Help Amy raise money

March is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month!

Beyond all the direct support Cassie + Friends offers kids and their families; they are also advancing research for rheumatic disease! 

"The Cassie + Friends Care and Research Network (CREW) is a bold next step in our vision of a pain-free future for all kids with juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.

What has our CREW
achieved to date?

In 2021, we funded our first nine CREW grants totaling $130,000 to advance research and patient/family care in pediatric rheumatology centres across Canada. 
In May 2023, we announced our second major CREW funding opportunity – an unprecedented $480,000 in new research funding made possible by a partnership with Brain Canada – as part of a coordinated strategy to transform youth mental health in pediatric rheumatic diseases over the next two to three years."

You can learn more about CREW and their incredible research, funded projects, and Mental Health strategy here: Juvenile Arthritis Care & Research Funding (CREW) - Cassie and Friends Society

Fundraising update: Almost four weeks in and we surpassed our initial fundraising goal. My dear friend, and fellow Marathoner, Morgan, joined the Cassie + Friends team and collectively we have reached 62% of our new goal. I am so appreciative to all of you who have donated and for all the encouragement!

Update on Audj: For those who have asked about Audrey's recovery from surgery- she has a few days left in her cast and then she's on to the air cast! Her parents report that, beyond being bored at times, and missing her friends are day care, she is doing SO well. The resilience is kids is always so astounding to me! 

Training: Things are going well! I had a hiccup encountering a bug that forced me to skip a couple runs, and slow down on some others, but I am back on track as of this weekend! I LOVE coming back from some down time because my legs always feel like springboards, and today's long run felt GLORIOUS! We're in a cold snap, so I've been on the treadmill a bit more which is not my favorite. I'm hopeful with the forecast this week, that it will feel much more like spring again soon, and I can with the feeling of sunshine on my face! 

Thanks for reading! For following along! For donating! For being an advocate for a pain-free future for kids! Cassie + Friends recently shared a post about JA awareness month which included the hashtag #GetFlaredUp and this community motivates me to do just that! 

12 weeks to go! 

Run HAPPY,

Amy 

A Pain-Free Future for Kids! -- I can't think of a better reason to run or a better way to add meaning to the miles. Especially for my favorite, nearly-five-year-old, Audrey June! 

Audrey was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) when she was just 18 months old. You can read more about Audrey's story and the Dieroff's experience, when Audrey was first diagnosed, here: Audrey's JIA Story - Cassie and Friends Society

On a very personal note (I am already tearing up as I write this line) Audrey was the first kid in my life to call me and to know me as Aunty Amy- what an incredible honor! This kid is sassy, sweet, hilarious, hectic, kind, tough, and pure love. Recently, Audrey had a significant ankle surgery, and she is recovering extremely well! In my line of work, I come across a lot of people who use walkers, but none as speedy and agile as Audj! Especially not on the day of hospital discharge - kids are so darn resilient! Her resilience facing JIA, and everything that comes along with it, has inspired me to take action.

Team AJ has supported fundraising efforts for Cassie + Friends for the last three years and we're already planning for year four! This year, in addition to the Edmonton Walk/Run, I'll be participating in the Calgary Marathon. I can't think of a better Charity Partner to bring awareness to than Cassie + Friends. 

The immediate and ongoing community and wraparound support offered to the Dieroff Family by Cassie + Friends is unparalleled. This organization puts patients first, advocating for families navigating complex diagnoses and care plans.

With the Calgary Marathon just 16 weeks away, my Marathon Build has officially begun. I'll be sharing regular updates on my training progress and shedding light on the unique supports and services offered by Cassie + Friends. For now, feel free to explore their website at: Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis - Support and Resources - Cassie + Friends (cassieandfriends.ca)

(Audrey and fam cheering for me at my first Marathon (attempt) in 2022!)

Run Happy!

Amy