BC

The First Signs Ziyaad was born on January 2, 2017, and he is now 8 years old. He has 2 older siblings, a sister, Nureen age 18, and a brother Fayaaz, age 16. He also has a cat, named Leo. Ziyaad enjoys being outdoors, swimming, biking and hiking. He is…

The Start of Our Journey Laila’s journey started when she was just six years old. She began complaining of leg pain, something that many parents might chalk up to growing pains. We thought, like most parents, that it was just a phase—something that would pass in time. But it didn’t.…

My name is Grace Todd and I have two sons both with different forms of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). My youngest Levi just turned 7, and my oldest Tallon is 10. I live in Whitehorse YT and have been fighting for them for almost a year before we got diagnosed.…

To have a chronic illness is to be fighting every day for the next. My name is Paige Simpson. I am 17 years old, I was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, otherwise known as JIA. I have been treated for JIA for 15 years but have been battling this condition…

“I am hoping our daughter will be able to meet other girls her age with arthritis.” “Willing to do anything to learn more about JIA.” “We are hoping to connect with other families that have been through the hard time of arthritis and are trying to have a normal childhood…

Last month, Cassie and Friends’ Juvenile Arthritis at School Puppet Show hit the road to bring juvenile arthritis education to the Okanagan! The special puppet show, which was offered free-of-charge to schools by Cassie and Friends with support from a $10,000 grant from the Telus Friendly Futures Foundation, tells the story of Cassie…

My daughter Elena was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis at age 2. Arthritis? That was an elderly person’s disease, I thought. I had no idea the depth of the disease or what would lie ahead for us. First, she started with redness and swelling in her knees. I took her into the doctor…

For those of us who live each day affected by juvenile arthritis or another rheumatic disease, it can often feel like there is no one who can understand what we are going through. Although this can feel isolating, when we share our juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic disease stories with…

Our annual Family Day conference for Juvenile Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases is in JUST ONE WEEK – and we can’t wait! On Saturday, October 13th, we’ll welcome over 370 kids, families and friends for a life-changing day of connection, learning and fun at the Delta Burnaby Conference Centre in…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:      PwC commits $10,000 to transform the futures of youth with arthritis June 21, 2018- VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA: University Student, Alison Legge, 22, knows all too well just how painful studying, full-time work or even a casual, part-time job can be thanks to Juvenile Arthritis -…

We are so excited to announce that long-time champion for kids Keystone Environmental Ltd. – BC’s go to environmental consulting firm and recently named Top Small & Medium Employer in Canada – has stepped up with a $15,000 gift to Team Cassie and Friends to help transform the lives of the 3 in 1000 children in BC…

Giving back is deeply rooted in the culture of Vancouver-based Nicola Wealth Management, and this year the Nicola Wealth Gives Back Charitable Giving Committee is showing just how deep that commitment goes when it comes to supporting both kids with arthritis, and their own staff.  Cassie and Friends is pleased to announce Nicola Wealth as our new “Champion…