Abby S Army

Abby’s Army provides financial assistance to families of children diagnosed with a rheumatic disease receiving care at partnering pediatric rheumatology centers and funds programs that ensure these children and their families have the tools and resources they need to navigate treatment and connect with other families. Having a child diagnosed with a rheumatic disease can feel isolating and overwhelming. Treatment includes expensive medications. Many of the medications cost thousands of dollars a year even after insurance. The financial burden of the disease is made even greater by work missed due to appointments, flares, and illnesses caused by the medications that work by suppressing the immune system. Many families have to travel to another state to reach the closest pediatric rheumatologist, requiring more missed work and travel expenses. Abby’s Army eases some of the financial burden for these families so they can focus on their children. Partnering pediatric rheumatology centers identify families in need and submit applications for financial assistance or use our Travel Fund ensure families can access the care their children need. Abby’s Army also provides funds to the Pediatric Rheumatology Care and Outcome Improvement Network (PR-COIN) to improve outcomes of children diagnosed with juvenile arthritis and provide tools to help families manage the disease; and to the Arthritis Foundation to help fund juvenile arthritis related programs like their JA camps and JA Family Summit.