I'm Running For A Cure!

Hi everyone :) I’m training to run my first half marathon with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s Team Challenge! I’ll be completing the 13.1 mile Virginia Wine Country race to raise funds and awareness for research leading to a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis that have claimed over 1.4 million Americans...

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are known together as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are painful, medically incurable illnesses that attack the digestive system. The cause of IBD remains unknown. However, the effectiveness of recently developed treatment methods and steady advances in research brings us closer every day to finding the cause and probable cure of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

This cause is close to my heart because I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age ten. I was experiencing severe stomach pains and had to make frequent trips to the bathroom. I lost a lot of weight and became very pale, so my mother took me to the doctor. After a number of tests, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and was admitted into the children's hospital. I was given a blood transfusion that made me very weak and I missed a few months of school. I was also given steroids which caused my cheeks and face to swell and caused a significant amount of weight gain. After returning to school, I was teased for looking different and being overweight. 16 years later, I am still struggling with bouts of stomach pains, a slew of expensive medications and procedures, inconvenient dietary needs, embarrassingly frequent trips to the bathroom, fatigue and susceptibility to sickness due to a weakened immune system. Raising money is important to funding research programs that can eventually help find a cure for these diseases.

My goal is to raise $3,000 for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America and to have the majority of donations in by April 4 (my birthday). Over 75% of every dollar I raise will directly fund the mission of CCFA; to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis,and to improve the quality of life of children and adults like me, who are affected by inflammatory bowel diseases.

Please join me in the fight against Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Visit my website http://www.active.com/donate/virginia11carolinas/CarMKenned to donate TODAY and help me find a cure for these diseases!