Don't Give Up

Be sure to never give up

“Don’t Give Up” is the positive message to children and young people living with arthritis in a new campaign featuring one of Ireland's top camogie players, Niamh Rockett, and Cork student Mary O'Donovan.

The campaign highlights the importance of physical activity and mental wellbeing in living with a chronic condition.

Some 1,200 children and young people have juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in Ireland. JIA is an autoimmune condition and can cause swollen and painful joints, impaired coordination, fatigue, high fever, rashes, and can also affect other organs, including the eyes.

It is important for children and young people with juvenile arthritis to keep active, and to keep their joints and whole body healthy. Physical activity helps to develop muscles to support their joints.

“It’s shocking to hear of children living with the pain, fatigue and destruction of arthritis. Yet, that is the reality for 1,200 kids, young people and their families in this country. It’s easy to forget too, that while we continue to wrestle with Covid-19, that the daily challenge of living with juvenile arthritis persists.”

- Gráinne O’Leary, chief executive, Arthritis Ireland

Call the Arthritis Ireland helpline
0818 252 846

Email the Arthritis Ireland helpline

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Note: The video for this campaign was filmed prior to Covid-19.

Don't Give Up is supported by AbbVie. 

  • Niamh's Story

    Niamh Rockett was only 16 when she was diagnosed with arthritis. One of the best camogie players in the country, she was told she would be in a wheelchair by the time she was 30. Read more

  • Mary's Story

    Mary O'Donovan was only 13 when she was diagnosed with arthritis. She discovered a rash and had a bad temperature at nights. Read more