Juvenile Arthritis Research Launches New Awareness Month in March for childhood arthritis: JAMJAR

Juvenile Arthritis Research are launching the UK’s first ever Juvenile Arthritis Month in March. It will be known as JAMJAR (Juvenile Arthritis Month by Juvenile Arthritis Research) and will raise awareness of the thousands of children living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) in the UK.

‘Arthritis’ is still a word that is mainly associated with the elderly, and a lack of awareness that babies, children and young people can get arthritis is a leading cause of delays in diagnosis.

“With improved awareness, we hope to see diagnosis happening earlier and treatment starting sooner. Whilst there is no cure for JIA, we know that prompt treatment can help prevent permanent disability and lead to better outcomes for children and young people with the condition” explains Richard Beesley, Juvenile Arthritis Research’s Founder.

Juvenile Arthritis Research will be raising awareness through a month-long campaign around the theme of empowerment. When JIA is diagnosed promptly and treated effectively, children can go on to lead full lives. Juvenile Arthritis Research will be highlighting the incredible things that children and young people with JIA achieve despite the challenges of living with their condition.

Whether it is sports, arts, music, writing or any other passion, children and young people will be encouraged to showcase their talents whilst raising awareness at the same time with Juvenile Arthritis Research’s simple but powerful campaign - #MoreThanMyArthritis

A diagnosis of JIA is for life, so a child with JIA will become an adult with JIA – the term ‘Juvenile’ refers to the age of onset of symptoms being before the age of 16. It is vital for those with JIA as well as GPs and other health professionals to understand this so that people get the right treatment throughout their lives.

JAMJAR is an important opportunity to raise awareness, educate and empower. By raising awareness and improving understanding, together we are reducing the stigma and isolation experienced by many children and young people with arthritis because we’ll be letting the world know that children get arthritis too!

Find out more at www.jarproject.org/jamjar