Juvenile Arthritis

The Arthritis Foundation values families who face the challenges of arthritis and related diseases.  Below you can learn about the many opportunities available in your area through the Juvenile Arthritis (JA) Program. 

www.KidsGetArthritisToo.org is designed for children to learn about symptoms, treatments, doctor visits, growing up with JA and more.  

The Arthritis Foundation Pen Pals
This program provides the opportunity for children with juvenile arthritis or a related condition to make a new friend and share feelings and experiences. Children sign up by filling out a questionnaire and are assigned a pen pal with similar interests.

Get Involved

Juvenile Arthritis Alliance (JAA)
The JA Alliance is a virtual community connected through the Arthritis Foundation website.  We’re here to provide the resources and opportunities for you to learn, connect and share with others. Click here for more info. 

Advocacy
Learn about how you can get involved and make a difference.  Click here.

For more information on Juvenile Arthritis programs, please contact Kara Dorda at 800-968-3030 ext. 226 or kdorda@arthritis.org.

Scholarships

The UCB Rheumatoid Arthritis Family Scholarship Program
The UCB RA Scholarship Program recognizes and rewards exceptional students who take control of their rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and do not allow it to control them. Click here to check on information for the 2012 program.

Events

Juvenile Arthritis Conference- July 19-22-Marriot Saint Louis Union Station

The Juvenile Arthritis Conference is the Arthritis Foundation's signature, nationwide event for families affected by juvenile arthritis. Join us for this three-day education event that focuses on health, wellness and fun for children affected by arthritis, lupus, myositis, ankylosing spondylitis and other rheumatic diseases. The whole family is invited! Specific educational tracks focus on issues relating to parents, teens/young adults, children affected by arthritis and their siblings.  Click here for more information.

Click here to see the JA Conference Scholarship

Camp Dakota- July 29th-August 3rd, 2012

Camp Dakota is a week-long residential summer camp for children/teens ages 7-16 with juvenile arthritis and related diseases. It’s a fun-filled week held at Lions Bear Lake Camp in Lapeer, MI. The camp was developed for physically challenged youth and is completely barrier free. A new family open house will be held at the camp on Saturday, July 7th, 2012 (pre-registration is required).  To learn more about Camp Dakota or to register your family for the open house, please contact Kara Dorda at kdorda@arthritis.org or 800-968-3030 Ext. 226.  Click here for the camp brochure.

Juvenile Arthritis Family Day-2012 Date TBD

This free event is open to families with a child diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. Parents gather in the auditorium for physician speakers, and the kids enjoy supervised age-appropriate activities.