Changing the world for children with JIA: The Childhood Arthritis & Beyond Conference and Cassie + Friends family day 2024

Once in a while, you experience something that changes you. It feels so big and significant that it takes a while to even begin to process your thoughts. For us, visiting Canada as part of the Cassie + Friends #ConnectingJA day followed by the UCAN-CANDU Childhood Arthritis & Beyond Conference was one of those times. 

It re-ignited the fire in our hearts and reminded us of exactly why Juvenile Arthritis Research began - to see a cure for children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) so that we can one day live in a world where no child has to suffer from arthritis. 

We've always believed in more for our children with JIA. More than just treatment, more than respite, more than relief - We want to see a cure for JIA so that every child and young person with the condition can achieve permanent unmedicated remission. Perhaps one day we'll go beyond that even and understand the clues to actually prevent JIA too. 

We've never been afraid to dream these big dreams, and dare to hope for a cure for our children and to take steps towards that in everything we do. 

Going to Canada to attend this special two-in-one conference was one of those important steps. Last month we were invited to attend two conferences in Canada which had been carefully created to seamlessly flow from one into the other and bringing together the power of patients, clinicians and researchers in a truly transformative way.

Our time in Canada started with the Cassie + Friends family day in Toronto. We all know how important it is to connect with others to share knowledge and experiences and to benefit from peer to peer support. In the UK we do this through our online Parent Zoom sessions, 1:1 support for families, our online parent/carer network and our face-to-face local events. Cassie + Friends have gone a step further in creating a special #ConnectingJA family day uniting families from all across Canada at the event.

Bringing together a range of topics and activities, the children were able to enjoy the day with age-appropriate sessions to learn more about their condition and connect with others who also have a rheumatic condition - from an animal encounters session, to meeting an inspirational celebrity, to teddy bear clinic - the whole day was jam-packed with so many fun activities for the children. Parents and caregivers had a range of talks about relevant topics to choose from ranging from gut health and nutrition to transition, mental health and more.

As the #ConnectingJA day came to an end, the Childhood Arthritis and Beyond conference began.  To say that we felt excited by the research that we heard about is an understatement. The research team are making breakthroughs that are going to change the way we think about and treat Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Just knowing that we've found others in the world who not only believe, as we do, that a cure for JIA is possible, but are getting closer and closer to a world where no child has to suffer from arthritis, fills us with an intense and incredible hope. We were delighted to be there to represent the UK in standing with this team and showing our support. 

Much of what was presented was 'hot off the press' as yet unpublished results. We can't wait until more can be shared about what is happening in this field to bring the children and families that we support hope for what the future holds. 

We look forward to sharing more about this exciting research in the future. The research team have been invited to speak at the ENCA online conference on Saturday 14th September. Sign-up now to hear more.