Hi and thanks for visiting my page! On Sunday, July 19, 2009 I will be participating in the Napa Valley Team Challenge Half Marathon on behalf of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. I have made a bold commitment to raise much needed funds to find a cure for digestive diseases.

Ulcerative Colitis is a serious, chronic illness and radical surgery is the only cure. This disease, along with Crohn's (which has no cure), affects over 1 million people in America every single day. We may think that these diseases come with "old age"- but most people are diagnosed between the ages of 18 and 30 and a large percentage are younger children. In fact, our chapter's "honored teammates" this year are a brother and sister who were diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2006- Crystal (a 9 year old little girl) and Caleb (a 10 year old little boy).

I am asking you to help by supporting my fundraising efforts with a donation. Your tax-deductible gift will make a difference in the lives of the 1.4 million patients suffering with digestive disease! You can make your donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message. Any amount, great or small, helps in the fight. I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress!