Cassie + Friends Society

Cassie + Friends Society Transforming the lives of kids & families affected by & other . We’ve shown what’s possible, but there’s lots more to do.

Cassie + Friends is the only charity in Canada dedicated 100% to the pediatric rheumatic disease community. Rooted in our four pillars, we champion research, education, connection and support for pediatric rheumatic diseases. Working with patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and other friends, we’ve created a life-changing community to help kids and families face the ups an

d downs of life with a chronic condition – so that no child has to live in pain alone. Since 2007, we’ve raised over $3.2 million to help young people and their families thrive in the face of chronic illness and find meaning in supporting others and giving back. We are now active in every province and territory in Canada. If you are newly diagnosed and need information, reach out to us! And if you are able, please considering joining our efforts. A pain-free future for kids is possible when we work to raise awareness and demand better together.

The run (and duo) that started it all. 🥺In 2006, David Porte signed up for a charity run to raise awareness for his 20-m...
08/21/2026

The run (and duo) that started it all. 🥺

In 2006, David Porte signed up for a charity run to raise awareness for his 20-month-old daughter, Cassie, who had just been diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. That first run raised $18,000 but its impact went far beyond the finish line, it sparked a movement.

Today, 19 years later, they're still running and still driven by the same mission, but now joined by a national community of thousands who lace up for kids and families affected by juvenile arthritis and other childhood rheumatic diseases.

What started with one father refusing to let his daughter face this journey alone has grown into thousands of people making sure no family has to. Now, our community is helping write the next chapter of progress - earlier diagnosis, better treatments and more equitable care for all.

Who will you run for?
Join the movement. Sign up here ⬇️ www.cassieandfriends.ca/run 💙

Waterloo, let's do this! 👟Join us on Saturday, September 27 at Waterloo Park for a NEW community Run/Walk in support of ...
08/16/2026

Waterloo, let's do this! 👟

Join us on Saturday, September 27 at Waterloo Park for a NEW community Run/Walk in support of kids and youth living with juvenile arthritis and other childhood rheumatic diseases.

Let's raise awareness for often-invisible diseases, connect as a community, and show families they don't have to face this journey alone. Are you in?

Register for the run/walk or donate at www.cassieandfriends.ca/Run. 🔗

Back-to-school prep + a chance to win a tablet? It’s a win-win! 🙌Register for our Ready, Set, School webinar for practic...
08/16/2026

Back-to-school prep + a chance to win a tablet? It’s a win-win! 🙌

Register for our Ready, Set, School webinar for practical tips to help your child feel prepared for the school year—and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite! 📱✨

🗓️ Tuesday, August 25
🕢 4:30 PM PST | 7:30 PM EST
💻 Online via Zoom

Click the link in our bio to register now! ✅

Giveaway details:
-The winner will be drawn after the webinar, announced on our Instagram Story, and notified via Instagram Direct Message.
-Open to Canadian residents only.
-We will never ask for payment or credit card information.
-This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Facebook or Instagram.

Traveling with medications this summer? 💊Before you pack a suitcase, pack a plan for your medications! Here’s what you ...
08/14/2026

Traveling with medications this summer? 💊

Before you pack a suitcase, pack a plan for your medications! Here’s what you need to know to keep them safe and make your travels stress-free. 👉

Kinda chic to know what an autoinflammatory disease is. 💙You may have heard of autoimmune diseases, but autoinflammatory...
08/13/2026

Kinda chic to know what an autoinflammatory disease is. 💙

You may have heard of autoimmune diseases, but autoinflammatory diseases? Maybe not. So what are they?

In simple terms, it’s when the body’s immune system misfires and causes inflammation without a typical infection or other trigger. Think of the way your body responds when you’re sick with a fever, except for someone living with an autoinflammatory disease, that inflammatory response can happen when it shouldn’t.

Symptoms can include recurrent fever, rash, joint pain and inflammation, and because those symptoms can look like many other conditions, getting answers isn’t always easy. Autoinflammatory diseases are also rare, which can make the journey to diagnosis feel even more isolating.

That’s why awareness matters. The more we understand, the better we can recognize, support and advocate for people living with these conditions. You can learn more about the disease at www.cassieandfriends.ca/AutoinflammatoryVsAutoimmune (link in our bio). 🔗

Soccer has been Owen's life since he was 3 years old. ⚽️ So when unexplained leg pain kept returning and eventually forc...
08/12/2026

Soccer has been Owen's life since he was 3 years old. ⚽️

So when unexplained leg pain kept returning and eventually forced him to leave his competitive team, he was devastated. After months of appointments, treatments, 21 vials of blood, and two MRIs, Owen was diagnosed with Chronic Non-Infectious Osteomyelitis (CNO), a one-in-a-million, ultra-rare rheumatic disease.

With treatment and support from his care team, Owen has reconnected with the sport he loves. Now, he's using his experience to advocate for disability and sport while fundraising for SickKids , the hospital that helped him find answers.

This October, Owen is lacing up with Team Cassie + Friends Toronto at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon to show other young people that a setback isn't the end—it's an opportunity to grow. You can join Owen at the upcoming run/walk happening on October 17 + 18 in Toronto!

Register or donate at www.cassieandfriends.ca/Run 🔗

London, we're coming your way! 👟Team Cassie + Freidns will be in London on Sunday, September 20 at Gibbons Park for a ru...
08/11/2026

London, we're coming your way! 👟

Team Cassie + Freidns will be in London on Sunday, September 20 at Gibbons Park for a run/walk event. Come walk, run, connect and show support to those living with or affected by childhood rheumatic disease!

You can register or donate online at www.cassieandfriends.ca/Run. 🔗

Saskatoon, let's walk, run, and rally together! 💙Join us on Saturday, September 19 at Victoria Park for a community Run/...
08/10/2026

Saskatoon, let's walk, run, and rally together! 💙

Join us on Saturday, September 19 at Victoria Park for a community Run/Walk in support of kids and youth living with juvenile arthritis and other childhood rheumatic diseases.

Together with local parents, families, friends, students, and healthcare partners, we're making invisible diseases visible—and showing every child and family that they have a community behind them.

Every step taken helps support:
🔬 Groundbreaking research into precision medicine, mental health, and a cure
💉 Family navigation, injection support tools, and financial assistance
🫂 Youth mentorship and mental health supports
🤝 Education and connection events for families
🗣️ Advocacy for earlier diagnosis and equitable care

Register for the run or donate to the team at www.cassieandfriends.ca/run 🔗

Let us know in the comments, which starting line will you be at? 👇Every Team Cassie + Friends run helps support kids and...
08/08/2026

Let us know in the comments, which starting line will you be at? 👇

Every Team Cassie + Friends run helps support kids and families living with juvenile arthritis and other childhood rheumatic diseases through education, community, advocacy, and research.

It's not too late to register for an upcoming fall run! Sign up now at www.cassieandfriends.ca/Run. 🔗

Back-to-school season is right around the corner! 🎒While late summer is all about making memories, it’s also when we sta...
08/07/2026

Back-to-school season is right around the corner! 🎒

While late summer is all about making memories, it’s also when we start thinking about new routines, heavy backpacks, and getting classroom accommodations in place. If your child is living with juvenile arthritis or a rheumatic disease, September can bring a few extra layers of planning—and we want you to know you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Join us for our upcoming free webinar: Ready, Set, School: Foundations for the First Day!

We’re bringing together Pediatric Occupational Therapist Tessa Woodford and our Cassie + Friends team to share practical classroom strategies, energy management tips, and simple letter templates for communicating with teachers.

📱 BONUS GIVEAWAY!
Register for the webinar for a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite!

🗓 Webinar Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM EST
💻 Where: Online via Zoom
👉 Tap the link in our bio to reserve your spot for the webinar!

Giveaway Details:
The winner will be drawn after the webinar, announced on our Instagram Story, and notified via Instagram Direct Message.
Open to Canadian residents only.
We will never ask for payment or credit card information.
This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Facebook or Instagram.

Address

100/33 E 8th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V5T1R5

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16046171382

Website

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