Why Walk?
Millions of people suffer every day with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, two painful, unpredictable diseases of the digestive tract. Forty years of research have brought us closer to a cure, but most people with Crohn’s and colitis still go from day to day not knowing when their next hospital stay may be, or when they might miss two weeks of work or school, or their daughter’s graduation, or their son’s wedding, or even their own…
Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis is the nation's largest event dedicated to ending this suffering. So far we’ve raised $127 million in crucial research dollars -- literally creating the field of Crohn’s and colitis research -- but there’s more work to be done.
Together we can achieve a better quality of life for patients and those who participate in their care. Better therapies and prevention are only a few steps away. Register today!
Patient profile: Mason
You wouldn't expect a six-year old to lead the charge against a devastating disease, but Mason is not your average six-year old. After six months of excruciating pain, an emergency colonoscopy gave Mason a diagnosis of Crohn's disease. Treatments then gave him a swollen face and a whole lot of teasing at school. But Mason fought back, educating his schoolmates about Crohn's and starting a team for last year's walk. He crushed his lofty $2,000 goal, raising more than $4,800. Since then he's made appearances on TV and in newspapers, working to bring more awareness to the millions of people suffering. He's a hero to many, but he needs your help!
In October, 2006, at six years old, Mason Delyea was rushed in for an emergency colonoscopy at CHOC (Children’s Hospital of Orange County). Immediately following the procedure he was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease. For the next eight days, Mason was x-rayed, tested, poked, prodded, and administered drugs into the wee hours of the morning. We began to see a slow improvement; our son’s personality was a glimpse away, where as, it had been masked by pain for the last 6 months.
When Mason returned to school, it took a couple of weeks for the name calling to begin. Mason looked different; he developed the moon face from the steroids he was taking. The kids at school didn’t understand which frustrated and hurt him. The school jumped in and addressed the name calling immediately, encouraging Mason to educate his peers on his disease. This experience sparked a desire in Mason, a desire to spread the word about Crohn’s. It was important to us as a family that Mason not be labeled as “The Kid with Crohn’s”. He’s a normal boy, able to engage in normal activities with no restrictions; however he has a maintenance drug therapy four times a year to keep Crohn’s in remission.
In late spring, 2007, we received information regarding the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) Walk fundraiser. Mason decided to walk, which then snowballed into raising a goal of $2000, then a team of 15 members. He achieved his goals with flying colors, raising $4800 to research a cure. His mission is to raise money for a cure and promote Crohn’s as table talk. The more people aware of the disease, the more willing they are to help."
~Mason’s mom
How is the money used?
More than 83 cents of every dollar raised directly supports our research, education and support initiatives. In fact, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation ranks third among the eleven leading health non-profits in the percent of expense devoted to research for a cure. We consistently exceed the standards of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance and receive an “A” rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy. We are also listed with Guidestar.