On the way towards a pain free future, let’s tackle one of the most difficult parts of pediatric rheumatic diseases – the injection experience.

The treatments available for childhood rheumatic diseases like #JIA and #Lupus have significantly improved over time. Despite this, little has been done to address the often extreme anxiety and pain of infusions, blood draws and home injections hasn’t changed. Giving a small child or teen an injection – often weekly – can be terrifying for both the child and their caregivers. The injection itself can be painful and uncomfortable, and it may also lead to mental health issues like panic and anxiety, making the child more reluctant to adhere to their treatment plan. For parents, who are suddenly thrust into the role of medical caregiver, having to administer treatments that cause pain for their child is an added burden too.

It is our hope that with your help to sustain and grow our injection support programs, that families will no longer have to navigate injections on their own. This holiday season, join us to #GiveTheGift of Injection Support to help transform the injection experience for kids and families affected by pediatric rheumatic disease, all across Canada.

“I still don’t sleep well. A mother’s worry can take over your whole life. It affects me every day. Knowing this disease is in her. Having to – by my own hand – inject her with medicine. Having to sit there while she’s poked at for her routine blood work. Most of our lives revolve around this now and I’ve had to become a nurse overnight. Learning about these drugs, how to give needles, how to cope. It has been a very rough couple of years for us so far and unless you go through this and live this life no one can truly understand your pain.“

From a Cassie + Friends’ Community Parent