Fighting for every child living with JIA

From diagnosis to inspiration

Elise has been living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis for years — and rather than letting the condition define her limits, she has redefined what's possible for kids with JIA.

But Elise's path to the right care was not straightforward. For over a year, her symptoms went undiagnosed and were misattributed by a number of well-meaning doctors and specialists who simply weren't seeing the full picture. It was only after being referred to a rheumatologist that the pieces began to come together — and even then, finding the right fit took time and persistence. Many families know this journey all too well: the frustration of unanswered questions, the hope and disappointment of each new appointment, and the toll it takes on a child and the people who love her.

It was when Elise's family found Dr. Ed Bahrens at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia that everything changed. With the right specialist, the right diagnosis, and the right treatment plan, Elise finally had a path forward — and she has never looked back.

"She didn't just learn to live with JIA — she learned to rise above it."

Thanks to the extraordinary care of Dr. Ed Bahrens and his world-class rheumatology team at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Elise has been able to thrive. Her journey — marked by resilience, determination, and joy — is the foundation of everything we do.

Most recently, Elise was honored as the CHOP × Philadelphia Eagles MVP — a recognition of her incredible spirit and her role as an inspiration to children everywhere living with chronic illness. She was celebrated on the field at Lincoln Financial Field, her image lighting up the Jumbotron in front of tens of thousands of Eagles fans.