whyIrun
Read inspirational #WhyRun stories and testimonials from families who engage, support and help build awareness.
#WhyIRun: Chase’s Story
We are so fortunate to have a large support system from our families and friends as we navigate this chapter of our lives.
#WhyIRun: Stephanie + Tommy’s Story
Meet Stephanie, who is running with Team Cassie + Friends to raise awareness for Juvenile Arthritis for her son, Tommy! Diagnosed with oligoarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) just after his second birthday, Tommy’s journey has been full of ups and downs.
#WhyIRun: Meet Team Cassie + Friends Montreal!
La version française suit la version anglaise. We’re so excited that on May 25, 2025, Montréal will host its FIRST EVER Team Cassie + Friends walk/run! Read more about the amazing families that will be joining us below—and then join kids like Valerina, Beatrice, and Brooklyn by running or walking with…
#WhyIRun: Marley’s Story
Meet Marley: A Little Fighter Powering Big Change Meet Marley, a brave three-year-old at the heart of Team Cassie + Friends’ Virtual Run crew, #MarleysJointForces. This June, her family and friends are lacing up to raise awareness and funds for kids like Marley living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Inspired by…
#WhyIRun: Blake’s Story
Meet Blake: One of Our Youngest Runners and a Big Reason We Run! Meet Blake, a resilient little one and one of our youngest runners on Team Cassie + Friends Halifax! Diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) at just 16 months old, Blake’s journey has been filled with challenges, strength,…
#WhyIRun – Annika’s CRMO Journey
Annika hurt her ankle in December 2021. She complained of pain, but we didn’t see any swelling or bruising. We took her to our family doctor, who then sent her for an X-ray. He didn’t see anything from that, so we went home but Annika still complained of pain. In…
#WhyIRun – Lillian, Our Rheumatic Disease Warrior
For Lillian – Our Rheumatic Disease Warrior Our journey with Rheumatic Disease began in June 2022. After 11 days of fever, Lillian, then just shy of her 3rd birthday, was seen, diagnosed, and treated for Incomplete Kawasaki disease at CHEO (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario). Luckily, she responded to the…
#WhyIRun – Jana + Roam’s Story
Parenting a teen can be tricky. Parenting a teen with a painful rheumatic disease like Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis can be heartbreaking. But it can also be incredibly inspiring, as you’ll learn from Roam’s mom, Jana. She was reminded of her son’s strength and resilience during our Team Cassie + Friends…
#WhyIRun – Two Sisters’ Story
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 pain – was invisible. It wasn’t until later…
#WhyIRun – Hope for Harley
Harley is our tiny warrior. Just after turning 2, in August 2022, Harley started having difficulty walking one day out of nowhere. It pained her to tears and she had to hold onto someone to walk or be carried. She was on Amoxicillin for an ear infection, and had also…