As many of you know, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis at age 10. Over the past 20 years I've learned to live an active and healthy life with only minor distraction caused by this chronic condition. I'm one of the lucky ones. Many people with Ulcerative Colitis or Crohns live with significant complications.
I've agreed to run a half marathon to raise awareness and money for research leading to improved treatment options and a cure for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. I'm doing this because it is a disease that affects more people than you would think and can have a devastating effect on their quality of life. I'm doing this because I could never contribute enough to CCFA alone, but if everyone I know donates a few dollars we can collectively donate a staggering amount. I'm doing this because I'm tired of people I know being embarrased about having Crohns or Ulcerative Colitis.
The half marathon will occur on the 6th of December, 2009 in Las Vegas. I have committed to a training schedule with additional trainings with my team on the weekends, and I’ve promised to raise $5,000 in donations to The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. Please help me and the 1.4 million Americans with IBD by giving generously. No amount is too small or too big, =].
A minimum of 82 cents per dollar raised by CCFA goes directly to research and patient support, and your contribution is tax deductible. If your company matches charitable contributions, please include matching forms with your donation.
I'll be blogging throughout the training process, right up until racetime. You can visit my blog here: run.timothyjordan.com.
About Crohn's and Colitis
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are collectively known as inflammatory bowel diseases. Crohn's disease is a chronic (ongoing) disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Ulcerative colitis on the other hand, affects only the colon. The inflammation involves the entire rectum and extends up the colon in a continuous manner.
It is estimated that as many as 1.4 million Americans have IBD; however, many more suffer in silence due to potential embarrassment and alienation. Crohn's disease may occur in people of all ages, but it is primarily a disease of adolescents and young adults, affecting mainly those between 15 and 35. On average, people are diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in their mid-30s, although the disease can occur at any age.
About the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA)
The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding the cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It was founded in 1967 by Irwin M. and Suzanne Rosenthal, William D. and Shelby Modell, and Henry D. Janowitz, M.D.
Four decades ago, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation created the field of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis research. Today, the Foundation funds cutting-edge studies at major medical institutions, nurtures investigators at the early stages of their careers, and finances underdeveloped areas of research. Educational workshops and symposia, together with our scientific journal, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, enable medical professionals to keep pace with this rapidly growing field. No wonder the National Institutes of Health has commended the Foundation for "uniting the research community and strengthening IBD research." | 
