Do It Yourself (DIY) Fundraising

I am calling on my community to run and walk a collective 310 miles symbolizing the 3.1 million Americans living with IBD. That's 100 people dedicating just one 5k! 

My goal of this challenge is to raise awareness about Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. More widespread understanding of these conditions can hopefully lead to better futures for patients, diminish harmful stigmas, and expedite a cure. 

To participate, join the Concentric Circles group on Strava (search for Concentric Circles on the Strava app or follow this website: https://www.strava.com/clubs/709157) and run or walk as far as you'd like! Once you join the group, all exercises done in the app will automatically count towards the group's total mileage, so no need to worry about logging runs manually. The challenge will end August 31st. 

If you are able, please also consider donating to help me reach my goal of raising $650 for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. Originally we were aiming for $310 but y'all are so amazing we reached the goal in just 3 days!!! Thank you so much to everyone who has given so far! 

Donating is not required to participate in the walk/run and, if anything, I hope you walk away from this challenge knowing more about these often invisible illnesses. 

Make sure to share with your friends and family and follow my campaign on instagram: @concentric_circles_run_club! 

Thank you and I hope you join me!

- Hannah 

About Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

Known collectively as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis affects almost 1 in 100 people. They are painful, medically incurable diseases with no known cause. Crohn's disease may attack anywhere along the digestive tract, while ulcerative colitis inflames only the large intestine (colon). While IBD primarily attacks the digestive system, some IBD patients develop extraintestinal manifestations of the disease affecting the joints, eyes or skin. Many patients require numerous medications, hospitalizations, and surgeries. Most people develop the diseases between the ages of 15 and 35; however the incidence is increasing in children. 

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation is the largest non-profit, voluntary, health organization dedicated to finding cures for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The Foundation’s mission is to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults who are affected by these diseases. The Foundation works to fulfill its mission by funding research as well as providing educational resources for patients and their families, medical professionals, and the public.