A new survey has demonstrated worryingly low levels of awareness about juvenile arthritis in Ireland.

Juvenile arthritis is a common condition that affects more than 1,000 children in Ireland, making it about as common as childhood diabetes. However, according to a new online survey of parents of children with JA, conducted by Arthritis Ireland, awareness of the disease in public life remains remarkably low with two thirds of respondents saying they had either ‘never' or ‘rarely' met somebody, who had heard of JA.

Meanwhile, 69% said the most common response they received when they tell somebody that their child has arthritis is one of surprise that someone so young could have the disease.

Susan Flavin, who has two little girls Belle (aged 7) and Evangeline (aged 3) who have JA, was one of the parents surveyed.

She said: "As a parent of 2 children with arthritis, we know the rollercoaster of emotion that parents experience from the nightmare of diagnosis, the horrible expectation of flares, to remission. Ultimately all you want for your children is for them to be healthy and to enjoy their childhood and that is what we strive for everyday. Certainly the future is uncertain but we hope for the best and encourage our girls to make the most of each day."

In order to make people more aware of JA, the public is being asked to sell Jasper pins during October, which is Juvenile Arthritis Month.

As part of its month-long campaign, Arthritis Ireland announced a series of support services, such as the JA Family Day and a new dedicated JA website.

Arthritis Ireland is urging people to help raise awareness and funds to support children with arthritis by selling Jasper pins in schools, offices and communities around the country. The little pins only cost €2 each but make a big difference in spreading the message that kids get arthritis too, while also raising funds to provide vital JA supports.

To mark JA Month 2012, the organisation is delighted to unveil a brand new website (www.juvenilearthritis.ie) dedicated to providing children, teenagers and parents with comprehensive information on JA and on the services that Arthritis Ireland provides.

The next JA Family Day, will take place on Saturday October 6 in Dublin Zoo. It will be a fun and informative event for both children and parents that is free-of-charge.

Arthritis Ireland's Head of Education and Support Services, Grainne O'Leary, said: "JA month is very important for us as it gives us the opportunity to inform the public of just how debilitating a condition juvenile arthritis really is."

All of these vital services are financed by the selling of Jasper pins around the country during autumn.

Arthritis affects one in five people in Ireland - 915,000 people nationwide. There are over 100 different types of arthritis and these can affect people of all ages from babies and toddlers right through to those in their adult years. 60% of people with arthritis are aged under 65-years-old. 

To sign up or for more information, simply contact Arthritis Ireland on (01) 6470209 or email fundraising@arthritisireland.ie.