Still's Disease Awareness Day 

September 7th

#StillsDay

Still's Disease Awareness Day was established for all people, patient organizations, and health service providers to celebrate those affected by Still's Disease globally.

The primary goal of this day is to increase awareness and education about Still's Disease (which includes both systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis/SJIA and Adult-Onset Still's Disease/AOSD) so we can expedite diagnosis, improve disease management, and help patients explain their disease to others. It's also a chance to help those living with Still's learn more about current research and other opportunities to better navigate their healthcare journey.

History. Still's Disease Awareness Day was established by the International Still's Disease Foundation (ISDF) in 2015 as an initiative to honor those living with Still's and to raise awareness about this disease. In 2017, the ISDF dissolved and asked our organization, AiArthritis, to house their remaining resources - which included becoming the official hosts of this day. 

Ribbon? While the ISDF began developing a disease ribbon for Still's, which included the colors red and yellow, an official ribbon was never published. After more research, AiArthritis learned some patients had designed red and black ribbons to celebrate Still's - and many others had red and black ribbon tattoos. The common color was red. So while there is not an official Still's ribbon, and we do not feel qualified to be the organization to lead such an effort, we recommend those who want to sport a ribbon on this day to use the color red as the base, then embellish it in any way they so choose. This can show that it can be unique to each individual!

Still's Disease Day Activities

Still’s Disease is a rare, multi-systemic (whole body) autoinflammatory condition that can vary from person to person. Because of a similar pathogenesis, broadly overlapping symptoms, and organ involvement, Still’s Disease represents a disease continuum that includes both Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA) and Adult-Onset Still’s Disease (AOSD). Those with onset > 16 years of age are categorized with AOSD, while those originally diagnosed with SJIA carry this diagnosis through adulthood. Onset can occur at any age, even presenting after birth. In some individuals, Still’s Disease develops suddenly, disappears almost as quickly, and may not return for many years, if ever. In others, it is a chronic condition.

Still's Disease can be difficult to diagnose for a variety of reasons. One, it often mimics an infection, which drives patients (and families if juvenile onset) to the hospital or urgent care. Since it is rare, and given the 'classic symptoms' of a salmon-colored rash, high fever, and arthritis are not present in all patients, health workers may not identify it. The disease can also present with severe organ involvement, which requires testing to rule out other conditions. Early detection and access to treatments is vital to best outcomes. For these reasons, we hope the work we do for Still's Disease Awareness Day - and year around - can improve awareness and understanding.