This Saturday, June 12 at 5 p.m., The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) will be holding their annual Take Steps for Crohn’s and Colitis Walk at Sawyer Point on Cincinnati’s riverfront.
My team, the Cincinnati Rollergirls, will be honorary walk pace setters (on skates!) for this event. Not only is my team supporting of this organization, but they are also walking in support of myself and another member of our league who also suffers from these debilitating illnesses. The league has firsthand knowledge of how this disease affects my life, and their support means the world to me.
I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 20. I was extremely ill for about a year and almost died from the complications it caused me. I ended up having two surgeries from December 2002 to April 2003 to help treat me for the devastating effects the disease had on my body. After going into what they call “remission” after my second surgery, I started working with CCFA to find a cure, and to help others.
The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is an organization I truly believe in. The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding the cure for two diseases; Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Collectively, these diseases are known as IBD. Crohn’s disease affects areas of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. Ulcerative colitis affects mainly the large intestine. Symptoms for both can include abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, bleeding, etc. Both diseases can be very debilitating, affect the quality of life for many people of all ages, and the range and severity of symptoms varies.
I’m extremely fortunate to be healthy enough to skate with the Cincinnati Rollergirls. Everyday that I wake up healthy, able to work, and able to skate, I am thankful.
If you’d like to participate in the 2-mile walk with us, go here to register. The free event also includes live entertainment, free food, karate and baseball lessons, face painting, balloon animals, and autographs and photos with Ciara Bravo from the Nickelodeon show “Big Time Rush.” The Cincinnati Rollergirls will also be happy to sign autographs and pose for photos. You can find us at Sawyer Point in the Kroger Promenade area by the amphitheater, and parking is free too. Hope to see you there!