Because Inflammatory Bowel Disease Really Sucks

Dear Wonderful Girls in Shape,

Inflammatory bowel disease might not be on your radar screen, but it is a family of rotten diseases called Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis. These are medically incurable, chronic diseases that attack the digestive system. There are approximately 1.4 million Americans suffering from IBD. Let me tell you about three of them:

Rowdy is a semi-professional mountain biker, Brazilian jiujitsu Pan-Ams medalist, dad to three teenagers and my sweet husband. He was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at age 12. In the intervening 26 years, he has had four surgeries to remove diseased bowel. In two weeks, he will be having surgery #5, after once again failing medical management.

Jenny's the mom of seven children, including one terrific sister missionary. Her husband is a physician and the bishop of their ward. She spends most of her time going back and forth to her kids' activities, walking and serving others. She was diagnosed with Crohn's disease a couple of years ago. Her symptoms are largely controlled, thank goodness! She has no time to be sick!

Larry is Rowdy's biological dad. He has Ulcerative Colitis, and several years ago had all of his colon removed due to life-threatening complications from the disease. Since he doesn't have a colon anymore, he is not experiencing symptoms. However, UC left him a little reminder that it won that round--he has a permanent ostomy bag.

You may also divined that I really, really hate Crohn's and wish that it could be eradicated from the face of the earth. One of the things that pisses me off about that rotten disease is that I can't fix it. I have no control over Rowdy's flares and I can't heal him. But I found something that might just one day lead to much-improved treatments. I am running the Las Vegas Rock-and-Roll Half Marathon on December 5th with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation's Team Challenge. As part of this endeavor, I have made a goal to raise $4,400 towards research into cures and treatments, as well as support systems for sufferers of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, which is the catch-all term for Crohn's and Colitis.

I realize that this is a lofty goal, especially in these economic times and with so many other wonderful organizations and causes to which you can donate your time and energy, but every little bit helps. Your employer might even have a gift-matching program, so that your charitable dollars are doubled.

So, do it for Rowdy, or Jenny, or Larry, or someone else that you love, like,or just are acquainted with, or just because 1.4 million Americans suffer from IBD. Click on the hyperlink above, or just click on this: http://www.active.com/donate/lv10sandiego/LVDBricco

Thank you!
Tenacious D