Our Stories

When I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis as a twenty-year old, I never thought I would go so far as enrolling in a clinical trial to manage my disease. I was actually very resistant to most medications in the beginning. It’s hard to come to terms with being dependent on medication for the rest of your life when you are supposed to be in your prime. I felt like my body was betraying me.

From a young age, I knew that I wanted to be a mother. But, when I began experiencing symptoms of Crohn’s disease at age 21, I became worried about how my future may look. Knowing instinctively that I wanted to be well to have a child, I set out on a mission to heal the angry disease that was taking over my intestines.

Jennifer A., a Clinical Trials Ambassador shares her son, Christopher's story.

I was diagnosed with mild ulcerative colitis in early 2010. Though I took the prescribed medications the UC was continuous and worsened over the next three years until I had exhausted all approved treatments to no avail. A specialist at UCI recommended I consider a clinical trial medication as a potential treatment. I was screened and accepted for the clinical trial. My UC was then moderate and affecting my daily work and activities, so I was hopeful.

Susan Thomsen is both the mother of an IBD patient and a patient herself, but that hasn’t stopped her from completing more than 10 Team Challenge events.

I was 12 when I found out I had Crohn's disease.

I have a lot to be thankful for, despite the impact IBD has had on my family.

My journey with IBD began in 2008 when I was 20 years old and hospitalized with ulcerative colitis. It was a moment in time that put my life and career on hold. In a blink of an eye, I went from fighting to win bike races to fighting for my health.