Community Based Resources for Children with Arthritis

A common misconception is that arthritis only affects adults. Although about 24,000 Canadian children are currently living with some form of arthritis. Here are some resources for children who are currently living with arthritis.

Resource	Information	Website
Childhood Arthritis Backpack Program	This program by the arthritis society provides children with a backpack voucher that is available from their paediatric rheumatologists and/ or rheumatology clinics	https://arthritis.ca/support-education/support-for-childhood-arthritis#backpack
Medkidz	Provides online comic books to help children understand various diseases states (from asthma and allergies to diabetes, rheumatology and mental health)	https://www.jumohealth.com/conditions
Arthritis Camps (Camp Cambria)	Camp in Ontario for children with pediatric arthritis.	https://arthritis.ca/get-involved/participate/find-an-event-near-you/events/camp-cambria
UCBeyond Scholarship program	Scholarship program that is available for children or young adults diagnosed with diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis. The scholarship is valued at $5000 there are ~8 scholarships awarded each year. Applications are typically due in the Spring of each year	http://www.ucbeyond.ca/about.html
Project THRIVE	Half day event organized by the arthritis society that helps to support families affected by childhood arthritis, teaching children how to THRIVE with arthritis, teaching siblings what it is like to live with arthritis and encourages children to meet other children with arthritis	https://arthritis.ca/get-involved/participate/find-an-event-near-you/events/educational-events/on/march/project-thrive-hamilton

Brittany Cook is a 4th year pharmacy student completing one of her final rotations at Charlton Health. During her schooling has been extensively involved in arthritis care. She has participated in pharmacy practice research and is the recipient of various awards and scholarships.

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