Due diligence materials

I realize that I haven't really posted anything detailing the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) and its efforts to end Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis.  Which was not the smartest move on my part, given that I'm asking you all to part with hard-earned dollars just because I say it will make my life better.  But really, this isn't oceanfront property in Arizona I'm trying to sell.

CCFA consistently meets the standards of organizations that monitor charities, including the American Institute of Philanthropy, Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, and Charity Navigator.  Over the years, CCFA has provided more than $150 million for Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis research.  Even though CCFA is not as well-funded as similar illness-based charities, it still manages to use a greater percentage of its revenue for research than its peer charities.  If you really like crunching numbers (I know some of you do), you can check out the more detailed information at CCFA's website.  

I know that I'm personally extremely grateful for CCFA's work.  Because of its research, I can usually lead a pretty normal life.  However, there's more to be done, as my medications don't always keep me out of flares.  And really, it wasn't very much fun needing to know where every bathroom is located in DeBartolo Hall.  I spent my senior year of college running out of classrooms as soon as lecture ended, not because of senioritis, but because I needed to get to the bathroom immediately.  There was the Fourth of July festival I skipped out on because of lack of bathroom facilities.  Or how about that time in a new city trying to meet friends where I declined an invite to go out with a friend and her friends because I was scared of spending the whole night in a dirty bar bathroom?  Oh, can't forget about all those nights I rushed home so that my husband wouldn't see me scrubbing the toilet to get rid of bloodstains.  Or when I lost so much blood that I couldn't climb a single flight of stairs without gasping for air.  And let me tell you, taking the LSAT during a flare is AWESOME!  The notorious game section is already time sensitive and I lost a good several minutes while I tried not to have an accident.  This is what life is like for an IBD patient, even one whose illness is considered to be under control.  Every single dollar helps CCFA improve treatment options for patients so that we patients can live a little easier.


And don't worry, I'll return to funny footwear blog posts soon.