July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month

Did you know kids get arthritis too? Over 300,000 kids in the US have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month and the Arthritis Foundation is passionate about fighting for a cure and raising awareness for JA warriors.

There are many forms of juvenile arthritis (JA), the disease attacks the child’s joints and immune system causing pain, inflammation, and stiffness.¹ With multiple types of JA, each form affects the child differently. The Arthritis Foundation’s website, www.kidsgetarthritistoo.org, provides in-depth information about the different types.

An early diagnosis is a key to stopping greater progression and damage from the disease. Although there have been advances in identifying JA earlier, we are still not where we need to be, as many children are misdiagnosed until they are referred to a pediatric rheumatologist. This is one reason why spreading awareness about juvenile arthritis this month is so important.

What We’re Doing For JA

We remain hopeful for a cure as we continue to fund research to learn more about juvenile arthritis. Medicine and medical treatments have become more advanced over the years, helping kids with arthritis live fuller lives. The Arthritis Foundation also has research-backed tips involving self-care, health, and anti-inflammatory diets to help manage JA.²

On a local level, we’re helping families affected by juvenile arthritis through multiple platforms. The Arthritis Foundation’s Minnesota office hosts Camp Cambria every summer at the end of July into August. This gives kids with JA the opportunity to not feel alone and connect with others their age who have arthritis. We also build community and support through JA family days, other community events, and distributing up to date resources.

We strive to raise awareness every day for kids affected by arthritis, we hope this month you’ll join us!

How You Can Help

Although we have made great strides in deepening our understanding of JA, we still have steps to take for a cure and help kids with juvenile arthritis be kids again. Here are a few ways you can help –

Raise awareness by starting a conversation online or in person and educating yourself on how juvenile arthritis is affecting 300,000 kids nationwide. We have a variety of resources available online at www.kidsgetarthritistoo.org  

Get involved locally by volunteering or attending our community events. The Arthritis Foundation in Minnesota has local events happening throughout the year.

Donate to the Arthritis Foundation and help us continue our research for a cure, fund camp scholarships for kids, produce new resources for families, and more. You can donate online or send directly to our office – 662 Transfer Rd, St Paul, MN 55114.

If you would like to learn more information, contact The Arthritis Foundation at 651.968.443 or rrowell@arthritis.org.

Rachel Rowell graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications and minors in Leadership and Political Science. She currently works as the Market Relations Coordinator at the Arthritis Foundation in St. Paul, MN. Rachel is passionate about spreading awareness for the kids and adults who suffer from arthritis.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, sewing, and hiking and fishing with her husband when the MN weather permits it.

References
¹“Strength Comes in Numbers This Juvenile Arthritis Month.” Juvenile Arthritis Blog. http://blog.arthritis.org/juvenile-arthritis/awareness-month-2018/. Accessed 11 July 2018.

² “Daily Life with Juvenile Arthritis.” Kids Get Arthritis, Too. http://www.kidsgetarthritistoo.org/living-with-ja/daily-life/. Accessed 11 July 2018.