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Dear Friends & Family, I am on an exciting and challenging journey this fall. I have joined Team Challenge in their efforts to find a cure for Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and other irritable bowel diseases. These painful, unpredictable, and debilitating digestive diseases impact 1.4 million American adults and children each year, with over 150,000 of those people under the age of 18. These diseases cause abdominal pain, severe and persistent diarrhea, weight loss, bleeding, fevers, joint pain and arthritis; many people require frequent hospitalizations and surgery as well as treatment for colon cancer due to the long-term effects of the disease. All of these illnesses are marked by an abnormal response by the body's immune system. The immune system is composed of various cells and proteins. Normally, these protect the body from infection. In people with these diseases, however, the immune system reacts inappropriately. Mistaking food, bacteria, and other materials in the intestine for foreign or invading substances, it launches an attack. In the process, the body sends white blood cells into the lining of the intestines, where they produce chronic inflammation. These cells then generate harmful products that ultimately lead to ulcerations and bowel injury. By joining Team Challenge I am committing to completing the Las Vegas Rock-n-Roll Half marathon on December 5th, 2010. I am currently participating in a 16 week training program which will prepare me to finish the 13.1 mile race. The training program is a challenge but one well worth the effort as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis affect two people who are very important in my life. Tammy has ulcerative colitis, a chronic disease that impacts the colon and its lining often causing severe ulceration of this lining which results in bleeding, severe abdominal pain and cramping, uncontrollable and unpredictable diarrhea, and possible rupture of the colon’s lining. She was diagnosed with UC just this past summer and it was very tough. The bleeding caused her to be severely anemic, resulting in blood transfusions and a couple of visits to the hospital. She was allergic to one of the drugs, mesalamine, that they were treating her with and she was very sick for several weeks before they figured out what the problem was. I don’t think I understood how badly this can affect a person suffering from this disease until I found out that Tammy, an accomplished triathlete, didn’t have the energy to even vacuum her own living room. I want to make a difference in the lives of people suffering from these diseases through having people sponsor me as I train and complete the half marathon. By raising money I will be supporting the mission of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) which is “to cure Crohn’s disease and colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases.” With 8 weeks down and 5 more to go I need your help in reaching my fundraising goal of $4,000. Every step I take towards reaching that goal will help the lives of those affected by these diseases because 80% of the money I raise goes towards research in support of the CCFA’s mission. You can help me reach that goal by making a donation before my deadline of October 31rst, 2010. All donations are tax deductible and you will receive a receipt. Compared to other foundations devoted to finding cures for diseases, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation is not nearly as well-funded per patient suffering. Organization Number of Patients Gross Revenue $ Raised per Patient Crohn's & Colitis Foundation 1,400,000 $42,850 million $30.61 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 894,543 $277,084 million $309.75 Multiple Sclerosis Society 400,000 $233,386 million $583.47 Please support me on my personal journey of completing a half marathon as well as helping to better the lives of Tammy and the other 1.4 million Americans diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis. I sincerely thank you for all of your generosity and support. I know that together we can find a cure, Here is how each donation makes a difference…. $30 provides a one year CCFA membership to someone in need $50 provides educational brochures for 375 patients $100 funds a month of Information Resource Center translation services for all patients $300 supports a Camp Oasis camper in need for one day $500 covers six months of unlimited online chat support with Patient Information Specialists $1000 will open doors to over 20,000 patients who receive our Bathroom Access card $2500 sends a child with IBD to Camp Oasis for one week

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