Donate Now

Natasha’s Story

ARTHRITIS RESEARCH IN ACTION I was 13-years-old when I was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

I didn’t know any other kids like me.

The next few years were really hard. My feet were swollen, making it challenging to walk, and the pain and swelling in my hands made it difficult to write or do my schoolwork.

During my elementary and high school years, I underwent a lot of trial and error with my medications. By the time I was 16, I’d gone through four medications and maxed out on all of the medication options for children.

At that time, I tried joint injections and had 10 joints injected at the same time – an incredibly painful experience. Thankfully, the relief from the injections lasted long enough for a new medication to take effect. Today, along with various lifestyle changes including a tailored diet, I’m doing much better.

“I recognize how critical research is to finding solutions to the challenges of a chronic disease like arthritis.”

– Natasha Trehan, Arthritis Patient Advisory Board member

Donations to Arthritis Research Canada during the holiday season will be matched dollar for dollar thanks to the Lohn Foundation. Please double your impact.

Donate Today

As a teenager, I felt very alone with my disease.

Eventually, I found a support group for youth. From there, I started my platform – a podcast and blog, as well as hosting events to ensure young people with arthritis know that they are not alone. My podcast is called Take a Pain Check and has aired over 50 episodes now, covering all kinds of topics to help support youth living with arthritis. The overall goal is for young people to know they can still achieve their dreams, despite arthritis.

Now at 19, I am a member of Arthritis Research Canada’s Patient Advisory Board and a part of a team that is working in partnership with scientists to help find answers for people living with arthritis. It is important for me to share my experience and to help raise much needed awareness for this invisible disease that now affects over 6 million Canadians, of all ages.

Over the years, I’ve taken part in numerous research studies, starting when I received my first injections. I wanted to understand what was going on with my body – to help myself and others. I recognize how critical research is to finding solutions to the challenges of a chronic disease like arthritis. 

Please help accelerate life-changing and life-saving arthritis research.

Donate Today

When Natasha’s not participating in arthritis research, she’s busy achieving her goals and advocating for other people with arthritis. 

We do arthritis research like no one else so that life doesn’t end when arthritis begins.

Donate Today

Subscribe to our newsletter

Newsletter Component #1

Name(Required)