Help Us Find A Cure!
My brother & I are at it again! We've decided to cross another item off our bucket list and compete in the IRONMAN 70.3 Des Moines next June. There were many ways to enter the race including just paying a race entry however, we wanted to do something to give back. We've decided to enter as a charity entry, but not just any charity, one that is near and dear to our hearts. We want to make a difference in the fight against Crohn's disease & ulcerative colitis.
Most of us know someone who is affected by IBD but may not know exactly what that means, and for those who do, you have some understanding of the pain and torment it can cause. My personal story is over the past decade I've struggled with finding a cause for my stomach pains and other issues (I'll spare you the details). As of right now I have been diagnosed with severe IBS and currently my doctors are working towards another more fitting diagnosis. While getting a diagnosis will help tame my symptoms, it does not help with a cure. The decision to join this charity was not due to my issues and struggles alone but to those I've watched around me looking for a cause and a cure as well. I've seen my sister-in-law struggle for years to first get a diagnosis and to this day preventing her symptoms to the best of her abilities. I've watched many friends with Crohn's go from 0-100. One minute they're ready to go out and enjoy their day and the next they're keeled over and unable to move. Crohn's & ulcerative colitis are progressive diseases, which means your symptoms may get worse. It is also not localized and does not discriminate. It can go from your mouth to your bottom and also affect your eyes, joints & skin. These symptoms are not just some stomach issues, these are real, painful and debilitating problems.
Please consider helping by spreading the word, sharing this page, donating or all of the above. This race is no small feat for either of us and it will all be worth it because your donations will not only motivate us to finish, but they will help us get closer to the cure.
About Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
Known collectively as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis affects almost 1 in 100 people. They are painful, medically incurable diseases that attack the digestive system. Crohn's disease may attack anywhere along the digestive tract, while ulcerative colitis inflames only the large intestine (colon). Symptoms may include abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever, and weight loss. Many patients require numerous hospitalizations and surgery. Most people develop the diseases between the ages of 15 and 35; however the incidence is increasing in children.
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation is the largest non-profit, voluntary, health organization dedicated to finding cures for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The Foundation’s mission is to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults who are affected by these diseases. The Foundation works to fulfill its mission by funding research; providing educational resources for patients and their families, medical professionals, and the public; and furnishing supportive services for those afflicted with IBD.
Achievements
Personal Gift
Has made a donation to this event
Personal Progress:
of Goal
$199
Raised
$5,500.00
Fundraising Honor Roll
Anonymous
$52
Anonymous
Cindy & Gary Dostal
$25
Facebook Fundraiser
$50
Gregg N
$25
Jacob Matthew-wayne Hundley
$27
