Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis
Dear Family and Friends, I’m fundraising on the behalf of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation because I believe no one should have to deal with the fear, uncertainty, and pain caused by Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, also known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). As you know, my life has changed since my diagnosis of ulcerative colitis in June of 2009. I can vividly remember my first signs that something was not right. I was 25, living in New York, and finishing up my first year of grad school for elementary education. My symptoms started out gradually, but got worse fast. I yo-yo-ed between diarrhea and constipation. I remember feeling horrified when I saw blood in the toilet for the first time. After I saw a gastroenterologist and had my first colonoscopy, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. I barely knew what the diagnosis meant, but I remember feeling grateful that my problem had a name. Little did I know what a rocky road was ahead. Today, even wit