Toronto, Ontario –  A vast majority of Canadians are not aware of one of the most common chronic childhood diseases, juvenile arthritis (JA), according to a recent national survey commissioned by The Arthritis Society. The Ipsos Reid survey revealed that 80 per cent of respondents, including parents with children below the age of 16, are unfamiliar with the disease. Juvenile arthritis affects 1 in 1,000 Canadian children.

“Life is different and harder for children with arthritis. They have daily struggles that other kids don't have to face,” notes Dr. Brian Feldman , Vice Chair of The Arthritis Society's Medical Advisory Committee and head of the division of rheumatology at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto . “Children with arthritis often have to miss school and recreational activities because of their many medical visits. In addition to dealing with the sometimes excruciating physical effects of the disease, missing out on these activities can impact children emotionally. Some children with severe forms of juvenile arthritis may require surgery on their joints. Finding a cure is imperative; no child should have to go through this.”

Juvenile arthritis results from the malfunctioning of the body's immune system. The immune system fails to recognize healthy body tissue and attacks it. Symptoms include intense pain and inflammation of the joints , which can make activities that most children take for granted – buttoning clothing, playing sports or carrying books to school – difficult to perform. Depending on the severity of the arthritis, some children experience irregular growth or physical disability. Most of these symptoms are not recognized or understood. In fact, according to the national survey, 34 per cent believe that the only side effect of juvenile arthritis is painful, achy joints.

Gary Sage has seen first hand the impact juvenile arthritis can have on a young child. Ten years ago, his then five-year-old son, Geoff, was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. Like many other Canadians, the Sage family was not aware that arthritis could affect people at such a young age. At first, they thought their son was having ‘growing pains'. However, after Geoff continued to complain about hurting bones and had difficulty sleeping, his family pursued the proper diagnosis.

It took two months, many trips to the hospital and a series of tests before Geoff, who is now 15, was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. Since his diagnosis, he has endured more than 200 hospital visits and is currently waiting to have his second hip-replacement surgery.

“It's really difficult to explain how this disease has impacted Geoff's life because everything looks fine on the outside,” explains Gary. “Very few understand that arthritis can affect young people. The disease has taken away my son's ability to live life like most 15-year-old kids. Geoff cannot ride a bike, play football or even put on his own socks most days. I am hopeful that one day, with commitment and dedication towards research and finding a cure, children with juvenile arthritis will be able to have access to the best treatments and will have a chance at experiencing remission.”

Though there are other Canadian families who are all too familiar with the struggles of juvenile arthritis, there remains a troubling gap in disease awareness and support.

“As this new survey indicates, the debilitating pain experienced by thousands of Canadian children with arthritis, and the emotional and financial toll this takes on their loved ones, goes largely unnoticed in the public arena,” says Steven McNair , President and CEO of The Arthritis Society. “We are using Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month in March as a wake-up call. Until Canadians sit up and take notice of this disease, there won't be a perceived need to address this major children's health issue.”

For everyone affected by arthritis – a child with juvenile arthritis, the parents and siblings of a child with JA or an adult who is still living with JA – The Arthritis Society can help. The toll-free Arthritis Information Line (1.800.321.1433) and website at www.arthritis.ca provide useful information, resources and support. On March 27, 2010 The Arthritis Society is offering a free webinar discussing the Advances in Juvenile Arthritis.