Help Thomas raise money

Hello Everyone,

As you probably know, I’m a runner. I’ve ran four marathons, several halfs, and many 10Ks, but the Falmouth Road Race is one of my favorites – this year will be my 5^th running! Maybe it’s passing by Nobska Light, or running along the beach with the sea air filling my lungs, or the boisterous crowds…or the hot dogs at the finish. Regardless, I love running this race, and I’m very excited to make this my first post-Covid road race! 

What you may not have known is that I have ulcerative colitis – I was diagnosed in September of 2017, and I’ve been living with it since then. I’m grateful that with the medication I take every day, it’s in remission, and I can live a pretty normal and active lifestyle. But not everyone is as fortunate as I am. 

That’s why I’m fundraising this year for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation as a part of the Team Challenge…and why I need your help to fund research and find a cure. Your donations will not only motivate me to the finish, but they will help us get closer to finding a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. 

Known collectively as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis affects almost 1 in 100 people (lucky me!). They are painful, medically incurable diseases that attack the digestive system. Crohn's disease may attack anywhere along the digestive tract, while ulcerative colitis inflames only the large intestine (colon). Symptoms may include abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever, and weight loss. Many patients require numerous hospitalizations and surgery. Most people develop the diseases between the ages of 15 and 35; however, the incidence is increasing in children. The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation is the largest non-profit, voluntary, health organization dedicated to finding cures for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The Foundation’s mission is to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults who are affected by these diseases. The Foundation works to fulfill its mission by funding research; providing educational resources for patients and their families, medical professionals, and the public; and furnishing supportive services for those afflicted with IBD.