Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Australia (JAFA)

Juvenile arthritis is under-recognised, under-served and under-funded.

Kids with arthritis deserve better!

You can help change the lives of Australian children living with juvenile arthritis, a painful and debilitating autoimmune disease.

Your generous support, in whatever form, will help children with juvenile arthritis. 

Did you know...?

You are never too young to have arthritis

Juvenile arthritis (JA) and childhood rheumatic diseases are a group of painful, incurable, inflammatory, autoimmune conditions affecting the joints, eyes and, in some cases, the skin, muscles and internal organs.

Up to 10,000 Australian children are living with JA.

Little to no awareness yet the prevalence of juvenile arthritis is similar to other serious childhood diseases such as type one diabetes and epilepsy and around 6 times more common than cystic fibrosis.

80% of children with juvenile arthritis experience pain on a daily basis. This means lost educational opportunities, limited participation in sport, play and social activities.

1 in 5 children with juvenile arthritis develop a serious inflammation of the eyes (uveitis). This can cause visual loss up to and including blindness.

30,000 people in Australia whose juvenile arthritis extended into adulthood. 50% will have active disease as adults and 1 in 3 has a severe disability.

It can take years to diagnose. Earlier diagnosis would reduce pain, joint deformities and loss of vision.

Your support contributes to:

• Early Diagnosis Campaigns to ensure rapid access to effective treatment and reduce pain and long-term disability in children with arthritis.
• Vital Research Funding to better understand and combat the physical and mental impacts of juvenile arthritis; improve treatment methods, and ultimately find a cure.
• Political Advocacy for sustainable systems change to ensure optimal access to the right services in the right place and the right medications at the right time for all children with arthritis no matter who they are or where they live.
• Information and Education to support families to understand and manage the treatment and daily challenges of a life with juvenile arthritis, and to advocate effectively for their child’s and their own needs for support.
• Peer Support Programs connecting children who are socially isolated due to pain and physical limitations so they can share experiences with others like themselves, or simply hang out with someone who understands.