Blogging for a Cause

One of my friends, Ali, contacted me about her charity and posting some information on my blog. Here is some information that she wanted me to pass on to you!

Here is my fundraising page:

http://www.active.com/donate/kona11newengland/KONAABaldas

I am embarking on my third season training and fundraising with a program called Team Challenge. Team Challenge is a 16 week endurance and fundraising program that prepares athletes of all abilities to run or walk a half marathon. The program raises funds and awareness for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (www.ccfa.org). The ultimate goal: To find a cure for Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis. My personal mission: To raise $6,000 by May 1^st for the CCFA and race in Kona Hawaii’s Half Marathon in June for everyone close to me who suffers everyday from Crohns or ulcerative colitis.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are known together as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). They are painful, medically incurable illnesses that attack the digestive system. There are approximately 1.5 million adults and children who suffer from one of these two diseases and there are still countless numbers of people who remain undiagnosed. My cousin suffers from Crohns and she just recently spent 2 weeks in the hospital where she had to undergo an 8+ hour surgery removing most of her colon and parts of her small intestines. This wasn't her first surgery either. Her first surgery she underwent, she had 26 inches of her intestines removed. It's really an embarrassing illness and she spends her life in out of the doctor's office, giving her self IV injections and taking various medications and is always in constant worry that she might have a "flare up" that will land her in the hospital. ...again. She tries so hard to keep up her self esteem and take care of her young son, but she and everyone else who suffers really deserves everything we can do to find a cure.

I'm hoping people can find it in their hearts to donate to help find a cure. All donations are completely tax deductible and the money raised goes toward cutting edge research, educational services and patient care.