I'll do the running if you'll help me do the rest...

I'm seeking a community of supporters to help raise awareness of digestive diseases: this can be done by word of mouth, joining CCFA, or donating to the cause.

Crohn's has not affected my life physically but it has emotionally. One of my best friends, Alicia "CiCi" Barone, has had the disease since childhood and I have seen her battle Crohn's for over 10 years now. Throughout that time I have seldom heard complaining, instead CiCi has embraced this as just part of life. Somehow she's juggled the disease along with a normal life: working a full time job, being a wonderful mom to a beautiful 3 year old daughter, and has still has time to perform often in theatrical productions around Austin, TX. I don't mean to mislead you, her journey has been tough: she has to miss work frequently because she never knows when the disease will act up, her stomach is extremely sensitive so she has to be selective about what she eats, and she has probably been to more doctor visits than the average person will go in their entire life; this has affected her both mentally and physically.

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammation in the bowel resulting from immune system malfunction. Research indicates that in people with Crohn's disease, the immune system actually mistakes some bacteria and other organisms normally found in the intestines for foreign invaders. The body then sends white blood cells into the lining of the intestines to fight these so-called invaders. This overproduction of white blood cells results in the inflammation of the intestines. Prolonged inflammation can lead to ulcerations and injury to portions of the bowel. (http://www.livingwithchronsdisease.com/)

There is no cure for Crohns, this is where your help is needed. A cure requires research and research requires funding: July 19th, I will join my team to run the Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon to raise awareness. My 13 mile run is nothing more than a humble attempt to show my dedication towards finding a cure. It's important I find sponsors take this journey with me. My motivation for the run has come easy, and my goal is this: I need to raise $5000.

No gift is too small, just $1 a mile will bring us closer to our ultimate goal, and that is to find a cure.

Your donation is tax-deductible and can be made on this page, or via check or cash to me in person. Share this page and ccfa.org with friends and family, tell them about Crohn's and Colitis and the need for a cure. Join Team Challenge and/or Take Steps and be part of something bigger. Please join us on this journey.

"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." Edmund Everett Hale