My team
My team
Cassie and Friends Society for Juvenile Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases
Total raised: CA$2,502.86
Goal: CA$500.00
Visit team page Join my teamMy Story…
I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in January 2026, after 6 months of slow deteriorating joint pain in my body. The diagnosis and associated joint pain was very hard to accept and there were many dark days as I realized how hard this journey was and how it was going to be.
The timing wasn't great as I was having hip surgery in February, for unrelated pain I'd been dealing with for years that got in the way of sports. Recovering from the surgery and navigating my new autoimmune disease was challenging, but I'm grateful for the support of my wife, family, friends, Rheum To Thrive Support Group, and for my own internal drive and compassion.
I came across Cassie + Friends and was deeply moved by the mission and story of Cassie. I have a soon-to-be 3 year old son, and to know that there are kids who have to go through the hardships associated with rheumatic diseases is just heartbreaking.
I'm looking forward to this run as a way to honour not just my own resilience and strength, but the countless children and their parents who have to go through things similar and often times worse than what I went through.
It would mean a lot to me - more than you might think - if you would consider donating to my cause. No amount is to small. More importantly, this will mean the world for the communities and children affected by Juvenile arthritis and related rheumatic diseases.
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 Toronto and across Ontario, 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.
Recent donors
| Donation date | Donor name | Donation amount |
|---|---|---|
| May 15 | Anonymous | Undisclosed amount |
| May 13 | Wisam Zaghal | CA$250.00 |
