TAG

Anastasia Roemer

Anastasia was diagnosed with oligoarticular arthritis in her knees around the age of 1.5 years old. When she was 13 years old, she had a flare up and experienced inflammation in all of her major joints. Despite her journey with Arthritis, Ana has never let it stop her from completing any of her goals such as hiking the West Coast Trail, playing on her high school Rugby team, and completing the 140km section of the Tour de Victoria bike ride. Beyond accomplishing active goals, she has recently gotten involved with the Arthritis community through the Arthritis Society as a volunteer youth mentor at Camp All in this Together in Alberta and as a volunteer at a number of other events.

Trish Peters

Hi, my name is Trish Peters! I was born in India, raised in Canada. Arthritis kind of hit me like a truck at the age of 11. But it has taught me so much. I spent a lot of my childhood playing sports and when I was diagnosed it was hard for me to comprehend that. So, I played rugby instead. For 6 years, I tolerated aches and pains from arthritis and a very aggressive sport. But this sport is the reason that I have become so resilient with arthritis. Now, that I am in university studying finance, my goal has become to be a role model for kids with and without arthritis. I have done TV shows like @futureprospects which gave me a chance to speak about the benefits and the negatives of social media. With TAG I want to be able to show kids that even with arthritis, we can do anything we want. It shouldn’t stop us from doing anything. I was lucky to be raised in a supportive family where I was taught that I could do anything I wanted to succeed at and now I get to see the effects of that in what I do. I was given the opporutinity to attend Camp Cambria for the past 4 years and this year I returned as a volunteer. Camp showed me I wasn’t alone and I can carry the friends that truly understand what I go through with me forever and that is what I want to show other kids. 

Natasha Trehan

In 2016, Natasha was diagnosed at the age of 13 with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). She had inflammation in more than 10 joints including her fingers, wrists, ankles and feet. Her passion for music, performing for charity events and being in the Unionville High School Vocal Program is truly what has allowed her to get through this tough journey. She uses her passion for music to create a positive influence and change in people’s lives. She also has a strong passion for Bhangra dancing and has not allowed her condition to stop her from doing what she enjoys the most! Natasha is this year’s Operation Med School Toronto Team President where she collaborates with her executive team to host a one-day conference, several webinars and events in Toronto to educate and inspire youth about the medical field. She is excited to be this year’s TAG Toronto Chapter Leader and is looking forward to hosting educational and fun events while supporting other kids with rheumatic diseases to help create an inclusive and supportive community!.

Mickaela Collins

Mickaela was diagnosed with Juvenile Systemic Rheumatoid Arthritis at age three, and has lived with it for as long as she can remember. Her struggles growing up in a small town where no one understood that children could get arthritis prompted her to dedicate much of her energy into raising awareness and funds for research of this illness. Since childhood, Mickaela has written and presented multiple speeches about childhood arthritis, acted as an ambassador at numerous Arthritis Society events, and even completed a trek to Machu Picchu in support of arthritis awareness and research funds. Currently, Mickaela is a recent graduate from the University of Waterloo with a degree in Speech Communication and Peace & Conflict Studies. She enjoys spending her day helping others, spending time with her three rescue pets, and rewatching Gilmore Girls for the hundredth time.

Emily Bessey

Since being diagnosed with JIA at age 5, Emily has been an active member of local initiatives with The Arthritis Society of Nova Scotia. She has participated in the Walk to Fight Arthritis and Jingle Bell Walk and Run in support of Camp JoinTogether: a summer camp for children living with JA, which she has been attending for the past nine years. In her spare time, Emily volunteers with Big Brothers, Big Sisters and is a member of the Youth Advisory Council at the IWK Health Centre. After high school, she hopes to go on and become a child life specialist to help kids who have shared similar experiences to her own.

Kayla Mozill

At 16 Kayla was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Since her diagnosis in Calgary, Kayla traveled around Europe and attended Dalhousie University where she is currently in her second year of Marine Bio. In efforts to reduce inflammation, Kayla stays active and competes nationally with the Dal synchronized swimming team. She is very excited to start with the TAG community!

Heather Stephen

At just age 10 Heather was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. This process was not the standard process and took almost 2 years to properly diagnose. Since her diagnosis Heather continued to dance competitively, complete hair school and start her degree in business with a human resource major. She loves to travel to Spain! It is her favourite place to visit! Heather is excited for her future with TAG and can’t wait to see what is to come.