CCFA
Hi, everybody! As some of you may know, my colitis has been acting up again, which is why I have not been posting. The good news is, I'm starting to feel better, so I can write again! Today I'm going to talk about a cause that is dear to my heart, and it is called the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA).
As you already know, I have colitis. Ulcerative colitis, to be exact. To be even more exact, I have Pan-ulcerative colitis, which I think is the worst type of colitis you can get. Great. Just great. Anyway, as you already know, blah blah blah blah blah! OK, to the point.
The CCFA is a foundation that was created by Irwin M., Suzanne Rosenthal, William D., Shelby Modell, Henry D. Janowitz, M.D. in 1967 (35 years before I was born!). It is dedicated to finding the cures for Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis, and it is also dedicated to making the lives of people with these diseases (Example: MY life) easier, adults and kids alike. It is a non-profit, volunteer-driven orginazation, and they really do an awesome job of running it!
WHAT IS ULCERATIVE COLITIS?
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease of the large intestine, also known as the colon, in which the lining of the colon becomes inflamed and develops tiny open sores, or ulcers, that produce pus and mucous. The combination of inflammation and ulceration can cause abdominal discomfort and frequent emptying of the colon. (So, in other words, I go bathroom up to twelve times a day.)
Ulcerative colitis is the result of an abnormal response by your body's immune system. Normally, the cells and proteins that make up the immune system protect you from infection. In people with IBD, however, the immune system mistakes food, bacteria, and other materials in the intestine for foreign or invading substances. (So, if I eat some food, like say some milk, my colon will get irritated, and I end up getting a very bad stomachache.) When this happens, the body sends white blood cells into the lining of the intestines, where they produce chronic inflammation and ulcerations.
While ulcerative colitis tends to run in families, researchers have been unable to establish a clear pattern of inheritance. Studies show that up to 20 percent of people with ulcerative colitis will also have a close relative with the disease. (My mom has a cousin with colitis.)
MY TYPE OF ULCERATIVE COLITIS
If you are diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, the symptoms and complications of your disease will vary depending on the extent of the disease. It’s important to understand which type of ulcerative colitis you have and how it will affect you.
In addition to ulcerative colitis, there are several other types of ulcerative colitis. The following is a description of the type of ulcerative colitis I have and descriptions of common symptoms and complications for it:
Pan-ulcerative (total) Colitis
Affects the entire colon. Symptoms include diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, cramps, and extensive weight loss. (Been there, done that!) Potentially serious complications include massive bleeding and acute dilation of the colon (toxic megacolon), which may lead to an opening in the bowel wall. Serious complications may require surgery. (I almost had to have surgery in 2012.)
DONATE TO THE CCFA
Support Crohn's & Ulcerative Colitis Research!
We are counting on your financial support to advance life-changing research for Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis. Although significant progress in understanding these diseases have been made—there’s still much work to be done. Through your donation, we can continue to fund all of our vital programs.
Your generous tax-deductible gift will help fund critical research for improving treatment and finding cures for all inflammatory bowel diseases. (YEAH!) It will also help sustain support programs for those who are struggling with the physical and emotional toll of living with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Here are some ways you can support us financially:
Donate online
Make a monthly donation
Make a gift in honor of someone or in memory of a loved one
Commemorate weddings, birthdays, or other special occasions
Multiply your gift’s impact through an employer match
Donate your vehicle
Join Take Steps
Create a personalized fundraising page
THANK YOU!!!!!!
CAMP OASIS
A Fun Place for Learning, Playing, and Healing
Dealing with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as a child is even more challenging. (I'll say!) That is why the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) proudly established Camp Oasis over a decade ago. This co-ed residential summer camp program enriches the lives of children with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis by providing them with a safe and supportive camp community. Watch our video and see what your children can experience.
A Life Changing Experience
Since all of the campers (and many of the adults) at Camp Oasis are living with IBD, our supportive community allows them to:
See that they are not alone
Try all sorts of new sports and activities
Create friendships with people who truly understand them
Gain confidence and independence
Put aside their troubles, and just be a kid
Outstanding Medical Care
Our volunteer physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals are available for 24-hour care, and work to ensure campers follow the regimen prescribed by their doctors back home.
A Quality Program
Camp Oasis was built upon the highest standards of care, and offers activities that appeal to every taste:
Visual and performing arts
Land and water sports
High ropes and other outdoor adventures
Leadership development (for our oldest participants)
Our schedule also allows your children plenty of time to relax, get to know one another, and share the best medicine of all—laughter! (I'm hoping to try Camp Oasis.)
Thanks for reading, and I really hope you learned something from this today about awareness for colitis, and that you donate to the CCFA. Bye!
You can find this information and more at the CCFA website. Just search up "ccfa" in the search engine.
