Amaara's ERA Avengers
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Our story…
Last year I was travelling and started having leg pain. This pain persisted for months and never got better. My mom took me to many doctors to get answers but nobody could figure out what was wrong with me. They all thought I was experiencing growing pains. Then I started walking with an unusual walk and my back began to hunch over. The pain was immense and I was very scared. Finally, I ended up in emergency at B.C. Children's Hospital where they did 2 MRI scans. I was given the diagnosis of Enthesitis Related Arthritis (ERA), a form of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA).
I was very scared because the treatment to this disease involved getting many needles, which was my biggest fear in life. I stayed at B.C. Children's and Sunnyhill Hospital for many months where I received amazing care. Now with the help of my rheumatology team and amazing family, I can live with ERA and go to school normally like a regular kid. I have made friends with my disease and know there is nothing holding me back from achieving my goals.
Currently, there is no cure for ERA but we can continue to support research and hopefully one day there will be!
Thank you to everyone for supporting me and donating to boost JIA research!
Description
I’m proud to be fundraising for Cassie + Friends, a Canadian charity dedicated to supporting children, youth, and families affected by juvenile arthritis and other childhood rheumatic diseases such as lupus, JDM, vasculitis, and autoinflammatory fever syndromes.
For these kids, living with juvenile arthritis affects far more than their joints. It can mean ongoing pain and fatigue, missed school and activities, frequent medical appointments and injections, and learning to navigate a complex healthcare system far too young. When diagnosis or care is delayed, the consequences can last for years. Families often begin this journey feeling overwhelmed, isolated, and unsure where to turn.
Cassie + Friends helps change that — by connecting families early, providing trusted education and practical support, and investing in research that leads to better care and brighter futures.
By supporting this fundraiser, you’re helping ensure families receive the tools, confidence, and community they need — when it matters most.
Every donation, no matter the size, creates real impact for kids across Canada.
Together, we’re helping families in Vancouver and across British Columbia, including those from rural and remote communities, to navigate daily life with Juvenile Arthritis — while advancing the research and care that will bring us closer to better treatments, and ultimately, a cure.
Thank you so much for standing with these incredible children and their families. It truly means the world.
Team members
Click on one of our team members below to make a donation.
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Amaara’s ERA Avengers
Raised: CA$669.62
Team captain
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Amaara Garga
Raised: CA$0.00
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Eila Garga
Raised: CA$0.00
Recent donors
| Donation date | Donor name | Donation amount |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 22 | Fire Mamu | CA$107.72 |
| Apr 19 | Genevieve Larrivee | CA$54.31 |
| Apr 19 | Ashok Garga | CA$535.02 |
| Apr 16 | Anonymous | Undisclosed amount |
| Apr 15 | Anonymous | CA$267.96 |
| Apr 15 | Kristin Riley | CA$27.60 |
| Apr 14 | Megan, Lily & Fiona | CA$54.31 |
| Apr 14 | Cora & Bea | CA$50.00 |
| Apr 13 | Nicole L | CA$54.31 |
| Apr 12 | Rio churro papaya taquito guava | CA$25.00 |
