Amy Bugwadia (California)

Amy B

School: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Major: Political Science

Hometown: San Jose, California

Hi! My name is Amy Bugwadia, and I'm a junior at UCLA studying Political Science and Disability Studies as a Pre-Med & Pre-Law student in the hopes of pursuing a career in the healthcare advocacy field. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the age of ten, in the midst of fifth grade. After years of silence, embarrassment, and resentment about my disease, my freshman year of high school, I met someone who was recently diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Being able to share my story with him completely changed my perspective and showed me that as people personally affected by IBD, we can support one another through the good and the bad. I got involved in the Foundation the following year as the 2014 Silicon Valley Honored Hero and started a Take Steps team called "Hope. Wish. Dream."

I'm excited to continue my involvement in IBD education, support, and advocacy efforts in the Los Angeles area. I am blessed to have the opportunity to study my illness in a research setting as an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the UCLA Center for Digestive Diseases IBD Research Center. With the Greater Los Angeles Foundation chapter, I have served on the 2017 Los Angeles spin4 committee and have also spoken at local patient education conferences. With the Northern California Chapter, I've worked on a project related to developing a young adult IBD support network for recent college graduates. I've also been a Counselor at Camp Oasis in California!

As Co-Chair of the National Council of College Leaders, I'm ecstatic to have the opportunity to continue these advocacy efforts with a group of passionate and resilient individuals. Having IBD has taught me the extent of my own strength as well as the strength of others around me. Being sick is not always a curse, and although it can be a true challenge, it has shown me that together, we can and will make a difference in the lives of many!