As JAFA celebrates its fifth birthday, it is honoured to welcome Her Excellency, the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia as its Patron.

JAFA’s Founder, Ruth Colagiuri, said: “The Governor General’s patronage will be invaluable in raising awareness of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and related childhood rheumatic diseases (CRDs) to new levels. It also recognises the families who are so heavily impacted by these historically neglected diseases, and acknowledges and rewards the remarkable advances JAFA has made since its incorporation as a registered charity for JIA and CRDs five years ago.”

JAFA’s Chair, Andrew Harrison added: “We are deeply grateful to The Governor General, and to everyone who has supported JAFA since its inception in December 2019. Those efforts have been rewarded with welcome signs that Australian governments are increasingly hearing and heeding our political advocacy. In particular, JAFA is indebted to its donors, volunteers, pro bono advisors, and the professional rheumatology community for their support over the past 5 years”.

JAFA is delighted to have Her Excellency, Ms Mostyn as our patron and, over the coming 5 years and beyond, will work with renewed vigour to achieve earlier diagnosis, ensure nationally consistent access to best practice treatment and care, and support and foster research to reduce the physical, mental, social, educational and economic burden of JIA and related CRDs on affected children, young people and their families.

Our sincere thanks to the Governor General, Her Excellency, Ms Sam Mostyn AC on becoming JAFA’s patron.

You can find out more about the Governor General here.