Cassie + Friends Society

10/12/2026

Our biggest reason to be thankful? YOU. 💙

We're grateful for this incredible Cassie + Friends community – the kids, youth, families, healthcare teams, researchers, volunteers, donors, and supporters who make this incredible community what it is.

Whether you run, walk, fundraise, advocate, volunteer, donate, or simply share our posts and help spread the word, you are part of this community and part of the difference we’re making together.

From all of us at Cassie + Friends, thank you for your support. Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

10/12/2026

Kids get arthritis too. And they can’t wait for better answers.

Across Canada, thousands of children and youth are growing up with juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.

Their families ask questions like:

Why did this happen?
Which treatment will work best for my child?
Why is getting care so much harder depending on where we live?
What can we do about pain, fatigue, mental health, school — or even something as everyday as food?

At Cassie + Friends, those questions help shape what we do.

We help families find the best information, support and connections available right now.

And when the answers aren’t good enough, we work with families, clinicians and researchers to help find better ones — through Canadian and international research collaborations, advocacy and efforts to improve how children access care.

That includes work with partners through initiatives like UCAN and PAVE, and research being led and shaped here in Canada to answer the questions families tell us matter most.

Because World Arthritis Day isn’t only about raising awareness that kids get arthritis too.

It’s about changing what happens next.

For every child. Every family. Wherever they live.

Kids can’t wait. - anywhere 🌎

10/10/2026

Today is World Mental Health Day 💚

For children living with Juvenile Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, the pain isn’t just physical. A Canadian study found that up to 40% experience clinically significant anxiety, depression, or panic disorder.

Joint pain, fatigue, missed school, and injection anxiety can take an emotional toll on children and their families, affecting daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.

At Cassie + Friends, we’re advancing pediatric mental health research through our Youth Mental Health Strategy, research partnerships, and a $480,000 investment with Brain Canada to make mental health an essential part of rheumatology care. Learn about our Youth Mental Health Strategy via the link in bio. 💚

No family should have to navigate this alone 🩵

Join us for an upcoming live Virtual Education Session:

🧠 Beyond the Physical: Supporting Mental Health in Children and Young People With Rheumatic Disease

🗓️ November 26, 2026
⏰ 6:30 PM ET | 5:30 PM MT | 4:30 PM PT
📍 Online via Zoom

Featuring Dr. Andrea Knight, Pediatric Rheumatologist at SickKids, and Dr. Kathryn Birnie, Clinical Psychologist, Solutions for Kids in Pain, this session will explore mental health in young people with rheumatic disease and practical strategies to support their well-being.

👉 Learn more and register:
www.cassieandfriends.ca/events/beyond-the-physical or at the link in our bio.

10/09/2026

Youth aged 16+, now is your chance to have your voices heard. 📢

The PAVE Study is looking beyond joints and symptoms to understand the real-life impact of JIA. Researchers need to hear about the things that don't show up on a medical chart or talked about at an appointment and YOU have that experience to share.

The survey takes just 15-20 minutes to complete and will help shape the future of JIA care.

Take the survey at
www.cassieandfriends.ca/research-pave 🔗

Share this post with a teen who knows what living with JIA is really like. 📲

This study has been approved by the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (Ethics ID: REB22-0675).

10/08/2026

10/07/2026

A library where kids can finally see themselves! 📚

Meet the Mighty Kids Library — a new collection of stories, videos and tools created to help kids and teens living with arthritis and rheumatic disease understand what’s happening in their bodies, face treatment with confidence, and feel a little less alone along the way.

With books carefully selected by Cassie + Friends and our community, the Mighty Kids Library helps kids feel seen, understood and supported, while also giving families tools to start important conversations!

The library includes books for all mighty kids including:
👧 Mighty Kids
🧑 Mighty Tweens
🧑‍🎤 Mighty Teens

Whether they’re newly diagnosed or have been living with arthritis for years, there’s a story waiting to remind each kid just how mighty they are.

Find your next read at www.cassieandfriends.ca/MightyKids 🔗

10/05/2026

Here's your reminder: Protecting their eyes is just as important as managing their joints. 👁

It's Children's Vision Month! Consider this your reminder to book those eye appointments and keep them on the calendar. 🗓️

Some children living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) can develop Uveitis, an inflammation inside the eye that may not cause obvious symptoms. That’s why regular eye exams are so important, even if your child’s eyes look and feel completely fine.

When's your next appointment booked?

Learn more about Uveitis at www.cassieandfriends.ca/Uveitis. 🔗

10/02/2026

What if your biggest strength is the story only you can tell? 👀

Join Cassie + Friends for Telling Your Story: Workshop on Writing Effective Applications—a virtual workshop designed to help you turn your experiences into stronger, more authentic applications.

Whether you’re applying for university, college, a vocational program, a scholarship, a volunteer opportunity or a job, you’ll learn how to highlight your strengths, share your experiences and make your application stand out.

🗓️ Saturday, October 17
🕐 1 p.m. PST | 4 p.m. EST
💻 Virtual on Zoom

Register now at the link in our bio. 🔗

10/02/2026

This ones for you! 🫵

Our new website is live, built with one core idea in mind: families shouldn’t have to figure this journey out alone. 💚

We know that when a child is diagnosed with juvenile arthritis or another childhood rheumatic disease, everything can feel overwhelming very quickly — and finding clear, trusted support shouldn’t add to that stress. This new site was created to feel calmer, simpler, and more supportive from the very first click!

As Cassie + Friends continues to grow across Canada, we also needed a space that better reflects the work we do alongside families, clinics, and researchers — all connected by one shared goal: better care and better outcomes for kids.

We hope it feels like a little more support when you need it most. 🫶

Go on, go check it out at www.cassieandfriends.ca 🔗

10/01/2026

Daniela was just five years old when painful red rashes began appearing on her legs. ❤️‍🩹

For seven years, her family searched for answers through bloodwork, biopsies and specialist appointments. At 13, Daniela was finally diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

Before lupus changed her life, Daniela loved karate, swimming, competitive dance and gymnastics. Painful flares often forced her to step away from the activities she loved, but today, with the right treatment, she’s back doing many of the things she enjoys, including playing girls’ tackle football.

Now, Daniela is turning her experience into purpose. Inspired by the care she received, she hopes to become a pediatric rheumatologist and help other kids facing similar challenges.

On October 3, Daniela will lead the Team Cassie + Friends Sudbury Run/Walk with her club at Bell Park to raise awareness and support for kids, youth and families living with juvenile arthritis, lupus and other childhood rheumatic diseases. 💙

Join Daniela and register for the run, donate, or cheer on Team Cassie + Friends at www.cassieandfriends.ca/Run 🔗