February 27, 2014-You Have the Power to EmpowerSMU SMC

The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America is fighting IBD one patient at a time

“Hey! I have IBD and lately I’ve been having horrible cramps and extreme weight loss because of it. Do you know of anything that could help me right now?”

It’s definitely not what you want to start off the conversation with, or something you would bring up on a first date. It can even be awkward to talk about your IBD and its symptoms with family members or even with your doctor. Inflammatory Bowel Disease involves chronic inflammation of part or all of the digestive tract. Its symptoms vary, depending on the severity of the inflammation, but some of the most common ones include abdominal pain, diarrhea, cramping, ulcers, reduced appetite, and weight loss. The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) understands that talking about your IBD can be embarrassing. But now it does not have to be.

CCFA is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and to improve the wuality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases. In an effort to fulfill its mission, CCFA is launching a new mentoring program this month. The Power of Two is a support program that seeks to create helpful and confidential connections between volunteer mentors and mentees who are fighting the stress and pressure of living with IBD and its symptoms. Through two (2) one (1) hour calls, mentors and mentees can share personal success stories and experiences, coping strategies, general concerns about their disease, advice on how to deal with it, along with general informational resources, and information on educational events and support groups, provided to the volunteer by CCFA.

When it comes to dealing with IBD, two is always better than one. Join the Power of Two and learn how you can help an IBD patient stay in control of their disease. For more information or comments regarding the program visit http://www.ccfa.org/chapters/northwest/support-groups/ or email ehirschtemp@ccfa.org.