Half Marathon for a cure!
 

Support the CCFA and donate to my fund!
http://www.active.com/donate/napa12midastl/stlNBrekal


My dear Camaro 5 members,

I come to you asking for your help. Not only help for me, but for others like me. In July, I will attempt to run a half marathon, 13.1 miles, for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation (CCFA). This race is more than just another fund raiser, but also it is very personal to me, for I suffer from Ulcerative Colitis since I was 15 years old. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, or long-lasting, disease that causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the inner lining of the large intestine. Ulcerative colitis is one of the two main forms of chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract, called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The other form is called Crohn’s disease. Most people diagnosed with UC have mild to moderate symptoms. About 10 percent have severe symptoms such as frequent fevers, bloody diarrhea, nausea, and severe abdominal cramps. UC can also cause problems such as joint pain, eye irritation, kidney stones, liver disease, and osteoporosis. Scientists do not know why these problems occur, but they think these complications may be the result of inflammation triggered by the immune system.

Not only am I running this race for a cure, but I am also running for those people who can't because of the progression of their illness. This illness has has made me more conscious of my entire life. The need to be near a restroom in public places, being placed in the hospital, but thankfully my Camaro can get me to the rest areas on the road fast :) However through many different medications, dietary changes, and tremendous support of my family and friends, this illness is currently in check for me. Unfortunately, it will not always be this way and we must find a cure.

So I come to you asking for support. I understand that not everyone can donate to this cause, so it would be greatly appreciated for any words of encouragement and place this link in your Facebook status so we can get the word out there. There is a cure waiting to be found, running in this race is one step closer to find it.

Thanks

Nick