As Michael already told you in his most recent post, we're coming up on the end of our journey. We've got less than $800 to reach our goal and we are so grateful for all the support we have received so far. As a patient, this means a lot to me--each dollar is a step towards a brighter future for me and all the other patients. I don't want to end up like my dad and you--yes YOU--are helping to make that wish a reality. Thank you all. Seriously. You are all heroes to me.
Another hero who deserves recognition is my husband. See, he doesn't really like running, but does it because *I* like to run. So I'm the one who got us signed up for Napa, and then I'm the one who got hurt and had to drop out. Not once has he complained about running without me. Instead, he gets up early and goes out to get his miles in while I'm spending quality time with my pillow. His training seems to be going really well and I think he's going to crack 2:00 again, which will be the first time in years that either one of us has run that good of time. So please, give him a giant round of applause for all his hard work. I'm so blessed to have such a great guy in my corner who is dedicated to finding a cure for IBD.
[And just in case this has you in the giving mood--don't forget, the wine basket raffle is still going on so you can buy tickets today! And if you are in Kansas City, join us on June 30 for trivia at Lew's. Further details were in Michael's previous post or email me with any questions.]
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Crunch Time
This is it - the Final Countdown (insert your own rendition of this awesomely bad song here). Team Golden Colon and the other Team Challenge participants are less than 30 days from our goal - the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon to raise money and awareness for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.
But we still need your help. Currently we are less than $800 from reaching our fundraising goal. Now we'd be remiss if we didn't thank all of you who have already donated - but there are still many good reasons to give more. Chief amongst those reasons are our currently ongoing contests or upcoming events which give you the chance to get some great gifts/prizes in return for your generosity. So in case you need a refresher, here is a list of what we currently have going on:
WINE BASKET RAFFLE
We've mentioned this one a lot, and with good reason - this basket is killer. A $20 donation gets you an entry in the raffle to be held July 4 (or you can get 3 entries for $50). The prize, a basket featuring wines from along the race route and some awesome chocolates, is valued at $200! As things currently stand, each entry has a better than 1-in-20 chance of winning, which is better odds than you're likely to get on just about any other raffle. If you need a refresher on what is included in the basket, or information about how to enter, check out this post from several weeks ago.
You can't tell me this doesn't look good
TRIVIA AFTERNOON AT LEW'S
Sadly, this event is, practically speaking, only available to those of you (and your friends - the more the merrier) in the Kansas City area (or those looking for a reason, other than barbeque, to visit our fair city). Saturday, June 30th at 2:00pm we'll be holding a trivia challenge with one of the Team Challenge mentors at Lew's Bar and Grill in Waldo (SE corner of 75th St. and Wornall). The cost is $10 per participant over the age of 15. For that donation, in addition to a fun afternoon in air conditioning, you'll be eligible for prizes for the top teams and drink specials. Additionally, there will be a raffle ($1 per ticket or $10 for as many tickets as it takes to reach around your waist) for other great prizes.
GUESS THE FINISHING TIME
EXTENDED DEADLINE!!!! Donate $10 (not earmarked for one of the other contests) before race day (July 15) and give your best guess for my finishing time. You must indicate the hours, minutes, and seconds you think it will take me to run the 13.1 mile course. The donor with the closest guess (going over is fine) will receive a bottle of wine from Napa/Sonoma valued at at least $25. Simply enter your guess for my time in the comments section of the online donation form, available via the link in the "Join Team Golden Colon" section to the right.
SPONSORSHIP
I am accepting "sponsorships" for each mile of the race. Simply donate $50 or more before July 14 and indicate the mile you would like to sponsor and the message you would like me to write on my race bib and you will be an official sponsor of Team Golden Colon. Interested in sponsoring my sprint over the final .1 mile? Consider a generous donation of $100.
Hopefully something here grabs your interest. If not, please consider a donation anyway. Together, we can raise this last little bit of money to make Team Golden Colon a success and hopefully help find a cure for Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. Thank you.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Other voices
So far, this blog has included lots of posts about my own personal journey with IBD. The mister has also written on what it is like to marry a sick person. While of course we think our insights are brilliant, there are 1.4 million Americans living with IBD and each of them have family members, which means there are a whole lot of people with their own stories. This year for Kansas City we are fortunate enough to have two local honored heros for our team. They are both college students--Jenna has Crohn's and Peter has ulcerative colitis. I'm so incredibly proud of both of them for sharing their stories and being a part of Team Challenge. When I was in college I did everything I could to hide my illness so I am in awe of their bravery--they really are heros! So without further ado, here are their stories, in their own words, as published on the Kansas City Team Challenge website:
Meet Kansas City's 2012 Summer Season Honorees
Peter Graham
Peter is a 22-year-old student majoring in classical guitar performance at the University of Missouri Kansas City's Conservatory of Music. He is a fun-loving guy and likes to hangout with his friends at school and talk aboutanything music.
On January 20, 2012, a CAT scan revealed free air in his abdomen, which showed evidence of a perforation in his digestive system. He had an emergency surgery that night and most of his colon was removed.
The procedure saved his life, and in the next 3 weeks he went on to have 8 more trips to the operating room to clean out his abdomen with saline solution and to gradually pull the fascia together with the aid of a Wittmann Patch.
The acute illness was due to toxic megacolon, a life-threatening complication of ulcerative colitis. He lost 22 pounds during this traumatic and painful time, and is now in a rehab facility doing physical and occupational therapy, retraining his muscles and learning how to adjust to life as a young man with the recent diagnosis of ulcerative colitis.
Peter needs all the help and support we can give him at this time.
Jenna Olitsky
Hi, I am Jenna Olitsky, from Leawood, Kansas. Currently, I am a junior studying at The University of Kansas, in Lawrence, majoring in Psychology and Pre-Law, with a minor in Jewish Studies and a certification in Global Awareness.
At school, I am heavily involved, whether it is in my sorority, Sigma Delta Tau, as the Vice President of Scholarship and Community Service, or as well a member of Student Union Activities, planning concerts and comedy shows on campus, Student Senate, a member of Right's Committee as the secretary, and a founder of Students Helping Honduras at KU, an international student organization that builds elementary schools for underprivileged villages in Honduras.
Outside of campus, I am a member of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America's National Youth Leadership Council, and work along side 14 other college students around the country to raise awareness and promote the mission CCFA. Besides that, I absolutely love to travel, especially to volunteer in third-world countries and am a huge Kansas Men's Basketball fan! (Rock Chalk!)
I have personally dealt with Crohn's Disease since 2005, during my freshman year of high school, and it has affected my classes, social activities, and other aspects of my life, but nothing that I can't over come!
Meet Kansas City's 2012 Summer Season Honorees
Peter Graham
Peter is a 22-year-old student majoring in classical guitar performance at the University of Missouri Kansas City's Conservatory of Music. He is a fun-loving guy and likes to hangout with his friends at school and talk aboutanything music.
On January 20, 2012, a CAT scan revealed free air in his abdomen, which showed evidence of a perforation in his digestive system. He had an emergency surgery that night and most of his colon was removed.
The procedure saved his life, and in the next 3 weeks he went on to have 8 more trips to the operating room to clean out his abdomen with saline solution and to gradually pull the fascia together with the aid of a Wittmann Patch.
The acute illness was due to toxic megacolon, a life-threatening complication of ulcerative colitis. He lost 22 pounds during this traumatic and painful time, and is now in a rehab facility doing physical and occupational therapy, retraining his muscles and learning how to adjust to life as a young man with the recent diagnosis of ulcerative colitis.
Peter needs all the help and support we can give him at this time.
Jenna Olitsky
Hi, I am Jenna Olitsky, from Leawood, Kansas. Currently, I am a junior studying at The University of Kansas, in Lawrence, majoring in Psychology and Pre-Law, with a minor in Jewish Studies and a certification in Global Awareness.
At school, I am heavily involved, whether it is in my sorority, Sigma Delta Tau, as the Vice President of Scholarship and Community Service, or as well a member of Student Union Activities, planning concerts and comedy shows on campus, Student Senate, a member of Right's Committee as the secretary, and a founder of Students Helping Honduras at KU, an international student organization that builds elementary schools for underprivileged villages in Honduras.
Outside of campus, I am a member of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America's National Youth Leadership Council, and work along side 14 other college students around the country to raise awareness and promote the mission CCFA. Besides that, I absolutely love to travel, especially to volunteer in third-world countries and am a huge Kansas Men's Basketball fan! (Rock Chalk!)
I have personally dealt with Crohn's Disease since 2005, during my freshman year of high school, and it has affected my classes, social activities, and other aspects of my life, but nothing that I can't over come!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Reminders
We've been asking you to buy raffle tickets for our Napa/Sonoma Wine Country Basket raffle for a few weeks now. And while the original description of the contest (viewable by clicking here) covered the basics, it might be nice to have a visual of what, exactly, you're getting if you win.
So, not only is everything in the basket delicious, but it looks good too (and you can use the metal bucket it comes in to hold ice and adult beverages at your next party). We'll even ship it to you for free. Your odds are still outstanding, tickets are only $20 (or 3 for $50), and these items would cost at least $200 in a retail wine store. The raffle runs through July 4, but get your ticket today.
Other events to remind you of:
So, not only is everything in the basket delicious, but it looks good too (and you can use the metal bucket it comes in to hold ice and adult beverages at your next party). We'll even ship it to you for free. Your odds are still outstanding, tickets are only $20 (or 3 for $50), and these items would cost at least $200 in a retail wine store. The raffle runs through July 4, but get your ticket today.
Other events to remind you of:
- Every time you donate $10 (not earmarked for one of the other events) between now and June 30 enter your best guess for my (Michael) finishing time in the race (hint: my PR is roughly 1:52:00). As with the actual run, seconds count! For the contributor who most accurately predicts my finishing time, Katie and I will bring a bottle of wine back from Napa or Sonoma.
- Ever wanted to have the feeling of being rich? Of seeing your name (or your business's name) plastered all over a sporting event? Here's your chance. Between now and July 10 you can become a "sponsor" of a mile in the race. Simply donate $50 and designate which mile (1 through 13) you'd like to sponsor. I'll write your name (or business, organization, inspirational message, or all of the above) on my race attire as a sponsor. A $100 donation sponsors the final tenth of a mile.
- TRIVIA!!!!! Come by Lew's Bar and Grill in Waldo (75th and Wornall, Kansas City MO) at 2:00pm on Saturday, June 30th for a friendly (or not so friendly) afternoon of trivia, drink specials, prizes and a raffle. For more details, click here.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Trivia Challenge!
After an exciting weekend here at Team Golden Colon headquarters during which Katie ended my short reign of dominance at Scrabble (hey, it's exciting for us - don't laugh), we've decided to throw down the gauntlet with the inaugural Team Golden Colon trivia challenge. Intrigued? Feeling smart? Read on to find out more.
Where: Lew's Grill and Bar (corner of Wornall and 75th Street, KCMO) - although this is a bar, it is family-friendly
When: 2:00pm Saturday, June 30
How much: $10 per person minimum donation for contestants over 15 - no limit to how many people can be on a team
Why: Drink specials. Prizes for the top teams. A raffle for other great prizes. A fun way to spend two hours in air conditioning. Even if you lose, you'll feel good about yourself for helping fight Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.
So, think you have what it takes to make Katie and I look dumb (trust me, it isn't hard)? Come prove it June 30 at Lew's!
We will also be selling entries to the wine basket raffle at the trivia challenge - if you need a refresher on what is in the basket or would like to buy your entries in advance, click here.
Where: Lew's Grill and Bar (corner of Wornall and 75th Street, KCMO) - although this is a bar, it is family-friendly
When: 2:00pm Saturday, June 30
How much: $10 per person minimum donation for contestants over 15 - no limit to how many people can be on a team
Why: Drink specials. Prizes for the top teams. A raffle for other great prizes. A fun way to spend two hours in air conditioning. Even if you lose, you'll feel good about yourself for helping fight Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.
So, think you have what it takes to make Katie and I look dumb (trust me, it isn't hard)? Come prove it June 30 at Lew's!
We will also be selling entries to the wine basket raffle at the trivia challenge - if you need a refresher on what is in the basket or would like to buy your entries in advance, click here.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Catching up with an old friend
I love books. Particularly old books. There is nothing as comforting as the smell and the feel of a favorite, well-loved book. While I understand the convenience of them new-fangled e-readers (and honestly, I probably will get one sooner rather than later) reading a physical book is a special experience that can't be duplicated. Books are friends.
Recently, I've catching up with one of my old friends. Miss Anne Shirley and I have enjoyed being reacquainted. I received the Anne of Green Gables series when I was in the first grade. I was a bit of a misfit with an active imagination and a vocabulary larger than my age. While I was certainly not an orphan, my dad was very ill at the time and my mom's attentions were directed towards keeping him alive. We had recently moved away and I had to start over in a foreign land called California. Add to that some health problems of my brother and I felt alone at that time. I needed a friend, and Anne and I were kindred spirits from the very start.
It never ceases to amaze me that every time I read the Anne series, I find something to love. I laugh over the same ridiculous scrapes Anne gets into--thankfully I never dyed my hair green!--and I feel that burning competitiveness with Gilbert Blythe. And when dear old Matthew dies I still cry. And every single time I find something new. This time it was Anne's acceptance of her changed fate, of the "bend in the road." She tells Marilla that she had all her ambitions and her plans (who does that resemble?) and she could see the road stretching out ahead of her. And then, suddenly, there was a bend. She couldn't see around the bend, but she knew it had amazing opportunities too, but it was a change and she just had to see what life had in store. I know that ten years ago, I was like Anne with my life all planned out. And then I had one bend after another. I really like my life now, but I never could have imagined it, and I certainly didn't accept my bends the way Anne accepted hers. (Spoiler alert--Anne's life turned out pretty darn good. So far, mine has too, but I've planning on quite a few more chapters!)
Recently, I've catching up with one of my old friends. Miss Anne Shirley and I have enjoyed being reacquainted. I received the Anne of Green Gables series when I was in the first grade. I was a bit of a misfit with an active imagination and a vocabulary larger than my age. While I was certainly not an orphan, my dad was very ill at the time and my mom's attentions were directed towards keeping him alive. We had recently moved away and I had to start over in a foreign land called California. Add to that some health problems of my brother and I felt alone at that time. I needed a friend, and Anne and I were kindred spirits from the very start.
It never ceases to amaze me that every time I read the Anne series, I find something to love. I laugh over the same ridiculous scrapes Anne gets into--thankfully I never dyed my hair green!--and I feel that burning competitiveness with Gilbert Blythe. And when dear old Matthew dies I still cry. And every single time I find something new. This time it was Anne's acceptance of her changed fate, of the "bend in the road." She tells Marilla that she had all her ambitions and her plans (who does that resemble?) and she could see the road stretching out ahead of her. And then, suddenly, there was a bend. She couldn't see around the bend, but she knew it had amazing opportunities too, but it was a change and she just had to see what life had in store. I know that ten years ago, I was like Anne with my life all planned out. And then I had one bend after another. I really like my life now, but I never could have imagined it, and I certainly didn't accept my bends the way Anne accepted hers. (Spoiler alert--Anne's life turned out pretty darn good. So far, mine has too, but I've planning on quite a few more chapters!)
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