Today, May 19 is World IBD Day and this is why I run. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to participate in Crohn’s and Colitis Take Steps event in Fort Wayne, which is a fundraiser for the CCFA. These are the people I am running for.

I got to meet Barb, who has had over 30 surgeries. It was great to connect with someone that has had this awful disease for as long as I have. When we both were diagnosed with Crohn’s, there were basically only 3 or 4 drugs that would mask the symptoms of Crohn’s. Today, there are an unknown amount that will not only help mask some of the symptoms, but actually take you into remission without surgery. This is why I run.

I have been ‘fortunate,’ and I use that term loosely, as I have only had 3 surgeries, of which I have had about 36 inches of my small intestine taken out. I have met people that have had basically their whole small and large intestines out and have an ostomy for the rest of their lives. This is why I run.

I had over 25 blood transfusions in one year due to this disease because my body just couldn’t keep it in. This is why I run.

I got to see young teens dealing with this disease, high school life, and jobs. This is why I run.

I got to see moms and dads battling this disease and have to live the day to day live of juggling work and being mom or dad . This is why I run. 

These are just part of the 1.6 million people that deal with Crohn’s Disease and This is why I am running.

These are just a few reasons why I run, but I want to do my part in trying to find a cure for Crohn’s and Colitis. Please help me get to my new goal of $2500 and support me and my ‘crohnnies’ help find a cure and run this marathon together.

You can donate here in support the CCFA.