Welcome to my fundraising page!
Many of you know my story and the battle I faced after being diagnosed with IBD in 2011. The fact that I am alive today is a miracle in itself. After being diagnosed, my life changed in ways I never imagined. The journey was long, hard, and physically and emotionally exhausting.
After years of failed treatments, by 2016 I was fighting for my life. I weighed 88 lbs. I was malnourished. Hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body, is considered low at 12 grams per deciliter. My hemoglobin level was a 4, which left doctors amazed that I was functioning. I was weak and frail and praying that God would lead me to the right doctors to help me in the battle I was fighting.
I spent most of September 2016 in the hospital, receiving IV nutrition and multiple blood transfusions, but IBD had destroyed my large intestine, which was causing the malabsorption of nutrients and blood loss. Thank God for answered prayers. He led me to an amazing gastroenterologist who cared for me as a whole person, not simply a “fascinating case” to be solved, as other doctors I had seen had labeled me. I’ll never forget her sitting on the hospital bed telling me that I wasn’t going to make it much longer if I didn’t have surgery to remove my colon.
On September 28, 2016 I had surgery to remove my large intestine. On that day, eight years ago, I became an Ostomate. I live with an ileostomy bag and I do not resent that one bit. I am forever grateful. God worked through my doctors and through this surgery to save my life.
Here I am, 8 years later, healthy, strong, and mother to two strong, brilliant, and adventurous boys...our miracle babies. I have a great purpose and I have so much more life to live!
Part of that purpose is standing and fighting with and for others. I advocate to stand in solidarity and raise support for Warriors, like myself, to have access to resources that provide the support they need in the fight. I raise money to further medical advancements, which provide life-saving care and improve the quality of life for those in the fight. I advocate to help save lives.
This year, I have made a commitment to spend Ostomy Awareness Day, Saturday, October 7th, 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 7, 2023 I will participate in the Nashville, TN 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. These surgeries are life-saving and have allowed many people, including myself, to return to living a healthy life.
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. Please consider partnering with me to support Ostomates everywhere 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.
Thank you all for the love, support, and encouragement you have poured out in this journey. I’m so grateful for every one of you!
Sincerely,
Teresa
