Most of you know me either as Ralph or Stephen, perhaps Cereal Killer or maybe even Bulldog. Not everybody knows, however, that I have a touch of the Crohn's. I try not to let it slow me down, and I do not talk about it very often. I'll bet that most folks don't even know!

The thought occurred to me that I should participate in The Challenge to raise funds for The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). I hope my effort makes a difference in fighting a disease that affects so many. Its my way of saying "FU" Crohn's Disease!

To date, there is no real cure for Crohn’s disease and Colitis. They are known together as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is estimated that 1.4 million Americans have IBD, It most often affects people between the ages of 15 and 40. I won't go into the symptoms here - its painful, messy, limits your diet and keeps you near a bathroom when things are bad!

My goal of $7,500 can help a research facility in many ways - a new benchtop centrifuge to spin samples, a spectrometer to determine concentrations and purity, the list goes on. Imagine if the donation you make helps a researcher acquire the equipment that provides the key answers as to the cause and possible cure for this condition !

Please consider supporting me in this half marathon. Whatever donation you can make is greatly appreciated. You may write a check payable to CCFA (mail to me), pay by cash or you can make a secure online credit card donation to my web page.