Join me as I Race in Orange for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation! As many of you know, I have been suffering from IBD since 2015 at the age of 25 (initially diagnosed as UC, but some have questioned Crohn's since). It has been a tough road and I have not done a triathlon since that year and even had to drop out of USAT Nationals that year. My last Ironman race was in 2012, well before I developed this disease. I wanted to race Ironman California with all or my Sacramento friends, so I have made that my comeback goal!

I was initially hoping the 2021 Ironman was too going to be my comeback race, but ended up having to defer for health reasons. Unfortunately to the Bomb cycline the whole race was canceled for everyone the day of! So 2022 is now the inaugural race again for everyone!

I know so many others who are suffering from Crohn's Disease or Ullcerative Colitis, too, and it breaks my heart knowing what everyone else is going through, too. There are no cures for IBD, so patients rely on medications such as biologics, chemotherapies, steroids, etc., all of which can have side effects. I have decided to make a difference in the fight against Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis. On October 23, 2022, I will participate in Ironman California. This will be a big undertaking, but it will all be worth it because your donations will not only motivate me to the finish, but they will help us get closer to the cure. My initial fundraising goal is $1,000 for the CCFA. Help us find a cure! Feel free to follow along with my journey and share.

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.