Let’s face it the quality of your digestive system is not generally not a part of everyday conversation for most families or the context of your texts or tweets.  But about eight years ago for our family the discussion came out of the closet and was front and center for more than two years. 

 

Subliminal hint: this is serious health issue

 

My son and Lauren’s brother Jason had a bowel problem, plain and simple there was something seriously wrong when a 16-year-old athlete, a lover of baseball with serious dreams of college ball can’t compete in a game due to an over-active bowel and stomach pain.

 

How did this start, where did it come from? The doctors couldn’t tell us. Was it Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s? They couldn’t confirm. What is the cure? We try this then we try that… then we try surgery.

 

For anyone reading this who has a friend, family member or co-worker maybe you recall regular hospital visits, sudden absences at work, or often-unexplained stomach aches.  They may be experiencing an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) flare-up due to Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s disease.  

 

Jason spent his 16^th year at Children’s Hospital in Washington, DC; even at 16 they still consider the body at the adolescent stage of care rather than adult care.  His first stay was 30 days long, he spent his birthday there, followed by many more multiple week ‘vacations’ as his bowel continued to flare-up even though he was on high levels of steroids and then Remicade treatments.  Finally, Jason at the age of 18 determined his future as an adult and he choose surgery to remove his large intestine. 

 

Subliminal hint: We are seeking donations to assist in funding research for a cure

 

There is no cure for the IBD diseases, some treatments are successful for some and for others not, ulcerative colitis may affect any age group, although there are peaks at ages 15 - 30 and then again at ages 50 - 70. 

 

It has been estimated that these diseases currently affect some 1.4 million Americans with 30,000 new cases each year. These disease are debilitating and much more prevalent than you realize. Every single person in America probably knows at least one person that suffers from one of these diseases; unfortunately, the symptoms can often be embarrassing causing many sufferers to keep their pains a secret.  

 

I am very proud of Jason and the courage he has shown in actively battling his disease; the fight is not over, it continues every day for Jason, our family and millions of other sufferers. To find out more about Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, please visit CCFA.org but before you leave us, please consider a donation…

 

Because of our personal experience we have partnered with Team Challenge to run a half-marathon (really, no kidding, it is true!) in December to help raise money for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.  The foundation works to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases.

 

Please help us to give back by donating to support this cause. Lauren and I are working together with endurance training for the half-marathon and to fund raise. Our current goal is $7200 but we are hopeful that with your help we will exceed that number and lead TeamChallenge to the finish line for a cure.

 

Every little and big bit helps, whether it's $1 or $100.  Please consider giving to whatever extent possible. Top Contributor thank you gift, dog sitting for a week! Think of us as your vacation destination for your dog(s) when you next go on vacation and it is tax-deductible too!

 

Like us on our Facebook and follow #CCFA on Twitter and cheer us on as we run and probably walk our way through the endurance training and onto the marathon.