Sun’s out, school’s closed, summer’s in full swing — let’s set aside some time to talk about juvenile idiopathic arthritis in the month of July!
What is JIA?
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is not a disease in it of itself. Also known as pediatric rheumatic disease, JIA is a part of the larger juvenile arthritis (JA) umbrella used to describe the autoimmune and inflammatory conditions or pediatric rheumatic diseases that can develop in children under the age of 16.
While JA is broader, JIA is rare – and itself is an umbrella term. There are a number of different types of JIA; while all of these types share some common characteristics, they each have a little something that sets them apart. The different types of JIA are:
- Oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Psoriatic juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis—rheumatoid factor negative
- Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis—rheumatoid factor positive
- Undifferentiated arthritis
- Enthesitis-related juvenile idiopathic arthritis
To get a deeper dive into JIA click here!
Consider a Donation
The Arthritis National Research Foundation funds arthritis research to find a cure for arthritis, and this includes trying to find a cure for children suffering each year with this debilitating disease.
By supporting arthritis research specific to juvenile arthritis every year, they are providing hope for a better life for the children and their families living every day with arthritis.
Click here to make a donation.
No amount is too small!
Wear Your Support on Your Sleeve: Literally!
Show your support for Juvenile Arthritis in July by:
- Wearing a blue Cure Arthritis bracelet
- Getting your official Cure Arthritis Gear
- Joining the Cure Arthritis Crew
- Purchase a Together We Can Cure Arthritis T-shirt or the NEW Retro Kids Get Arthritis T-shirt!
Not only do proceeds help find a cure, but you can start a conversation by wearing your swag.
Virtual Strides and Racing for a Cure
Founded in 2014, Virtual Strides raises money for charity and provides other organizations the infrastructure to raise money for their causes.
Click here to learn how you can virtually participate in a walk for JIA!
There’s even a treat for you Game of Thrones fans 😉
Also, Racing For A Cure is a team of people around the world raising arthritis awareness and support toward finding a cure for arthritis. The Racing For A Cure team welcomes all abilities and activities – walkers, runners, tri-athletes, cyclists, hikers, adaptive sports and swimmers — full coverage!
Click here to join a team or start a team/event in your area!
So whether you’re a virtual athlete or a seasoned one, there’s an opportunity for you to get involved!
Get Social with Media
Awareness is the key to making Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month a success. Share your cure arthritis pictures on social media using #CureArthritis and #KidsGetArthritis to show your support and raise awareness!
For Facebook: Click here to use the Arthritis Awareness Month Frame
For Twitter: Click here to use the frame via Twibbon
