July Is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month

Did you know that July is Juvenile Arthritis (JA) Awareness month? An estimated 300,000 children in the U.S. — that’s 1 in 250 kids — are affected by some form of JA. This disease takes a unique physical and emotional toll on kids, often resulting in debilitating pain and feelings of loneliness or depression. JA can make it especially challenging for kids to say Yes — Yes to playing, Yes to hanging out with friends, Yes to spending time with family, Yes to being a kid!

Our JA Warriors Prove They’re #StrongerThanJA!

JA Awareness Month coincides with our annual Juvenile Arthritis Conference, so we decided to take our efforts to the next level to spread awareness about the seriousness of JA! Every day we are constantly in awe of the children, siblings, parents, families and caregivers we meet who face and overcome the everyday challenges of living with arthritis. Kids like the ones who attend ourJA Conferenceare true JA “Warriors” who work each and every day to stay happy and healthy while battling this debilitating disease.

We know arthritis doesn’t define you or your family, and we want to show the world how you work to overcome everyday challenges and stay #StrongerThanJA! These stories are sure to resonate with others in the JA community, but we also hope to reach people outside of that community, inspiring the over 50 million adults living with arthritis as well as those who are affected in other ways through friends and family members living with the disease.

How Can You Help & Get Involved?

• Usethis linktosharehow you (or your child) is #StrongerThanJA! Write a favorite activity or goal, take a picture and send it to us atkbitner@arthritis.org.
• Tell us how JA affects you or someone you know personally using the hashtag#StrongerThanJAon social media! (Also ‘like’ our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram!)
• Visitarthritis.org/strongerthanjaand share it with family and friends to see some of the incredible stories of our JA Warriors!