Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Australia

20/05/2026

𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐉𝐮𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝

The Christina Boros Award at the Annual Australian Rheumatology Conference is an annual award recognising excellence in research on juvenile arthritis and related rheumatic diseases. The 2026 Award was won (on Monday 18 May) by Diana Bond and team from the University of Sydney for their work on a 5 year national research project that links de-identified administrative data to determine what happens to children and young people with arthritis in the health system and beyond. The project is led by Prof Natasha Nassar who some of you have heard speak on JAFA online symposia. It is funded by a federal government research grant secured by JAFA In 2022 and will finish next year. Two JAFA parents, one young adult with arthritis and a JAFA Board member are representing consumers on this important research project.

12/05/2026

𝐀 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬

JAFA welcomes this important document from the National Health and Medical Research Council which sets a new and high standard for research policy and activities, researchers and research funders to embrace and practice genuine and respectful inclusion of consumers and consumer perspectives in all types, aspects and phases of research in Australia.

This is a significant step forward in ensuring equality of the consumer voice in research matters and we are pleased to say that JAFA was intimately involved and provided extensive feedback throughout the various rounds of consultation for the development of this groundbreaking national government policy.

Acknowledgement of CountryThe National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of Country and pay respect to Elders past, present, and future. As Australia’s fi...

10/05/2026

𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐘 𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐘 (𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨)

The JAFA Team wishes mothers and grandmothers of children with arthritis and related rheumatic disease a wonderful, happy and relaxed Mother’s Day.

Our Mothers' Day gift to you is this short 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 to help teachers better understand the impact of JIA and CRDs on children’s learning and school life. Its purpose is to help you introduce the topic or remind the teacher that your child needs his/her teacher to watch out for and support them. Just email the link and a few details about your child to his/her teacher and others such as sports and learning support teacher and year co-ordinator, as you see fit.

JAFA warmly thanks those who participated in and supported this project:

𝐃𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐓𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne.
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐮𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐞, the two beautiful JAFA kids who made it come to life.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐀𝐅𝐀 𝐦𝐮𝐦𝐬 who are also primary school teachers who guided it.
𝐁𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐱𝐭𝐨𝐧 who waved his magic digital wand to put it all together.
Commonwealth Bank Australia for the grant that enabled this work.

🎥:

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

26/04/2026

𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦

JAFA is thrilled to announce the launch of its new, national Advocacy Training Program for parents, older children and young people with juvenile arthritis and related rheumatic diseases.
JAFA is grateful to the Australian Government for the funding to undertake this program which aims to equip consumers with the understanding and confidence to get the information and support they need from the health system, school or workplace, and get their voices heard in matters that affect their health.
The inaugural mini-workshop will be held on Saturday May 16, at the Gold Coast University Hospital, Southport QLD. Families from Queensland and northern NSW are warmly welcome and a schedule for workshops in other states will be released soon.

You can register (free) for May 16 at the QR code or:

Register for the Juvenile Arthritis Workshop – Your Life, Your Voice, Your Power! Saturday May 16, 2026 at Gold Coast University Hospital. An introduction to consumer advocacy for parents and young people with JIA and CRDs.

20/04/2026

𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐑 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝟏,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬!

In another exciting landmark for juvenile arthritis (JIA) and childhood rheumatic diseases (CRDs), the Australian Juvenile Arthritis Registry (AJAR) has reached its first 1,000 registrants.

AJAR collects basic de-identified information on 0-24yr olds with JIA and CRDs. This information is critical to understanding and addressing the impact of these diseases on children and young people and their families. It is also a vital tool in JAFA’s advocacy to improve health services and increase funding for better treatments and research.

So, let’s start on the next 1,000 and put juvenile arthritis firmly on the map.

If you haven’t already, you can register today and change your child’s tomorrow!

It’s quick, it’s easy and it’s important. Register here: https://jafa.kids/ajar

You can find out more by downloading the Inaugural AJAR report. Download report: https://jafa.kids/AJARreport

17/04/2026

𝐉𝐀𝐅𝐀 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐉𝐮𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧

JAFA is delighted to announce the launch of its new Community Awareness Campaign for juvenile arthritis. This community focussed campaign complements JAFA's ongoing program to support GPs and other health professionals to recognise and refer juvenile arthritis early.

The Community Awareness Campaign messaging shown in this 30 second video link is now showing on TV screens in GP waiting rooms across Australia and will be accompanied by a national social media campaign.

This is another 'first' in the battle to reduce harmful delays in the diagnosis of JIA from an average of 10 months to 10 weeks.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

16/04/2026

𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 𝟐 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐆𝐎!!!

With a huge thank you all who've participated and /or donated to raise over $12,000 thus far, JAFA's Step Together virtual fundraiser closes at the end of April BUT..... There's still time to get stepping with family and friends. Every $50 raised helps JAFA to do something more for children and young people with JIA/CRDs.

It's not too late to join in or donate so we finish Step Together 2026 in a burst. See how to participate or donate and see what's already been raised at the link. It's easy. It's fun and your kids will feel a real sense of purpose in helping JAFA help them.

Step Together with JAFA

15/04/2026

𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐉𝐀𝐅𝐀 𝐏𝐮𝐭 𝐉𝐈𝐀 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐩!

Information about how many Australian children and young people have juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and other childhood rheumatic diseases (CRDs) and how it affects them is severely limited.

The Australian Juvenile Arthritis Registry (AJAR) is changing that by collecting vital data about these diseases. By registering your child (or yourself, if you're between 18-25 years old), you can contribute to a national picture to guide health policy, funding, and research, and help ensure families get the care and resources they need. All data is de-identified, i.e., it cannot be linked to you and your name is never mentioned. Every registration helps make JIA more visible and gives a voice to those living with it and their families. Be part of this important effort and help put JIA on the map.

Join Bondi and nearly 1,000 others like her on the Registry and put JIA/CRDs on the map! It’s quick (5 mins), it’s easy, and it’s important!

Learn more and how to be involved at this link: https://jafa.kids/ajar

13/04/2026

𝐉𝐮𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

JAFA sincerely thank Ms Alison Byrnes MP for her acknowledgement of Juvenile Awareness Week (March 16-22) in the federal Parliament. Ms Brynes also acknowledged the courage and resilience of the children and families in her electorate of Cunningham who are living with arthritis. JAFA is grateful for Ms Byrnes advocacy and her assistance in raising political awareness of juvenile arthritis.

Video here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1756452665738642

10/04/2026

𝐉𝐈𝐀 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬

Early recognition of JIA changes lives - and our community can help make that happen.

You can raise awareness of JIA among health professionals by sharing a few postcards with family and friends and ask them to pass one to their GP, pharmacist or physio. A simple “Do you know about this campaign” can spark an important conversation.

Order 12 or 24 free cards by emailing [email protected] with your postal address and you'll receive them within a week.

01/04/2026

𝐀 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐉𝐀𝐅𝐀'𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 – 𝐈𝐦𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐧

JAFA’s Youth Advocate Imogen Rovers, is proud to support JAFA and the Step Together Virtual Fundraiser and she's raised over $1,000.

She’s keen to see others get behind Step Togighter to support JAFA's work on awareness of JIA, better access to services and medications, consumer conferences and givernment funding for kids and young people with JIA and related CRDs. Hear what she has to say.

With Easter and School holidays upon us, it’s an ideal time to grab family and friends and join with others to support JAFA here: http://jafa.kids/step26