diagnosed\, she’s taken many different kinds of medication and treatments including Methotrexate to treat her JIA and uveitis. Arthritis has never stopped her from doing the things she loves\, and she says\, “Arthritis may slow me down for a minute while we adjust my treatment plan\, but it’s never stopped me. When I was younger I took hip hop classes and gymnastics and now I do regular teenager things with my friends!” \nRead about Abby + Amy’s journey with JIA and methotrexate here. \nAmy Mazzone \nAmy is a mother of two\, who has been parenting her daughter\, Abby\, who lives with JIA for over 12 years. Through her daughter’s journey with JIA and Uveitis\, Amy has experienced many of the ups and downs of her daughter’s medication and treatment\, as well as parenting a child with a chronic illness. Amy is an active participant and supporter of research studies focused on pediatric rheumatic diseases as she believes Abby’s health would not be where it is today without it. In her spare time\, Amy loves to bake\, play slow pitch and spend time with her family and dog\, Buddy! URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/methotrexate/ CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/needle-boy.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Cassie and Friends":MAILTO:brittany@cassieandfriends.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201105T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201105T173000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030539 CREATED:20201016T230236Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211102T200836Z UID:4774-1604592000-1604597400@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:Juvenile Arthritis Transitions: Making the Move From Pediatric to Adult Care DESCRIPTION:This expert-led session is for anyone interested in learning more about what’s involved in the transition from pediatric to adult care and how you and your medical team can work together to ensure a smooth and successful process. \nFrom this session you will:\n+ Hear directly from parents and young adults about their real-life transition experiences\n+ Gain insight from an expert at SickKids about how you and your child/teen will be prepared to graduate from pediatric care\n+ Meet the JIA Transition Clinic team from Women’s College Hospital who will share the in and outs of what happens at clinic and how they will support you \nJIA Transitions Webinar Time Stamps0:00 Welcome from Cassie + Friends Executive Director\, Jennifer Wilson \n4:35 Introduction of Patient Speaker\, Morgan Harris \n5:11 Morgan Harris JIA Patient Speaker \n13:30 Morgans tips for teens \n16:05 Introduction Speaker\, Pediatric Rheumatologist\, Dr. Lynn Spiegel (SickKids Hospital) \n16:40 Dr. Lynn Spiegel Crossing from Pediatric to Adult Health Care \n18:05 Importance of Transition Planning \n18:30 How it works at SickKids \n19:50 Sign up for MyChart \n21:44 Transition and Social Media \n22:25 Teens Taking Charge \n23:34 iPeer2Peer Program (Skype based mentorship program) \n25: 14 Readiness for Adult CarE in Rheumatology (RACER Program) \n26:14 Healthcare Teams Responsibilities for Transition \n26:39 Teens Responsibilities \n29:10 Introduction to JIA Transitions Clinic Team -Toronto\, ON (Dr. Evelyn Rozenblyum\, Pediatric Rheumatologist\, Dr. Natasha Gakhal\, Danielle McCormack\, Physiotherapist) \n31:15 Objectives of the JIA Transition Clinic \n35:08 Team Members from JIA Transitions Clinic \n36:51 Philosophy of JIA Transitions Clinic \n37:54 Differences between pediatric and adult care \n39:06 Virtual Care  \n39:33 Who is the clinic for and who is on the clinic team? \n40:05 ACPac Physiotherapist (Danielle McCormack) \n41:34 Dr. Natasha Gakhal \n41:53 Administrative Assistant\, Social Worker \n43:22 Accessing Community Resources \n44:10 Navigating the Adult System \n45:27 Patient Goals \n46:43 Clinic Contact Number \n47:45 Summary + Closing \n50:00 Question + Answer Period \n50:07 Do I have to move services? I am happy with my care now.\n \n51:36 What were your biggest concerns as a parent? How did you deal with the transition for Morgan? \n55:40 Are there rules around parents attending the transition clinic? \n58:14 How can I be sure that my child will share the information they need to share and get the information they need to get? \n1:00:24 Who should bring transition up process at the beginning? The parent or the doctor? \n1:03:00 What kind of support can you offer those who are entering university and what support they can be accessing? \n1:04:53 Can you access the JIA Transitions Clinic (Toronto\, ON)  if you are coming from a different province? \n1:07:10 Have you had any experience or tips for those who are doing a semester abroad? \n1:09:48 How can I build this new relationship with my new transition clinic team? What was it like to build this new relationship? \n1:12:08 What if the relationship with your new clinic team is not going as planned? \n1:14:50 My daughter is 16 years old and her rheumatologist is retiring. Should my daughter begin transition early or should she become a patient of the new pediatric rheumatologist? \n1:16:40 Have you noticed any differences between females and males in the transitions process? \n1:21:20 What changes in healthcare coverages happen with the transition to adult care? \n1:24:06 I am 25 now\, can I stay with the JIA Transitions Clinic? \n1:26:37 Closing Remarks from Jennifer Wilson \n\nSession Speakers:\nDr. Lynn R. Spiegel MD\, FRCPC\n \nLynn Spiegel is a pediatric rheumatologist at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto\, an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto\, and a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Dr. Spiegel has been involved in local\, national and international research to develop programs and tools to support youth in their transition from pediatric to adult health care system. She has just developed an instrument to measure Transition Readiness in teens and young adults with JIA. \n  \n  \n  \n \nDr. Natasha Gakhal\, Dr. Evelyn Rozenblyum\, Danielle McCormack – Clinic Team \nPediatric Rheumatologist Dr. Evelyn Rozenblyum\, Adult Rheumatologist Dr. Natasha Gakhal and physiotherapist Danielle McCormack\, co-lead a transition clinic at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto for young people living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). At their clinic\, they jointly see clients between the ages of 17 and 25 who are in the in-between stages of pediatric and adult rheumatology care. \n  \n  \n  \nMorgan Harris\, Patient Speaker \nMorgan Harris was diagnosed with JIA when she was eight. Her transition from pediatric to adult care made her a bit scared as she turned 18 and moved from a lifetime of caring\, nurturing childhood doctors into the unknown. She had two doctors and multiple nurses who she knew cared about her and her health and she was afraid that she may not find a doctor in adult care that showed that same amount of concern for her health and well-being. In this session\, you’ll hear more about her experience and learn tips for making the move. URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/teentransition/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/New-Transition-.png ORGANIZER;CN="Cassie and Friends":MAILTO:brittany@cassieandfriends.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201024T163000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201024T183000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030539 CREATED:20200917T215553Z LAST-MODIFIED:20201103T184809Z UID:4582-1603557000-1603564200@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:Webinar: Uveitis DESCRIPTION:Did you miss out on our live Uveitis session? Looking for a refresher? Or a newly diagnosed family looking for more information? Watch the live recording below. What can you expect from Uveitis?\nHear about uveitis (eye inflammation) associated with JIA from Dr. Alan Rosenberg\, Pediatric Rheumatologist. You’ll learn where the inflammation occurs\, what the risks of the inflammation and treatments are\, and get a glimpse into the latest uveitis research. \nYou’ll also hear from a former patient of Dr. Rosenberg’s about their firsthand experience with uveitis. \nWebinar Recording Time Stamps \nDon’t have time to watch the full video? No problem! Below you will find all the questions our panelists were asked with the appropriate time stamp. 0:00 Opening remarks from Cassie + Friends Executive Director\, Jennifer Wilson \n4:20 Introduction of Speakers Becki Zerr and Dr. Alan Rosenberg \n6:40 Becki Zerr: JIA and Uveitis Diagnosis and experience \n17:38 Becki’s advice to parents \n18:25 Becki’s advice to patients \n19:16 Becki’s advice to doctors\, researchers and healthcare professionals \n19:37 Becki’s closing remarks \n19:54 Dr. Alan Rosenberg \n20:10 The Story of Jessica (JIA and Uveitis) \n22:59 Becki’s Story by Dr. Alan Rosenberg \n23:40 Research of Uveitis Associated with JIA \n24:33 How the eye works \n24:50 3 Main layers of the eye \n26:35 Anterior Uveitis \n27:00 Panuveitis \n27:11 Risk Factors and characteristics of Uveitis Associated with JIA \n27:47 Why does joint inflammation and eye inflammation occur together? \n28: 24 Types I and II Collagens \n31:28 Linking arthritis\, uveitis\, ANA\, young onset age \n34:15 ERA and Uveitis Research Insight \n36:09 Research Updates \n37:00 Summary from Dr. Alan Rosenberg \n41:00 How important is it to keep checking for Uveitis when a child’s arthritis has been inactive? \n42:58 Does Uveitis have flare ups\, does it behave in a similar fashion as JIA? \n46:33: Is there anything that parents can do to monitor at home? When there are symptoms\, what were some of things that helped you find relief? \n50:02 Why are there such long wait times in the ophthalmologist office? \n52:31 Our daughter cannot handle even the slightest bit of brightness. Is light sensitivity common with uveitis? \n55:22 Is vision affected differently than in common near or far sightedness\, or does it just cause general blurriness? \n57:58 We’ve been using an optometrist regularly (quarterly) for our young child\, they use a slit lamp\, should we switch to an ophthalmologist? Are there any long term side effects from slit lamp check ups? \n59:50 Based on your experience\, do you have any help for parents wanting to help their kids at these appointments and how did you handle eye drops as a kid? \n1:01:48 When my daughter is off her biologics medications\, she often gets uveitis\, when she goes back on her medication\, it clears up. From the medical perspective\, with the introduction of biologic medication\, have you seen the number and degree of uveitis actually go down? \n1:04:22 Have there been studies about the role of nutrition and uveitis? \n 1:06:06 The use of steroids. Are steroids drops the only thing keeping uveitis at bay? \n1:08:52 Is monitoring for uveitis once a child has been diagnosed life long. Is it uveitis ever gone or is there a time when you stop worrying about it? \n1:12:15 What is the chance of uveitis causing blindness if not caught early and treated? \n1:13:25 What is your biggest hope for the future? \nSession Speakers:\nDr. Alan Rosenberg\, Pediatric Rheumatologist \nDr. Alan Rosenberg is a pediatric rheumatologist caring for Saskatchewan children and youth with various forms of arthritis and related rheumatic diseases. Additionally\, Dr. Rosenberg directs the activities of The Pediatric Rheumatic Disease Research and Innovation Laboratory at the University of Saskatchewan\,  which conducts a variety of projects\, including those that aim to advance knowledge about uveitis in childhood arthritis.  He also is a valued member of the Cassie + Friends community where he helps to provide the most current and evidence-based information to youth and families. \n \nBecki Zerr\, Patient Speaker \nBecki Zerr was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis and Uveitis at age 3. As a past patient of Dr. Alan Rosenberg\, Becki will be speaking on her own experience with Uveitis including vision loss\, treatments and advice to parents. We invite you to get to know more about Becki before the LIVE event by reading her feature story and/or listening to the breathtaking first episode of her brand new podcast\, The Blind Reality\, as she talks about her experience on the day she lost her sight. URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/uveitis/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Virtual-Education_-Uveitis.png ORGANIZER;CN="Cassie and Friends":MAILTO:brittany@cassieandfriends.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200927T163000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200927T183000 DTSTAMP:20260420T030539 CREATED:20200821T150006Z LAST-MODIFIED:20201030T000809Z UID:3942-1601224200-1601231400@cassieandfriends.ca SUMMARY:Virtual Education: JIA 101 DESCRIPTION:On September 27th\, 2020 we launched our Virtual Education Series! Our first session – JIA 101 – led by guest speakers Dr. Roberta Berard\, Chief of Paediatric Rheumatology\, Children’s Hospital\, London Health Sciences Centre and parent Jennifer O’Shea\, London\, Ontario answered pressing audience questions regarding juvenile arthritis as they shared their expertise and experiences of this condition. \nDid you miss out on JIA 101\, looking for a refresher\, or a newly diagnosed family looking for more information on JIA? Watch the live recording below. What can you expect from JIA 101?\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHear from parent speaker\, Jennifer O’Shea about her family’s journey with JIA\, from being\ndiagnosed to pain management and treatments.\nDr. Berard shares information on the different subtypes of JIA\, the difference between pain\nand a flare\, and emerging research insights\nAnswers to your questions regarding medications\, treatment paths\, remission\, and more!\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPanel Questions\nDon’t have time to watch the full video? No problem! Below you will find all the questions our panelists were asked with the appropriate time stamp.\n• (Lily’s Journey) Q 4:00- How did we know she had arthritis\, what were the signs? \n• (DR.Bobbi Berard) 14:50-15:25 Q What is Arthritis? \n• Q 16:18- What is JIA? \n• Q 17:50-Subtypes of JIA. \n• 24:21-Kids don’t switch between categories \n• 31:41- Treatment \n• 34:50- Treatment basses on how many joints and other features. \n• 39:40-Individualized medicine in JIA. \n• 42:56-Up coming and ongoing studies in Canada. \n• 46:00 Q/A \n• Q 47:00-What does Lily understand about her condition now and how does she deal? \n• Q 48:00- Does she share with her teacher and classmates at school? \n• Q 48:55- Difference between pain and flair? \n• Q 53:07- Is there a reason why diagnoses are delayed? \n• Q 55:36- What doe Biologic mean? \n• Q 57:32- Undifferentiated subtype and how it is treated? \n• Q 59:00- Can someone have JIA and psoriatic arthritis: can you have two types at once? \n• Q 1:01:41- Is there a History of arthritis in family- is there any evidence that it can be passed on? \n• Q 1:04:34- Nutrition is there any food categories that increase inflammation? \n• Q 1:11:11- What treatments that lily had to overcome? \n• Q 1:14:55- Will kids ever grow out of arthritis? \n• Q 1:20:28- Any gifts from the journey of arthritis? \nSession speakers:\nDr. Roberta Berard\, Chief of Paediatric Rheumatology\, Children’s Hospital \nLondon Health Sciences Centre\, Ontario\nDr. Roberta Berard is an associate professor of Paediatrics at the University of Western Ontario and the chief of Paediatric Rheumatology at the Children’s Hospital\, London Health Sciences Centre in London\, Ontario\, Canada. She is also a valued member of the Cassie + Friends Medical Advisory Committee where she helps to provide the most current and evidence-based information to youth and families. To her patients\, Dr. Berard is known for her warmth and passion in providing kids and families affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis\, uveitis\, and other rheumatic diseases with the best clinical care and treatment options possible.\n\n\n \nJennifer O’Shea\, Parent of a JIA patient: Lily\nLily was diagnosed with JIA in February of 2016. She was just 26 months old. Her Mom\, Jennifer\, remembers the day they noticed her “pain” like it was yesterday: It was Christmas morning in 2015. Jennifer had taken her out of her crib to go downstairs to see what Santa had left. But instead of opening presents\, Lily just stood there and cried. She couldn’t and wouldn’t move. \nOver the next 2 months\, they made trips to their GP\, ER\, pediatric ortho\, and got x-rays\, chiro\, massage therapy and more. Finally\, they were seen in pediatric rheumatology (where they met the one and only Dr. Berard) and were given an answer to what was causing Lily’s debilitating pain – JIA subtype Polyarticular. She had more than 5 joints affected when diagnosed. \n \nThroughout the last four years\, they have made many trips to LHSC to see Dr. Berard for blood work\, x-rays\, MRIs\, and numerous cortisone injections. They consistently feel like Lily is getting the best care in the world and that someday soon she will be able to be in complete remission\, meaning being pain-free with no medication. Regardless of her appointment\, Lily always goes in with a positive attitude and makes her nurses and Dr. Berard smile upon every visit.  According to Jennifer\, Lily is “a serious little warrior” who they are “so very proud of”. \n  \nLooking to learn more about JIA? Check out our “About JIA” page for additional information. URL:https://cassieandfriends.ca/event/jia101/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Virtual Education ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cassieandfriends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Virtual-Education_-JIA-101-1.png ORGANIZER;CN="Cassie and Friends":MAILTO:brittany@cassieandfriends.ca END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR