Since I was diagnosed with the first inflammatory, chronic, auto-immune disease - Ulcerative Colitis - I have been taking part in the annual fundraiser for IBD. This fundraiser is called the Gutsy Walk.
Ulcerative Colitis was my first diagnosis, but since that particular inflammatory illness invaded my body, I have been diagnosed with a lengthy list of other ailments.
After having my colon removed, sporting an ileostomy bag for 7 months in my senior high school year, and then going under the knife again for the reconnection and J-Pouch, Chronic Pouchitis and Crohn's Disease were the next two to show up.
I have been privileged to participate in, and often perform for, several fundraisers over the years that all raise money for very worthwhile causes.
Obviously, a cure would be ideal. An actual cure for IBD would change the lives millions of sufferers... But think of it in more simplistic terms:
Just donating $5.00 - if every single person WITH any form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease or even Irritable Bowel Syndrome (hundreds of thousands of people) donated that small amount, that money could go towards research projects, labs and lab equipment, drug trials, new and crucial discoveries to unveil the cause of so many forms of these diseases - five bucks could help eliminate the need for bowel surgeries, Prednisone and even reduce the number of hospital visits.
The money raised over the years has already paid off in many ways:
1. Biologics
The group of medications that can help mask the symptoms and even help some people achieve remission for many types of inflammatory illnesses is called Biologics. These include drugs such as Remicade, Humira, Enbrel, and Simponi.
These medications have already helped thousands and thousands of people actually get their lives back! They have changed the lives of IBD sufferers worldwide.
2. The IBD facility
One of the other monumental advances in the care and treatment of IBD sufferers is a building specifically related to IBD. Similar in ways to an Urgent Care Centre, this facility will be dedicated solely to those people who have major issues with IBD. This will include 24/7 on-call gastroenterologists, specific rooms for Remicade infusions, surgical suites for endoscopies, colonoscopies, sigmoidoscopies, pouchoscopies, etc..., plus a lab and a pharmacy.
Could you imagine?? That would mean fewer people with IBD having to go to the emergency room with blockages and severe dehydration and emergency scopes - it will put less strain and take fewer beds in the hospitals. It also means not having to run around the city for the appointment, bloodwork, stool samples, and prescription refills. It will all be in one building - and everyone in that building is TRAINED specifically to deal with issues pertaining to Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
3. Laparoscopy
Another major advancement in the 'treatment' of IBD is being able to remove parts of intestine or the entire colon with a laparoscopy! This advancement didn't happen until after my two surgeries. What does it mean? It means - less recovery time and an easier recovery period (again - reducing the strain on hospital beds and rooms), smaller and fewer abdominal scars (mine goes from above my belly button until a couple of inches below the pant line), as well as less risk of infection, fewer stiches or staples, decreased overall pain, and decreased risk of complications during surgery.
4. DNA
Researchers have been able to identify at LEAST 120 different markers that are associated with IBD. At one point, it was estimated that only a few defective genes played a part in an individual developing one of these diseases. Now they've identified well over 100.
All of these advances were made possible because of the generosity of others. This is incredible!
This is helping to change people's lives for the better.
We still have no clue what causes these disorders. There are definite factors that aggravate the illnesses, that may play a part in triggering the onset and flare-ups, but no known cause.
Without knowing the cause, the cure is that much more difficult to discover.
Science has made excellent strides in the care and treatment of IBD sufferers, but removing pieces of intestine is NOT a cure. In a certain sense it can be seen that way - but until we find the root cause of all of that inflammation, removing intestine is only addressing part of the issue. If a body is predisposed to fighting its own digestive tract by causing inflammation, then there is no guarantee that surgery will deter the reappearance of the disease. Yes - surgery has saved lives - but we have a long way to go before we can determine an actual cure.
Please consider donating to Crohn's Colitis Canada. Your help and your generosity has lead to some pretty incredible discoveries.
Thank you!
Thank you for allowing me to have a better quality of life. Thank you for showing your support.
Here is the link to my personal page: