Welcome to my fundraising page!
Hi, I'm Aurelia and I am 10 years old. I have had my ileostomy since I was a baby.
I was born a happy healthy baby, but when I was 9 months old, I got really sick and was hospitalized. After lots of tests and surgical procedures, the doctors found out that I have Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction caused by an autoimmune disease called Autoimmune Leiomyositis.
I had surgery to have my ileostomy placed when I was 11 months old. My doctors decided that it was the best course of action to help alleviate some of my symptoms such as tummy distention and trouble going to the bathroom.
At the time, due to my tummy being unable to properly digest anything, I had to have a central line placed which delivered nutrition directly to my bloodstream. I was fully TPN dependent for six months. Even just 1ml of formula or breast milk would cause me a lot of pain and cause my tummy to bloat more.
When I was 12 months old, my doctors decided to try putting me on a transplant medication to see if it would help control my autoimmune disease. Thankfully, the medication they put me on helped with my distention and eventually I was able to start eating food again and slowly wean off of TPN.
My tummy still doesn't work right all the time and there are a lot of foods my body still has trouble digesting, but for the most part I get to live a pretty normal life. I still have some tummy trouble from time to time, but it usually only lasts a day, and I bounce back. I don't let my ileostomy stop me from living my life to the fullest. If you saw me today, you would never guess all that I have been through in my 10 years of life.
My mom started calling me SuperAurie, because I was tough, resilient, and always had a smile on my face even if I wasn't feeling the best.
This year, I have made a commitment to spend Ostomy Awareness Day, Saturday, October 5th, as part of a group of people who are empowering people who have had or who will have ostomy or continent diversion surgery. In order to fulfill this commitment, I am asking for your help.
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 some day 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. These surgeries are life-saving, and have allowed many people to return to living a healthy life.
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.ostomy5k.org, and to learn more about UOAA please visit www.ostomy.org.
I have set my fundraising goal at $ 250. You can help me achieve this goal and help me pay tribute to those who need our help. Please support my fundraising campaign by clicking the donate link to sponsor my efforts in meeting my fundraising goal, or click Register to join me!
Thank you for your support. Not only will you be helping me reach my goal, but you will help each and every person who has had or who may one day have ostomy or continent diversion surgery.
Sincerely,
Aurelia aka superAurie
