Helping Hands Family Day Travel Bursaries
The Cassie + Friends Helping Hands Bursary Fund was established to help families and individuals with the costs associated with attending our Family Day Conferences. It is solely to aid families and individuals that are otherwise unable to attend the conference without assistance.
From offering free registration for all family attendees to supporting all travel-related costs through the Helping Hands Program, it is the goal of Cassie + Friends to help as many families attend our life-transforming Family Days as possible. We believe that every child and family affected by juvenile arthritis deserves the opportunity to connect, learn, and thrive. The Helping Hands Bursary Fund helps bring us one step closer to achieving this vision. See below for full details on how to apply for a Helping Hands Bursary.
“I would like to express our family’s sincere gratitude for the travel bursary to support our family to participate in Family Day. This gift means our family can travel, as a family, and support our son as a unit. Far too often we divide and conquer the medical appointments and are not able to support one another together. Frequently our daughter is left at home worrying about her brother while he is on medical travel. Being able to be a family for Family Day is a great relief for us.”
– From a Past Family Day Bursary Recipient
Lend a Helping Hand Today
Our Annual Family Day Conferences are a highlight of the year for families. But sadly, not everyone can attend. For some, the costs of travel can be too big of a barrier. The thing is, we know that Family Day is life-transforming. When it comes to learning to flourish with rheumatic disease – there is just nothing like it.
That’s why we’re asking if you will lend a hand in support of our Helping Hands Family Day Bursary Fund by becoming a monthly donor. Your ongoing support will make it possible for more families to access the invaluable resources and connections provided by our conferences.
- Just $10/month can help with the cost of gas to attend
- Only $20/month will cover the cost of a one-night hotel’s stay for a family of four
- $50/month can purchase a train or long-distance bus fare
- $100/month is a plane ticket for a child to attend with their parent from a remote community
Are You Ready to Lend a Helping Hand?
- Sign Up Today: Become a monthly donor to provide consistent support to families facing the challenges of juvenile arthritis.
- Spread the Word: Share our campaign with your friends, family, and social networks. Encourage them to join you in supporting this vital cause.
- Double Your Impact: Many companies offer donation matching programs. Check with your employer to see if they will match your monthly contribution, doubling the impact of your support.
- Stay Connected: Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates on how your contributions are making a difference in the lives of these families.
Applying for a Helping Hands Bursary
Helping Hands Bursary applications are subject to availability of funds. Applications are reviewed by the Family Day Planning Committee based on funding need only. Preference is given to:
- Newly diagnosed families/individuals that have connected with C+F since the last in person conference in June 2023.
- Families/individuals who have not previously attended an in-person conference.
- All affected individuals, immediate family members and/or primary caregivers of the affected. Non family members are not eligible.
Helping Hands Bursary FAQs
Yes, but award priority is given to families who received their diagnosis since the last in person Annual Family Conference in your region.
Our Helping Hand Bursaries are only for Canadian families.
While we ask all families to make every effort possible to seek out conference funding before applying for a Helping Hand Bursary, we must also limit the amount we grant to each family to ensure we can help as many families as possible. Therefore, we ask you to please only request funds that are absolutely necessary for attendance.
While there are no limits, per se, newly diagnosed families and individuals attending for their first time will be given priority status for grant consideration.
We will notify you of your award status after the bursary approval process is complete. Bursaries will be awarded on a rolling basis as they are received and we will aim to notify awardees within two weeks of the date of submission of their application.
You will receive a bursary letter. Your acceptance of this letter serves as your contract of attendance with C+F. You must make your own hotel reservation, for standard rooms only within the C+F room block with your own credit card (to leave on file with the hotel for incidentals). The hotel will then notify C+F of your reservation. You will not be charged for the approved hotel room nights, but you are responsible for any additional charges made to your room.
