Yes, I'm really serious about shaving my head*

*Provided that we exceed our fundraising goal of $8,000 by June 1, 2012!

I've gotten a lot of questions and comments about my little, um, incentive.  Yes, I am serious.  Those of you who have known me for awhile know that if I say I'm going to do something, I do it. This includes shaving my head if the necessary precondition is met.  And yes, I'll post video/pictures if we meet our goal so please, go ahead and share this link to the entire world.  The more awareness of this project, the better.

I've also been asked "WHY!?!?!?!"  Well, honestly, it is a way to bring more awareness about Crohn's and UC.  For 10 years, I hid my disease from most people.  Bathroom issues could easily be explained as too much ice cream the night before or other poor dietary choices.  I would take my midday medications quickly, when no one was looking.  Being of Northern European ancestry, I'm pretty pale, which can explain some minor anemia.  (Unfortunately the bluish tint to my lips that occurs when my hemoglobin drops below 7 is a bit harder to explain!)  Basically, unless you were a Trusted Friend or family member, you probably didn't know I was battling a serious chronic illness and you certainly didn't know that it had killed my father. 

Hiding my disease was great for me--I didn't have to deal with that awful look of pity I sometimes get when I tell my story and as long as other people didn't know I was sick I could pretend that I was "normal"--but it was bad for research dollars.  The only way that IBD research will ever be properly funded is if people like me share their stories.  One in 200 Americans is living with one of these diseases right now.  That's a whole lot of people.  But if we patients all hide our diseases (and OF COURSE we want to hide our illnesses, just look at the symptoms!) no one will ever realize how prevalent the diseases are and no one will prioritize research into IBD.  And if I have to shave my head to get those research dollars, then so be it.  I'm happy to do it in order to find a cure. 

We can split the atom and put a man on the moon--we can find a cure for IBD.  Last night we had our Team Challenge Kick Off Party and I became even more dedicated to the cause.  One of my teammates is a mom whose six year old daughter has had her colon removed.  This same woman is also a wife whose husband has also had his colon removed.  I can't imagine how hard it is for patients fighting IBD to see their children bear this burden as well.  The only good thing about my dad's death is that he didn't have to deal with my diagnosis, as I have no doubt that my diagnosis would have killed him.  Listening to that mom tell her story, it hit me--their story may be my history, but I'll be darned if I'm going to let it be my future without a fight.