Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month Recap 2026

July 31st, 2026 in Arthritis, Foundation, General News

Arthritis, AOII’s international philanthropy, is the leading cause of disability in the United States. Since 1968, AOII has proudly been partnering with the Arthritis Foundation (AF).

July is Juvenile Arthritis (JA) Awareness Month, a dedicated time every summer poised to elevate awareness about this and other childhood rheumatic diseases. Together with the JA community and partners like AOII, the Arthritis Foundation shines an even brighter light on the challenges of JA and the hundreds of thousands of kids in the U.S. and Canada who live with it.

Juvenile arthritis refers to rheumatic diseases in children aged 16 and younger. These diseases have many distinctions from adult forms of the diseases and are treated differently than in adults. They can affect not only joints ,but also skin, eyes, and internal organs. Getting a diagnosis can be scary, but effective treatments are available.The most common is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA, previously known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis). Others include juvenile psoriatic arthritis, pediatric lupus and a number of others.

The goal of JA Awareness Month is to raise awareness that kids get arthritis, too. Most people are surprised to learn that arthritis isn’t “just an old person’s disease” and can affect children as young as just a few months old.

As we round out the month, we want to highlight some examples of how AOII supports the fight against JA.

Fundraising Efforts

Thanks to the extraordinary fundraising efforts of our collegiate and alumnae chapters across the country, AOII has awarded $1,061,940 in arthritis-related grants for 2026–2027. For the third time in the past four years, the Arthritis Foundation will receive $1 million in grant funding to support programs serving children, families, and patients navigating juvenile arthritis and related conditions. The remaining funds support other arthritis-related causes. Together, we are continuing AOII’s legacy of advancing care, education, and innovation for everyone affected by arthritis.

This year’s $1 million grant to the Arthritis Foundation will support JA Camps and the JA Counselor-in-Training Program, JA Family Summit, JA Power Packs — including expanded Spanish-language resources, Juvenile Arthritis Patient Education and Empowerment, the PIKASO Research Initiative, and the 24/7 Arthritis Helpline.

Thank you to every AOII collegiate and alumnae chapter whose generosity made these grants possible. Your dedication transforms compassion into action and creates meaningful change for children, families, researchers, and communities.

JA Family Summit 2026

The annual JA Family Summit is the Arthritis Foundation’s signature, nationwide event for families affected by juvenile arthritis and childhood rheumatic diseases. This four-day educational summit focuses on health, wellness and fun for families, children/teens (ages 6 months and up) and young adults (ages 18-25) affected by JA and related childhood rheumatic diseases. We bring together kids, parents, siblings, young adults, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and other specialists, to connect, exchange stories, and gain knowledge.

This event offers an opportunity for parents to learn more about JA, raising a child with a chronic disease, and its impact on the family. Children learn more about their disease, how to take care of themselves, and realize that they are not alone while making lasting connections. Teens and young adults also receive tools to assist with their transition into adulthood. The overarching goals of JA Family Summit are to provide educational programming and opportunities for connections to kids, teens ,and young adults with arthritis, along with their families. Throughout the Summit, kids and teens sessions are grouped by age, with age-appropriate activities planned for each. Additionally, AOII presented more than 800 plush pandas to all children and youth attending the 2026 JA Family Summit Panda Clinic, as well as to all 2026 JA Camp participants, to practice taking care of their own little patient with arthritis. With the help of amazing healthcare professionals, kids get to practice exams, give pretend medical treatments, and learn more about their own care. This is just one way our chapters’ fundraising makes a real difference for kids and their families. Stay tuned for coverage from this year’s Family Summit later this month!

Stories of Impact

Throughout the month of July, AOII and the AOII Foundation have shared stories of impact from those affected by arthritis, including some from our own members.

Summer Langham, Gamma Delta (U of South Alabama)

Summer Langham entered recruitment at the University of South Alabama with the same goal as most potential new members (PNMs) — to make meaningful connections. However, her personal connection to our international philanthropy was what made AOII feel like home.

Summer was formally diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at 16 after undergoing treatment for an abnormally large osteoid osteoma — a noncancerous bone tumor — in her left leg. Today, arthritis affects both of her knees and is gradually spreading to her hips, making even routine activities a challenge. And as a collegiate member on a walkable campus, the physical demands of everyday life can be exhausting. Walking across campus for classes, meetings, and events often requires pushing through chronic pain that many people her age never have to consider, particularly in a city as hot and humid as Mobile, Alabama, where South Alabama is located.

Even more than the physical pain of arthritis, Summer admitted that one of the hardest part of living with this condition was feeling misunderstood. Because arthritis is commonly associated with older adults, many people are surprised to learn that children, teenagers and young adults can develop the disease as well.

Thankfully, for both Summer and AOII, she connected with the members of Gamma Delta and not only felt welcomed, but felt seen.

“When I walked in as a potential new member (PNM) on Philanthropy Day, hearing so many girls seem genuinely interested in arthritis and understand my pain was so heartwarming,” Summer recalled. “Most people don’t realize the genuine pain behind arthritis because of its commonality in adults. However, children and young adults have it, too. To have a group of girls who are dedicated to learning about my disorder and helping others like me is inspiring.”

Learn more about Summer’s story in an upcoming issue of To Dragma set to hit mailboxes in September!

The Binkley Family

It’s not often that someone is so moved by a Greek organization’s philanthropy that they choose to donate without being a member or knowing someone who is affiliated. But that’s exactly what Alan Binkley did after his son, Dean, who lives with JA, did more than 10 years ago.

The Binkley family received a JA Power Pack at that time, a program AOII is honored to continue today providing crucial resources for children with juvenile arthritis and their families. Power Packs include these items:

Parent’s Guide: Offering advice on treatments, medications, and living fully with JA
Informational Brochures: Educating teachers and school staff on supporting a child with JA
Hot or Cold Relief: Warmies bear that can be heated or cooled for pain relief, or a soothing wrap
Books for Kids & Teens: Fun and helpful guides to understanding and managing JA
A stuffed panda bear to practice arthritis care on

“I think for Dean it was a nice distraction to receive the [Power Packs] as a gift out of the blue,” Alan recalled. “But for my wife and I, we were impressed by the thoughtfulness and impact from receiving a bear that you could heat or cool for pain management. It surprised me that a group/charity would support us out of the blue. I decided that day to pay for that power pack and maybe a few others to pay it forward.”

Today, Dean is doing well and managing his arthritic pain. According to his dad, Alan, he has some shoulder issues from swimming and they monitor his jaw as that has damage, but otherwise he is living fairly normally.

The Binkley family remains committed to raising awareness about JA and working with organizations like the Arthritis Foundation to find a cure. They attend most events hosted by the Arthritis Foundation in their area and plan to continue giving.

We are so thankful for members like Summer and AOII Foundation donors like Alan who work with us here at AOII to combat arthritis and who are willing to share their stories of impact. AOII is proud to partner with the Arthritis Foundation and is committed to raising arthritis awareness and fighting for a cure. Thank you, again, to our alumnae and collegiate chapters for making so much of this possible.