Congratulations to Tyler Mah and Natasha Trehan, recipients of the 2021 Cassie + Friends National Youth Leader Awards! Read Tyler and Natasha’s full bios and project descriptions below.

Interested in being considered for an award in 2022? 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. Nine 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 social business, creating a new platform for youth to connect, elevating a school project or crushing the fundraising on Team Cassie + Friends, 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, information, connection and support) the adjudication committee reviewed the applications in December 2021 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. Amieleena Chhabra, Pediatric Rheumatologist, BC Interior
Dr. Molly Dushnicky, Pediatric Rheumatology Fellow & JIA Patient, Ontario
Cara Kaup, Pediatric Physiotherapist, Alberta
Dan Lajoie, JIA parent, Ontario

2021 Cassie + Friends Youth Leader Award Recipients

Tyler Mah, CRMO/ERA Awareness Website

“Through a school project, I had the opportunity to raise awareness for my condition (ERA). I made a website last year and included many sections including a blog, information about ERA and more. The goal of my website was to educate people, raise awareness and money for Arthritis and Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis. When I finished creating the website, I shared it with people to educate my family, friends, teachers, and even people I’ve never met. ”

Natasha Trehan, Take a Pain Check Podcast

“Take a Pain Check (TAPC) was co-launched as a podcast in March of 2021. Currently, I host bi-weekly podcasts engaging guests in conversations about living with chronic illness, relationships, accomplishments, school, advocacy, struggles they might have faced, medications that they take, and anything else in their journey. Guest speakers range from those living with chronic illness, parents, friends, researchers, health professionals, and individuals who are making a difference in the rheumatology community.”