Welcome to my fundraising page!
Hello family and friends, As most of you know I have spent the majority of my adult life(30+ years) struggling with Crohns/Ulcerative Colitis. Spending most of a year struggling to stay out of the hospital, weeks in the hospital and months recovering from the ravages of the disease. I spent the time in between looking for answers through western, eastern and alternative medicines/therapies, with temporary or no improvement. I continued holding on to the edge between health and sickness until I started a medication referred to as a Biologic. The first time in decades I had my life back. Yes it suppressed my immune system but that was less of a challenge than living on that continous edge. Unfortunately the medication had an end date, and because of a medical mistake I was faced with an Ileostomy. The Ileostomy was a life saver and a life changer. You would think those years of struggle would have prepared me for such a challenge but I am still adapting to the changes both physically and mentally involved with losing your colon and wearing a pouch 24/7. I was blessed to find the Spokane Ostomy Support Group and the UOAA. They are a life line for new and experienced ostomates. The mentorship and the information available is priceless. Please help support the organization that is dedicated to helping Ostomates and the people that care about them..
On October 5, 2024, I will participate in the Virtual Run for Resilience Ostomy 5k. This is more than just a 5k race for me. The goal of these events is to raise awareness and to empower people who have had or who may someday have ostomy or continent diversion surgery. Funds will support United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that makes a difference in the lives of the 725,000 to 1 million Americans who have had ostomy or continent diversion surgery.
I am writing to share my story, and to ask you to support me as I train to participate in this 5k race. To find out more about the Run for Resilience Ostomy 5k please visit www.ostomy.org/5k, and to learn more about UOAA please visit www.ost
Thank you for your support,
Sincerely, Cynthia Ford
