Our Stories

These special people inspire us with laughter and wisdom. Read their personal stories -- or share one of your own.

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Rocio Castrillon

"The Foundation has given me a voice in research. As a patient reviewer for research grants, I review research proposals and the impact they will have on patients. There are so many more treatment options since I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease 15 years ago."

Eugene Lisansky

"I went to a Foundation support group after I was diagnosed with Crohn's and it was fantastic. I made friends, heard stories and shared information. I now run three support groups. It's empowering for me and everyone who attends."

Kagan's Story

Kagan first started experiencing symptoms when she was beginning her senior year of high school. It took three months for doctors to ultimately diagnose her with ulcerative colitis. Kagan credits the Foundation with being a crucial piece of her journey. “Just knowing I could log onto the Foundation website and get trustworthy facts and connect with people who have gone through exactly my situation has been so comforting,” Kagan says. “There’s nowhere else to go for this kind of information!” Your generosity will help ensure young people like Kagan get the information and support they need.

Jackson's Story

Jackson’s symptoms began on Halloween night when he was 10 years old. A few days later, he ended up in the emergency room, and by Thanksgiving, he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Throughout middle school, Jackson was frequently absent from school due to his disease. He loved playing tennis, but sadly, IBD kept him off the court. Today Jackson refuses to let ulcerative colitis define him. Thanks to medication and nutritional therapy, Jackson has reached and maintained remission. And he’s back to playing tennis! Your gift today will help us offer support to IBD patients like Jackson.

Addy's Story

When Addy was eight, she started experiencing horrific symptoms. Her health just kept getting worse and she was diagnosed with severe Crohn’s disease. Today, Addy is a confident teenager who loves to help others who live with IBD. Addy found comfort at Camp Oasis, the Foundation’s weeklong summer program for kids with IBD. “The second I arrived, I felt at home. For the first time since my diagnosis, I was surrounded by people who truly understood me and my needs.” Your ongoing support will help other kids like Addy have great experiences at Camp Oasis.

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Veronica's Story

When I was a young teen, I began having stabbing stomach pains and horrible acid reflux. It took more than a year before I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, and another 10 before I received the medical treatment I needed in order to live a full life. I am still coming to terms with the fact that I suffered unnecessarily for years in large part because my doctors followed an insurance protocol known as step therapy.

Advocacy story

Macy's Story

When I was 15 years old, my Crohn’s disease flared, and I lost half my body weight within six months because I couldn’t eat normal foods. I was so relieved when the nutrition shakes my doctor recommended allowed me to gain weight and get my Crohn’s under control. But I couldn’t believe that our insurance company wouldn’t pay, just because the nutrition wasn’t coming through a tube inserted in my body.

Advocacy story

Lori's Story

I treasure every month that my treatment works to keep my Crohn’s disease symptoms at bay, because my body produces antibodies that eventually render medications ineffective. I was beyond upset when, recently, my insurer stopped covering the effective medication I was taking, even though I had already tried and failed another medication they insisted I take first – a process known as step therapy, or fail first.

Advocacy story

Jay's Story

My 27-year journey with Crohn’s disease hasn’t been easy, but I manage my symptoms with an advanced medication. The drug manufacturer provides a copay card which has helped cover the high out-of-pocket cost. But now, our insurer won’t count this copay assistance toward our high annual deductible because our new policy has a copay accumulator program. I’m angry at the choices we must make to pay for my medication. For many other IBD patients, the only choice they have is to abandon the medication they depend on.

Advocacy story

Dr. Lord's Story

As a gastroenterologist, my patients do not often die because of the reason they came to see me. And if they do, it usually is not from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), so Carol’s death hit me hard. Her death was preventable, and it motivated me to become an advocate for Medicare reform.