The Arthritis Foundation Will host its 40th Anniversary Juvenile Arthritis Family Summit in St. Louis, July 11-14
This yearly event coincides with July’s Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month.
ATLANTA (July 1, 2024) — The Arthritis Foundation announces the 40th anniversary of the Juvenile Arthritis (JA) Family Summit, set to take place July 11 to 14, 2024, in St. Louis, Missouri. This annual four-day event serves as a comprehensive educational experience focusing on health, wellness and fun, bringing together families, children, teens and young adults (ages 18-30) affected by juvenile arthritis from across the country.
The 2024 Summit promises to be an enriching experience for all attendees, offering a variety of programs tailored to different age groups and interests, including:
- Education: Informative sessions for parents/caregivers, young adults and teens, as well as age-appropriate activities for children as young as six months old.
- Inclusive Programming: Siblings are invited to join in the activities, ensuring that the whole family benefits from the event.
- Networking: Registration includes six meals, fostering great opportunities for instilling community and connection among attendees.
Throughout the Family Summit, JA patients and families exchange tips about managing disease, they learn about the latest treatments and research, and they talk with health care professionals on site. Having fun and making memories are on the agenda, too. The Panda Bear Clinic is a popular session — during which young patients get their own stuffed panda bear to take to “doctor appointments” where they practice administering shots, bandages and other treatments such as MRIs.
“We look forward to bringing families together in St. Louis so they can form connections with fellow JA families and build strong educational foundations that will help their children live fulfilling lives despite the daily challenges they face living with arthritis,” said Steven Taylor, president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation. “This year’s Summit is not only a celebration of our journey together, but also a testament to the resilience and strength of the JA community.”
With hundreds of thousands of kids and teens affected by juvenile arthritis, the JA Family Summit has evolved into the Arthritis Foundation’s signature nationwide event for families impacted by juvenile arthritis and childhood rheumatic diseases. Whether longtime participants or new to the JA community, the 2024 JA Family Summit offers a unique opportunity to learn, exchange tips, make new friends and create lasting memories.
JA Family Summit is supported nationally by presenting sponsor Alpha Omicron Pi, Abbie, Kenvue, CVS Specialty and Novartis.
About the Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is fighting for all people who live with arthritis. As Champions of Yes, the Arthritis Foundation has a mission to turn the obstacles arthritis causes into opportunities. The Arthritis Foundation not only champions life-changing solutions and medical advancements, it also provides ways for people to connect, break down barriers in health care and join the fight to conquer arthritis — uniting hearts, minds and resources to change the future of arthritis. To join the fight to conquer arthritis, visit arthritis.org.
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