Editor’s Note Daniela is an 18-year-old youth living with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. In this piece, she shares her journey to diagnosis, the realities of growing up with a chronic illness, and how her experiences have shaped her passion for advocacy and helping others navigating childhood-onset rheumatic disease. [...]
World Lupus Day: Hunter’s Journey from Diagnosis to Mentorship and Research This World Lupus Day, we’re honoured to share a guest blog from one of our incredible youth mentors, Hunter. Diagnosed with lupus at just nine years old, Hunter faced more than most kids his age. Now at 24, Hunter works as [...]
#WhyIRun - Two Sisters' Story The Story of Two Sisters Hello, my name is Queena, and I was diagnosed with Lupus and Juvenile Arthritis in 2021. During this time, it was hard to ask for help. For the most part my "illness" - or whatever was causing my swollen joints and excruciating [...]
"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 for their child." "Oh [...]
Author: Zoya Jiwa, YLC Program Designer and founder of As We Are Style - a blog about facing health challenges with courage and style. Last weekend, Cassie + Friends’ Youth Leadership Committee got together for our first team retreat on a surprisingly sunny afternoon (thank you, Vancouver!) with a lot of excitement and a BIG [...]
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 Burnaby, BC. Family Day Camp [...]
In the final week before race day with Team Cassie and Friends in the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon and 5K Charity Challenge, we are thrilled to announce an incredible surprise $10,000 donation from Van Kam Freightways Ltd, a Surrey-based trucking company operating in BC and Alberta. This generous donation will go 100% towards providing support [...]
We are excited to announce that our longtime "Champion for Kids" partner, Mardon Insurance, now part of Westland Insurance Group has donated an incredible $10,000 to Team Cassie and Friends in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. This generous donation will go directly towards transforming the lives of kids and families affected by juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic [...]
In the final stretch to race day with Team Cassie and Friends in the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon and 5km Charity Challenge, we are thrilled to announce our "Champions for Kids" level donors - a circle of our most committed friends who have stepped up to support kids and families affected by Juvenile Arthritis and [...]
Asking someone for money can feel like a tricky thing to do, but with some practice you’ll be a pro in no time! Here are five tips to make your fundraising efforts a little less stressful. 1. Start talking. Before making the big “ask,” start by telling everyone (your family, friends, teachers, neighbours, etc) about [...]
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