Childrens Chronic Arthritis Association - CCAA

09/06/2026

Booking Still Open!

We are very excited to meet all the families who are already booked onto our CCAA SOUTHERN SUMMER PICNIC!!

🐧 If you have already booked, you should have received an email confirming your place. (if not please let us know [email protected])

🐧 If you have not already booked it is not too late! You can do so via this link:

https://www.ccaa.org.uk/events-consent-form/

DETAILS:
The event will take place in Priory Park, Reigate on Sunday 5th July. Bring your own picnic and join the fun! The event is for the whole family so siblings are very welcome of course. Wristbands for the mini bumper cars, inflatables etc will be covered by CCAA. Full details including exact times, meeting place etc will be provided to each family on receipt of booking forms.

Whether you have been to a CCAA event before or this is your first time, we can't wait to see you there!

With special thanks and congratulations again to Fatimah for her gorgeous, colourful, competition-winning poster and to our amazing local area rep volunteers Maria and Steph for their time, energy and commitment!

N.B. Being entirely outdoors, this event will be weather dependent so cross your fingers and toes! ⛅If necessary, any cancellation will be communicated to all those who have booked via email and more widely via our social channels nearer the time.

08/06/2026

Awards for Healthcare Professionals and teachers!

Did you know that we have a range of awards that you can send to healthcare professionals or teachers who have made a big difference to your child or family in terms of living with JIA?

We felt it could help to recognise and celebrate great care. We know that every award we send out also helps to raise awareness about JIA. We know how much you love our award badge scheme and so we created these 3 special awards!

🐧 Thank You!
🐧 I care!
🐧 Above and Beyond!

Take a moment to nominate someone special in your child's life!

https://www.ccaa.org.uk/how-we-help/ccaa-award-badges/hp-award-badge/

05/06/2026

❤️🐧FRIDAY FUNDRAISER🐧❤️

Wow!!!! Fantastic news. Jude did it!
On 25th May Jude, who has JIA, completed his amazing Challenge of completing the UK 3 Peaks Challenge in 24hrs. Climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon. Congratulations Jude, what an achievement for you after such a difficult few years with your health. What a star you are 🌟. We are all very proud of you. You have also raised an incredible £1170 for CCAA Kids with Arthritis. We are so grateful to everyone who has donated 👏👏👏👏. Still time to donate for his fantastic achievement. Thank you to your family and friends for their support to CCAA. 🐧❤️🐧


https://www.justgiving.com/page/jodie-kjelstrup-10

04/06/2026

Research Opportunity: Does pain affect children and young people's social networks?
Open to: Young people aged 10-24 with pain that has lasted for at least 3 months
Lead Researcher: Esme Purcell, MSc Health Psychology Student, University of Manchester

📣Participants needed!
Are you or your child aged between 10 and 24 years old? Have you or your child ever had, or do you have chronic pain lasting for at least 3 months?
Please get in touch to take part in my study exploring the impact of talking about pain with people in your life!

If you are interested, please follow the QR code in the poster below, or the link to find out more about the study and express your interest: https://www.qualtrics.manchester.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_a4uPsVMLU6vz2ce

Feel free to contact the research team directly via email to express your interest, or ask any questions ([email protected])

Compensation will be provided to children and young people who take part in this study as a thank you for their time.

01/06/2026

⭐️MONDAY BADGE STORY ⭐️

We are sending super special congratulations to Luna -Rae (4) this week for her fabulous award! Amazing!

Luna-Rae was nominated for her award by one of her specialist nurses. She told us that "Luna was only 22 months old when she was diagnosed with JIA. She required treatment with injections from diagnosis starting with steroid joint injections then moving up the treatment ladder to subcutaneous injections. Luna became very anxious at clinic appointments and would be upset and mistrusting of the healthcare professionals due to the anticipation of having some treatment. Over the past 2+ years Luna has grown into a lovely little girl who comes into her appointments willingly, she is happy to share what she has been up to in school... Although Luna is still at the beginning of her journey, she has taken on her health challenges and already overcome some fears and developed strategies to manage these. She is a bright, happy, courageous little girl and an excellent clinic patient."

We know this story will sound very familiar to lots of our followers. If your child is managing these extra challenges that JIA brings, we have awards to help them along the way!

https://www.ccaa.org.uk/ccaa-award-badges/

27/05/2026

INSPIRE MSK - Research Opportunity

Open to: Young people aged 12-24 with pain in bones, joints, ligaments, muscles or tendons
Lead Researcher: Dr Line Caes, Associate Professor, University of Stirling

Click here to find out more about this work via an easy to watch video information sheet! https://www.canva.com/design/DAG2aTD9pWQ/eSMsHtsPOYrR7CcBJo5AkQ/watch?utm_content=DAG2aTD9pWQ&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h9c366d8d2a

25/05/2026

⭐️MONDAY BADGE STORY ⭐️

Massive congratulations to our award badge recipient Michael (10) this week for his award! Well done Michael 👏

Michael's Mum Leanne sent us a message saying "My son received his Active Award today and it cheered him up no end! He didn't know anything about it. It's his injection day so this has helped and he's actively trying to find ways of how to achieve the next award!"

This was exactly our aim when we established our award badge scheme over 5 years ago now. We hoped that it would spur on children and their families dealing with JIA at home. We wanted to find something positive that they could collect and that would mean something to them. We know that many children go on to take their awards into school which also helps raise awareness. The awards are also one way to mark their journey with JIA and to look back on when they are older to help understand what has happened to them.

To nominate a child or young person for an award please click here 👇
https://www.ccaa.org.uk/ccaa-award-badges/

24/05/2026

Methotrexate and Siblings!

As part of a larger study into understanding how best to support children and families with methotrexate treatment, researchers at the University of Manchester would like to speak to siblings of those taking methotrexate.

We know that siblings are impacted by having a brother or sister taking methotrexate but they rarely get a chance to share how they feel about this. Taking part in this research would be a brilliant opportunity for any siblings impacted to have their own moment and to contribute to improvements for future families.

And of course siblings would be eligible for one of our CCAA awards to add to their lanyard!

For more information, or to sign up please use
📝the QR code on the image
📝this link https://qualtricsxmncfq8xhl6.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3rqVqnblI61NOeO
📝 or email [email protected]

23/05/2026

Incase you missed it!

Invitation to a Science Treasure Trail!

You are invited to a public event to celebrate paediatric rare disease research at Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (GOS-ICH).

This event will showcase the breadth and impact of paediatric rare disease research, highlighting how collaboration between researchers, clinicians, patients, families, and charities is driving progress and improving outcomes for children and young people with rare and complex conditions.

The programme will include a series of interactive 'discovery trail' stations which cover different areas of research, short talks and a Q&A. The event is open to the public and we encourage attendees to bring their families, all ages are welcome though please note - the activity stations are suited for ages 5+.

The event will be held on Saturday June 20 at GOS-ICH between 13:00-17:00. You can register for the event through this link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1984546320467?aff=oddtdtcreator.

22/05/2026

❤️🐧FRIDAY FUNDRAISER🐧❤️
Today we are sharing the journey of Jude and his family. He has been through a difficult few years, but is now challenging himself to take part in the 3 Peaks Challenge to raise funds for CCAA Kids with Arthritis. What an amazing young man you are Jude! We are all very proud of you. Good Luck for your Challenge and thank you so much for your support and spreading awareness of JIA. 👍🐧❤️🐧❤️🐧



https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BWc7cxqZw/

He was diagnosed aged two but has shown incredible resilience - even learning to walk, talk and eat again after becoming seriously ill