Help us raise money

When Charlie was just 2 years old, she had a big swollen toe. We questioned it but thought it was just a break or bruise. We began to worry after a few days when Charlie refused to walk on it without crying. Our local hospital thought it might have been a mild break, but didn’t see anything on x-rays. I trusted my gut and knew it was something more. We went to the Children’s Hospital in London, ON where they didn’t give up until they knew exactly why our little one was experiencing so much pain. It took almost a year, multiple referrals, some scary ideas and tests until finally a doctor said to us “this looks like Juvenile Arthritis.”

We were shocked – and confused. My husband and I had never heard of JIA! Kids could get arthritis?! Almost 8 years have passed since that strange big toe – Charlie has tried more than 10 different medications, had multiple joint injections, daily physiotherapy, types of braces and supports and struggled with the physical and emotional toll of her condition. She now is taking daily medications and has to go for Biologic infusions every 4 weeks just to keep her pain under some sort of control – and it still isn’t perfect.

Parenting this has been especially challenging. There are so many times where I have been overwhelmed with information and questions on this journey. One late night and avid researching – I found Cassie + Friends. I knew that there had to be SOMEONE out there who understood what I was going through. I finally didn’t feel alone..

Through Cassie + Friends, I have been able to be part of a team fundraising for things such as the Loan Cupboard at LHSC (providing supports and resources to families with JIA and other rheumatic diseases), educate friends and family with informative, research based information, and find supports to help Charlotte no longer feel alone. Cassie + Friends has partnered on groundbreaking research, and most recently their partnership with Brain Canada to research the impacts on Mental Health and JIA - which is sometimes our biggst battle. 

Over the years, Cassie + Friends has been more than just a charity to us. They are our community, our family and helping make a difference for our girl. I now have the most amazing job as their Youth + Family Engagement Coordinator where I get to be the voice that answers the scared, new emails from mom's just like me almost 8 years ago, plan amazing events, work on our programs and more!