As I know all Active Rain members are passionate about causes we believe in, I wanted to post the importance of one person doing one thing. Never under estimate the force each of us has in the world around us!
I posted a few weeks ago about being one of the finalist in the Celebrating UC Success contest. As on of the finalist, my husband, daughter and I were able to have a paid trip to Washington, DC to participate in the IB Day on the Hill sponsored by the Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America. The above photo was taken just after I was recognized at the banquet at the Washington Court Hotel. 
Since I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis at age 11, the quest to find the cause and ultimate cure is very close to my heart. I have a seven year old daughter who has half of my genes! Until just a few years ago, the medical community did not believe there to be a genetic link, but now it is said there is a link, but environmental factors tip the scales for either health or illness. So what are the factors?
No one knows....YET!
It is inspiring to see teachers, doctors, researchers, (Realtors), etc from all walks of life affected by illnesses that are largely unresearched. Most of the actual research on causes and medical treatments of pediatrics comes from Europe. The NIH funds only very small studies and basically no research on pediatrics with Crohn's and Colitis has been funded yet in the US.
I was honored to be able to visited several members of congress to request each to co-sponsor bills to push the National Institute for Health to study these debilitating diseases. Some offices were more interested in talking than others. Some staffers really cared and asked tons of questions. Others acted as if we were interrupting their viewing of C-Span!
Congressman Nathan Deal (GA) spent a great deal of time talking to me and my four companions. No matter how he votes in the end, it was clear that he wanted to fully understand the situation. Isn't that why we send folks to Washington!
If you would like to read my essay, please go to www.ucsuccess.org
You likely know someone who has Crohns or Colitis. Each is auto-immune in nature such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, MS, Graves Disease, etc. there are 80 types of autoimmune diseases. It is believed they are linked. Often treatment for one disease will benefit patients of other diseases. That is why research is key!
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