Giving Back
by Lizz on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 23:51
I think we’ve all been at points of struggle with these diseases where we felt hopeless. For most of us, the J Pouch operation gives us our lives back. It gives us an opportunity to live it. It gives us an opportunity to hope.
I have done volunteer work for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America for the past six years. My mom told me about CCFA when I was first diagnosed. We joined and I was an inactive member for years (ie: I got the newsletters, paid my dues, but I never got involved.) Part of the reason for that lack of involvement was that I was so sick, I could barely function, let alone have any extra energy to devote to a charity…even to one that might ultimately help my quality of life.
So here I am today, on the committee to plan the CCFA walk for my Northwest chapter. I’m super-swamped at work, have a full social life, and aside from a minor flare a few weeks ago, I’m doing pretty well health wise. Things on that front are rarely 100% for me, but I am happy and I am thrilled to be able to do something to help others who are suffering now as much as I once was.
For those of you who are able, I urge you to get out and volunteer. If not for CCFA, for another cause close to your heart (or guts).
Colin says:
January 28th, 2010 at 1:23 am
That’s great to see you doing so well, Lizz! I’m still knee (and bag) deep in the surgical process, but I hope that I can someday be healthy enough to be of some use to other people still suffering with UC and Crohns.
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ML says:
January 28th, 2010 at 9:35 am
Lizz, I was a volunteer for years and ended up with a paying job with them back in AZ. I loved that job! I would go back in a heart beat if they ever had an opening in Houston!
My time with CCFA both in volunteer and in employment status changed me so much as a patient and as a person. Although now after having my surgery I am cured so to speak of my UC I still believe that CCFA is the greatest non profit for all it does! I too encourage people with active disease, remission disease or removed disease to get involved!
Good luck with your walk!
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Brevin says:
January 31st, 2010 at 1:41 pm
I should post pics of the Half-Marathon we did in Vegas this past December. Team Challenge is the CCFA running/walking group that helped us train and raise money. I raised about 4 grand for the CCFA and made good friends within Team Challenge. Since my J-Pouch is letting me do things like run distances, I’ll keep doing this to support the cause.
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