Cassie and Friends - The Arthritis Society of British Columbia

The Cassie and Friends Fund was established after David Porte, a Vancouver father of two, registered for the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge 5km run on June 24, 2007. His then two-year-old daughter, Cassie, was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis in September 2006 and David was looking for a way that he could make a difference in the lives of children living with this chronic disease.

He saw an advertisement for the Scotiabank run and signed up in support of The Arthritis Society. David then wrote to his friends and contacts, shocking many of them with the news that his little girl had arthritis, a disease that most people associate with seniors. The response to his appeal was immediate and overwhelming. Within weeks, he raised over $40,000.

It is because of David and his wife Debbie’s initiative and their subsequent commitment to fundraising for juvenile arthritis that The Arthritis Society established the Cassie and Friends Fund for Children with Juvenile Arthritis. The “friends” refers to the generous donors to this fund, as well as the thousands of other children who are affected by this disease.

The Cassie and Friends Fund was officially launched by The Arthritis Society, BC and Yukon Division, on December 5th, 2007. The purpose of the fund is to:

	To raise awareness of juvenile arthritis through educational programs and media relations.

	To raise money for juvenile arthritis research as well as pediatric rheumatology programs, services and equipment.

	To organize events or educational forums where families can learn more about the disease, the latest research, as well as sharing their concerns and challenges as parents of children with a chronic disease.

	To assist and support The Arthritis Society in being the voice of children with juvenile arthritis to the government.

Donations can be made by credit card online via this website, or by telephone, fax, and mail with a credit card or cheque...