I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in 1999; a time when not many doctors even knew what it was. It took 7 different referrals, months of pain and the "not knowing" before I was able to put a name to what I have been suffering from. Today I am healthy and living a normal life; watching what I eat and taking preventative medications when needed. The same cannot be said for others living with Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis.
My dear friend Lauren Kaminsky of www.forwardisapace.com, diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2005, is running the Rock & Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon on December 4 with Team Challenge to raise funds and awareness for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA); along with her husband Jon, who will be running his first half-marathon.
I wanted to share Lauren and Jon's letter; in hopes to help her reach her fund raising goal. By giving what you can, you are showing your support for the 1.4 million people in this country living with Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis. So I ask my friends, family, readers of my blog and followers of The Queer Guy, please give what you can to support an amazing woman who is fighting a courageous battle. Together we can make a difference and put and end to the suffering.
August 20, 2011
Dear family & friends,
Well, this is a letter I can certainly say I never thought I’d write. After nearly seven years of watching me get up at insane hours for training runs, going with me to purchase running “food” that comes in gel form to sustain me for long runs, and listening to me whine about every aching muscle I never knew I had, Jon has decided to join me for a half marathon.
I know. I was shocked too.
By now you know that I’m crazy and take on things like half marathons for fun, but I’m sure you’re wondering what possessed Jon “Running is a Punishment” Kaminsky to voluntarily sign up to run 13.1 miles. The answer is simple: Team Challenge, the charity running team for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.
In 2005, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. Simply put, UC is a chronic disease in the colon that causes my body to mistake some things in the intestine for an invading substance and launch an attack. Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are painful, unpredictable diseases that attack the digestive system. (There is a lot more graphic information I could share, but I’ll spare you. If you have questions, just ask!) I am just one of about 1.4 million Americans living with Crohn’s or Colitis.
Jon and I are running the Rock & Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon on December 4 with Team Challenge to raise funds and awareness for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). Together, we hope to make a future without Crohn’s and UC a reality. CCFA uses the funds raised to research treatments, provide education and support to patients, and improve the quality of life for people living with these diseases. At least 81 cents for every dollar donated goes directly to research and patient support.
We’re running in the hopes that one day, Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis will be 100% curable.
Our personal goal is to raise $4000 for CCFA. We hope you will consider supporting us in our first half marathon together (and Jon’s first ever!) by making a tax-deductible donation to CCFA using the enclosed donation form. Just fill out the form and send it with your check in the envelope provided! You can also donate online at: http://www.active.com/donate/illinoiswinter11/kaminsky. Our fundraising deadline is November 1 – please help us meet our goal by then!
Thanks for your support!
Love,
Lauren & Jon Kaminsky
Filed under: Chicago, Crohn's Disease, Daniel Scogin, Friends, Half Marathon, Ulcerative Colotis, Uncategorized
Tags: Awareness, Crohn's Disease, Fund Raising, Half Marathon, Ulcerative Colitis
