Hi All,

I need your help. I need donations. I am running a half marathon on July 19, and I need to raise $2600. I am doing this to raise money (and awareness) for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

I have numerous friends and family members who are affected by these diseases. In 2001 one of my closest and oldest friends, Jeff, was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. He spent days in the hospital going through tests and medical procedures, and months afterward on heavy-duty drugs, infusions and other procedures. He's had to have surgery to remove part of his small intestine. Jeff is one of my dearest friends, and he will have Crohn's disease for the rest of his life. He still deals with it daily.

A close friend from college named Jessica was forced to leave her service in the Peace Corps because she was diagnosed with and suffering from Colitis. My close friend and co-worker Jeremy deals with Crohn's disease. My friend Justin's girlfriend's sister has Crohn's disease. My parent's friend's daughter has Crohns. And the hits just keep on coming.

I very much want to help my friends and family, but I'm not a doctor or a scientist. So I have undertaken this event to try and contribute to research into curing these diseases. It is not easy to ask people for money, and the current economy does not make it easy for many people to give generously. But these diseases affect millions of people in the United States (1.4 million people diagnosed in the US) and a lot of people to whom I am connected directly. I want to do something to help, and this is the path I've chosen. So now, I need your help as well. The recommended donation is $100, but any contribution you can make is helpful, whether lower (or higher!) and I really appreciate the support. And hey, at least your donation is tax deductible. :)

You can donate above, on the top right.

If you are comfortable to pass this on to friends, family or co-workers who might be willing to donate as well, that would be fantastic. I'm excited to run this race, and I feel good about trying to improve the research and efforts and cure these diseases. There's more information below regarding Crohn's and Colitis, and here's a link to the Wikipedia page on Crohn's:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crohn%27s_disease

BTW, my wife Allison is running in the same race and needs to raise the same amount. If you're feeling especially generous, or you like her more than me (entirely likely), then please donate to her cause as well: http://www.active.com/donate/napa09norcal/allisonspeiser

The Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon on July 19, 2009 is a charitable event to raise funds and awareness for research leading to improved treatment options and a cure for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative 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. Although it can involve any area of the GI tract, it most commonly affects the small intestine and/or colon. Ulcerative colitis on the other hand, affects only the colon.

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. However, Crohn's disease can also occur in people who are 70 or older and in young children as well. In fact, 10 percent of those affected -- or an estimated 100,000 -- are youngsters under the age of 18. On average, people are diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in their mid-30s, although the disease can occur at any age.