About Us
Take a Pain Check began as a podcast in March 2021, founded by Natasha Trehan after her own experience growing up with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Diagnosed at 13, Natasha initially struggled to find resources and connect with other young people who understood what she was going through. After joining a support group two years into her journey and meeting other youth with similar experiences, she launched the Take a Pain Check Podcast to help young patients feel less alone and supported throughout every stage of their journey. As the podcast’s community grew, Take a Pain Check became a non-profit foundation in October 2021. Today, Take a Pain Check Foundation supports thousands of youth and young adults affected by rheumatic diseases through education, advocacy, peer connection, digital content, and community-based initiatives.
The podcast features conversations with patients, caregivers, friends, researchers, healthcare professionals, and advocates about chronic illness, relationships, mental health, accomplishments, lifestyle, healthcare experiences, and more. Through the podcast and its broader programming, Take a Pain Check creates opportunities for young people to see their experiences represented, connect with others, and develop the confidence to advocate for their health. Natasha completed her undergraduate degree in Translational and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa in 2025 and is now a medical student at Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine. Her journey as both a patient and future physician continues to shape the Foundation’s commitment to building a community where young people with rheumatic diseases feel informed, empowered, supported, and understood.
Natasha Trehan
Founder, Executive Director
Our Mission:
Take a Pain Check Foundation (TAPC) is a global, youth-led nonprofit dedicated to empowering, educating, supporting, and advocating for young people with rheumatic diseases. We strive to raise awareness, promote resilience, and improve quality of life by amplifying lived experiences and providing accessible programs, leadership opportunities, and inclusive peer support.
Through education, advocacy, content creation and digital outreach, we equip youth with the knowledge, tools, and community they need to navigate their healthcare journey and create lasting change.
Our Vision:
Every young person with a rheumatic disease deserves to feel seen, heard, and supported. We aim to build a future where youth are active partners in their care, where healthcare systems value lived experience, and where access to education, resources, and support is equitable and inclusive.
Take a Pain Check Foundation envisions a connected global community led by young people, driving change through advocacy, education, content creation, and collaboration. By working alongside hospitals, researchers, and institutions, we are expanding the reach of youth-led voices and creating meaningful, lasting impact in the rheumatology space.
Meet the Team
Our amazing volunteers that work behind the scenes to keep the podcast and organization running smoothly!
Management Team
Maggie Douglas
Global Development Lead
Dr. Natalia Trehan
Healthcare Lead
Kaitlyn Flanagan
Strategy and Innovation Lead
Likam Kyanzaire
Program and Grants Manager
Executive Team
Anju Scaria
HR Coordinator
Dhruv Vallath
HR Coordinator
Klaudia Ivancic
Outreach and Events Coordinator
Aadam Lakhani
Finance Coordinator
Kyle Brooks
IT Coordinator
Gabrielle Hoofatt
Outreach and Events Coordinator
Ansh Somaiya
Marketing Coordinator
Rob Cameron
IT Coordinator
Halimo Daher
Outreach and Events Coordinator
Nikhil Trehan
Partnerships Coordinator
Liam McQuay
Sponsorship and Grants Coordinator
Elyse Da Costa
Outreach and Events Coordinator
Gaby Sraka
Youth and Young Adult Ambassador Coordinator
Iliana Columbie
HR Coordinator
The TAPC Team at our 2025 in person event
Where in The World is Our Team?
Check out where our team is located on the map below!
Privacy Notice
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We collect personal information that you choose to provide through our website, such as your name, email address, and any details you submit through forms, donations, registrations, or newsletter sign-ups.
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We use this information to respond to inquiries, provide services, send updates, and improve our website and programs. We may also collect limited technical information, such as IP address, browser type, and pages visited, to help us understand website usage and maintain security.
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We do not sell your personal information, and we only share it with trusted service providers or where required by law. By using our website, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this notice.
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Take a Pain Check Foundations’ website may use cookies, analytics tools, and similar technologies to support functionality, security, traffic measurement, and user experience.
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Take a Pain Check Foundation may collect limited technical information automatically when individuals visit the website, including IP address, browser type, operating system, pages viewed, date and time of visit, and referral source.
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Where online tools are used to collect personal information (i.e., newsletter sign-up), Take a Pain Check Foundation will make reasonable efforts to explain the purposes for collection and provide meaningful privacy information in a clear and accessible way.
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Take a Pain Check Foundation will limit the collection and sharing of youth-related or sensitive information to what is reasonably necessary for safeguarding, service delivery, accommodations, evaluation, and legal compliance.
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If our website includes images, testimonials, or stories, we aim to use them with appropriate permission and for the purposes for which consent was given. If you believe your information or image has been used in a way that should be reviewed, you may contact us using the details below.
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You may contact us to ask about the personal information we hold about you, request a correction, or raise a privacy concern. See our full Privacy Policy here.
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Privacy Officer
Likam Kyanzaire, Program Manager
Take a Pain Check Foundation
likam@takeapaincheck.com