Youth Leader Network
Get to know our Youth Ambassador of of the Year, Alejandra Van Dusen
“As a young adult with JIA I have experienced firsthand just how much goes on at this age. School, work, relationships, newfound independence, transition… I wanted to create resources with short pieces of patient-driven advice to help others like me navigate the constant changes of life with rheumatic disease.” Who…
Brick by Brick: Youth leaders build the patient experience they never had in hopes of helping others
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…
Reese’s Story: “I will never let JIA get in my way”
Thirteen year old Reese from Whitby, Ontario was diagnosed with JIA at age two, but she has never let this get in the way of her athletic goals. Read her story of perseverance and strength below, and join Reese and her entire Aurora Panthers Bantam AA hockey team on October 21st as they…
PwC Canada Board Chair, Mike Harris, with family and friends at the 2017 Charity Challenge Run/Walk with Team Cassie and Friends.
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 -…
You Matter to Kids – Annual General Meeting, April 2018
On Thursday, April 19th, the members of the Cassie and Friends Society Board, youth leaders and parent volunteers came together for our Annual General Meeting. We are excited to share the report provided by Cassie and Friends’ Co-Founder and Board Chair, David Porte, outlining the amazing things we’ve been able…
Alison’s story: Navigating JIA mental health
At Family Day 2016, Cassie and Friends volunteer Alison Legge gave a powerful speech about Juvenile Arthritis and the effect it has on mental health. This February, Alison underwent bilateral TMJ replacement surgery to ease the pain in her jaw, and is currently having a speedy recovery. She is now the…