Congratulations to Jake Shiell and Emma Linsley, recipients of the 2022 Cassie + Friends National Youth Leader Awards! Read Jake and Emma’s full bios and project descriptions below.

Interested in being considered for an award in 2023? To learn more about the Youth Leader Awards and get inspired by examples of how youth are making a difference in the JA community, visit: Cassie + Friends Youth Leader Network.

About the Youth Leader Awards Program

In 2021, Cassie + Friends launched the Youth Leader Award as national way to recognize the outstanding leadership efforts of youth in our community affected by pediatric rheumatic diseases. Back for a second year in 2022, eight youth from across Canada submitted their online applications explaining how they were stepping up to positively impact kids and families in the JA community. From sharing their personal experiences, starting a small fundraising business, creating art or coloring books, planning a school run or collecting gift cards from local businesses, these young leaders make the future of pediatric rheumatology look very bright!

In line with Cassie + Friends’ mission (to transform the lives of kids and families affected by juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic diseases through research, education, connection and support) the adjudication committee reviewed the applications in January 2023 to select one top scoring youth in each age category (12 & under and 13-25) to receive a $500 prize. We’d like to thank these youth for strengthening the pediatric rheumatic disease community in Canada through Cassie + Friends. We hope to use the Youth Leader Award as a foundation for youth with rheumatic disease to aspire to become leaders, share their experiences and make the pediatric rheumatic disease community a more positive and supportive space.

The Youth Leader Award Adjudication Committee consisted of:

Dr. Molly Dushnicky, Pediatric Rheumatology Fellow & JIA Patient, Ontario
Cara Kaup, Pediatric Physiotherapist, Alberta
Zabeen Gale, JIA parent, Alberta

2022 Cassie + Friends Youth Leader Award Recipients
Jake Shiell, Jake’s Lemonade and Cookie Stand 2022 Youth Leader Award (12 & under)

Jake was recognized as the National Youth Leader for his multiple lemonade stand fundraiser. Jake was even recognized on the news and on the radio!

Jake’s fundraising lemonade stands started shortly after he was diagnosed with SJIA (Systemic Idiopathic Juvenile Arthritis) on his eighth birthday. When he exceeded his goal at his first stand, he took the excess funds to purchase band-aids for the the pediatric medical day unit at the London Children’s Hospital to help kids receiving treatment there feel brave. He has continued to host stands, spreading awareness and raising money all over Stratford, including at the famers markets and the local hockey arena! He has raised over $4,500 already and Cassie + Friends is honored to recognize his amazing achievements with this award. He truly embraces the phrase “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!”

Emma Linsley
2022 Youth Leader Award (age 13-25)

Emma Linsley received the 2022 Youth Leader Award for her patient advocacy and research work.

Emma is a patient advocate and served as a patient representative on a Saskatchewan committee promoting health science research. Her current focus is on the unmet needs in adolescent and young adult care. As such, she has performed lectures for the University of Saskatchewan Faculty of Nursing on treating young people with chronic illnesses and the importance of patient centered care. Recently, she has been involved with the Canadian Rheumatology Association as both a core member and a lead writer researching the development of Transition Care Guidelines for rheumatology treatment across Canada. She is also working on developing a comprehensive web page of the current and projected Transition Care Resources available in Canada.