We are excited to share this amazing coverage in the March 23rd issue of the Jewish Independent newspaper on our work to spread Juvenile Arthritis (JA) awareness in schools.

The article highlighted our Kids on the Block (KOB) puppet show program, which has now been seen by well over 25,000 kids and educators all over BC, along with the incredible impact young leaders can make to help spread critical awareness about the disease and its challenges.

Among the children reached by KOB are students at Vancouver Talmud Torah, the school of Cassie Porte, where the KOB juvenile arthritis show made its debut in 2009 when Cassie was in Kindergarten. This year, with Cassie about to graduate from the school, she played a central role in bringing KOB back to Vancouver Talmud Torah for another performance, this time with her own personalized introduction.

“It was my suggestion to bring Kids on the Block back to VTT on Jan. 24, 2018, for the younger kids, including my Grade 1 buddy,” said Cassie. “It was fun to introduce the puppet show to the kids. They all know me and I could explain it to them in an easier way, because I am a kid and they are, too.

“I also really enjoyed watching the show again, because I didn’t remember it from kindergarten. After I had done the introduction, I also got many compliments on it because it was in the weekly email.”

With the isolation and pain that is often faced in school by children with JA and other rheumatic diseases, educating students and teachers about these unknown or misunderstood diseases is incredibly important and has the power to drastically improve the lives of children living with these conditions. Programs like KOB have been instrumental in spreading juvenile arthritis awareness, while the inspiring leadership of youth like Cassie make programs like KOB all the more impactful and educational for all.

If you are interested in learning more about Kids on the Block or booking the show, click here or email info@cassieandfriends.ca. KOB is 100% free for schools and is intended for students in kindergarten through Grade 4, travelling to over 40 schools in BC every year. The show is generously sponsored by Mardon Insurance and Gore Mutual Insurance Foundation.