Help Renate raise money

I personally believe that this is an extremely important and often overlooked cause.  These diseases can and do literally ruin lives and there is no where near enough research or support for those who are suffering. With her permission, I am going to share the story of my dear friend and warrior goddess, Emily Brien .  

In 2018 she started struggling with horrific unexplained symptoms (body pain, bleeding, urgency, debilitating stomach pains). She saw multiple specialists who dismissed her symptoms as everything from menstrual pains (don’t even get me started on the misogyny) to IBS. She was finally diagnosed with IBD in 2019 following a colonoscopy that she had to self advocate to even get.  Later, she was officially diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease after a biopsy of her colon. From there she started receiving a myriad of medications and treatments (immuno suppressants, steroids, experimental medications, biological medications administered by IV and by syringe, medicated enimas and suppositories), all the while suffering with little to no relief. In August of 2021 she had a temporary ostomy placed, in hopes that she could preserve her fertility and potentially have the ostomy reversed, should a medication become available that worked for her.  Unfortunately, within a year of having her ostomy placed, her crohn’s had flared to the point that making her ostomy permanent was the only option. In September of 2022, she had her entire digestive system past her ileum removed and a permanent ostomy placed.  Today, she lives with a freedom she could only have dreamt of when she was first diagnosed, and she works tirelessly to dismantle stigma and misunderstandings about ostomies and living as an ostomate. 

As one of her close friends, I saw the years of pain, the tears, the fear, the procedures, and trips to the ER.  I sat on the sidelines feeling helpless as my friend endured literal hell. After the dust had settled, I realized that I didn’t have to be helpless, that I could stand up and walk (or run) to raise funds for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, to help her and others who are suffering. To help research, community programs and support for those in need, and that is REALLY special.  So, on October 19th, I’m running 21.1km in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon and if you’re able/willing, we’d love if you could donate to this amazing and incredibly important cause.