Christmas charity album raises awareness of arthritis

Did you know that 12,000 children across the UK live with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)? This is a type of autoimmune inflammatory arthritis that occurs in people under the age of 16. 

Linzie, 39, was diagnosed with the condition when she was just 18 months’ old, and her five-year-old daughter, Mia, was diagnosed on Christmas eve in 2019.  

Even though they spent the holidays in hospital, this hasn’t dampened their Christmas spirit.  

In fact, this year Linzie has launched a magical Christmas album, packed with all your favourite Christmas tunes. Plus, every penny in profit will fund our ground-breaking research, as well as our essential services that support people with arthritis.  

What better way to celebrate the holidays and give to a good cause? 

A Christmas album for a good cause  

Linzie’s album is filled with heart-warming performances of Christmas classics, as well as “an original song about Mia, about just how proud of her we are and how strong she is.” 

“Christmas is quite poignant for us as Mia was diagnosed at Christmas time back in 2019,” says Linzie.

“Mia was in hospital from 22nd December until Christmas Eve. Then we had to go back for day visits on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.  

“This hasn’t dampened our love for Christmas though. I just try to make each one better every year and with the album being released this year, I have a feeling this will be the best one yet!” 

Raising awareness of JIA  

There’s a lot of myths and misconceptions about JIA – and, through her Christmas album, Linzie wants to tackle them head on.  

“The most common reply I get from anyone when I tell them that I or Mia have arthritis is ‘but aren’t you too young to have that?’ or ‘but isn’t that an old person’s disease?’  

“Not only is it the JIA itself you have to live with, but it’s also the complications like uveitis, the medications, the fatigue and how it effects young people’s lives. They already have enough to deal with let alone this too.” 

Uveitis is an eye condition that’s often associated with JIA. It can cause eye pain, redness, and blurry vision.  

JIA symptoms and diagnosis  

Linzie was diagnosed with JIA when she was a child. But she says she “still struggles with a lot of pain [in her] wrist, my fingers, my knees…especially my knees which just give way sometimes, randomly, and are very painful.” 

After her daughter Mia was born, Linzie noticed she was having difficulty crawling. She was also diagnosed with JIA, as well as uveitis. 

 “She's been through quite a lot bless her," says Linzie.

"Her joints are under control and have been for a while. She was on the biologic medicine, etanercept, and methotrexate.”

“She knows that she has poorly joints. Sometimes we have to explain to her about the injections. That it's a magic liquid that’s going help her dance and sing and it's going to help her to play. If she doesn't take it, then she might not be able to do those things and her joints are going to hurt.” 

Learn more about JIA

Arthritis research 

Biologic drugs haven’t always been around. This ground-breaking treatment was discovered thanks in part to our research – and the support of people like you.  

However, these drugs don’t work for everyone. Linzie says she is “really struggling with her treatment at the moment” - and there are millions of people, like her, who need a treatment that will lessen their daily struggle with pain. 

Over the last two decades, Versus Arthritis has invested over £500 million into medical research and has been at the forefront of some of the most important advances in arthritis treatment, including treatment for JIA.  

However, far more needs to be done. We will continue to fund the research that will ensure more people can receive a timely diagnosis, provide more treatment options, and enable everyone to better manage their condition.  

We won’t rest until everyone with arthritis has access to the treatments and support they need, with real hope of a cure in the future. 

Will you support us?