Today, almost 1,000 kids, teens, young adults and their families from across the country are joining together in the Hoosier state for the second of two national Juvenile Arthritis (JA) Conferences the Arthritis Foundation is hosting this year. The JA Conference is a unique opportunity to connect families, kids, teens and young adults affected by JA and related childhood rheumatic diseases who spend the weekend networking, learning, sharing tips and forming bonds that can last a lifetime.
Today, kids, teens, young adults and their families from across the country are landing in Houston, Texas, for the first of two national Juvenile Arthritis (JA) Conferences the Arthritis Foundation is hosting this year. The JA Conference is a unique opportunity to connect families, kids, teens and young adults affected by JA and other rheumatic diseases who spend the weekend networking, learning, sharing tips and forming bonds that can last a lifetime.
As we prepare for the 2017 National Juvenile Arthritis Conferences, here are five things to know from our Conference Chair, Katy Carter, if you’re getting ready to join us this summer!
Calling All JA Warriors!
With the theme of the 2017 JA Conference being JA Warriors, we want to know how YOU are #StrongerThanJA! We are JA Warriors. Every day, we deal with the challenges of juvenile arthritis. While our situations are unique, we’re in this together. Bold, brave and bright. Battling whatever gets in our way and celebrating our victories. As JA Warriors, we stick together, determined to win the fight against JA.
What makes you stronger than arthritis? We asked this question to the kids, siblings, parents and caregivers that attended this year’s National Juvenile Arthritis Conference this summer. We know that any victory is worth celebrating, whether it is being able to tie your shoes in the morning or walking the Walk to Cure Arthritis course. Sometimes it’s not a physical feat that is accomplished, but being able to attend school more or finding a new passion for music and art. Continue reading JA Conference Teens Shares Stories of Being Stronger Than Arthritis→
From the San Francisco bay to the shores of Boston, Massachusetts, over 1,000 children and their families, young adults and health care professionals descended upon the desert of Phoenix, Arizona for the 32nd Annual National Juvenile Arthritis Conference. The first of two JA Conferences this year hosted by the Arthritis Foundation brought together first time attendees and veteran families who have returned to the annual conference. Continue reading 2016 Juvenile Arthritis Conference West a Success!→
Today, families from around the nation are gathering in Phoenix, AZ, for our JA Conference WEST – the first of two national Juvenile Arthritis (JA) Conferences we are hosting this year. These two conferences give families, kids, teens and young adults affected by JA and other rheumatic diseases an opportunity to share time connecting, learning, sharing tips and forming bonds that can last a lifetime. Continue reading First of Two 2016 JA Conferences Begins Today!→
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! Continue reading July Is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month→
On two long weekends in July and August, families will descend on the desert in Phoenix, Arizona and the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the 2016 National Juvenile Arthritis Conferences. The JA Conference is an unforgettable annual family event, where more than 2,000 kids, teens, young adults, siblings, parents and caretakers come together to meet, learn and play.
Stay Connected!
Visit and bookmark our Things You Should Know page, where information about the JA Conference will be updated!
Learn more and sign up for the inaugural Parent Buddy Program, where families that are new to the conference will be paired up with veteran families.
Get in the spirit by participating in Conference Theme days! Learn more about what to pack to represent your home state and Walk to Cure Arthritis or Jingle Bell Run team!
Save time on Opening Night by filling out consent forms for your children or teens.
Tag us in your posts with #StrongerThanJA – we will be sharing posts with that hashtag on the big screen at the conference – we want to see your faces and stories there!
Highlights of the 2015 Juvenile Arthritis Conference
Check out some of the great moments from last year’s JA Conference below!