Stories from the Gut 2021

Sophomore year of college, at 19 years old, I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. I had never heard of this "disease" and did not want to believe that my life was going to be changed in any way. Almost 20 years later, I am being recognized as the 2021 Rising Community Leader in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. This award will be presented by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation's New England Chapter at their annual Young Professionals event, Stories from the Gut, on June 24th. (Learn more here). Can you believe it?!? I sure as heck didn't expect this disease and foundation would play such a prominent role in my life.

In 2005, I joined Camp Oasis, the Foundation's camp for children with Crohn's and Colitis, as a counselor, and went back for about 10 more years! I made some of my best friends at this camp and learned so much about my disease and myself. My experience with these incredibly brave kids inspired me to do more to fight this disease on a bigger level. 

In 2013, I co-founded the Young Professional's group and at our first "Night In White" event, we raised just over $40,000. Only five years later, in my final year as president, we raised over $115,000!! Over those five years I served as president, this dedicated and hard-working group of young professionals (most of whom are personally affected by the disease) raised $413,372! The group has since grown tremendously and last year in the midst of the pandemic they raised over $120,000 virtually! I am incredibly proud of this group and all they have accomplished for the Foundation and the next generation....which is why this award is so special to me. I am so humbled and honored. 

This is also why I am dedicated to making this my biggest and best fundraising year yet! Please join me in supporting the Foundation as it fights to cure IBD through ground-breaking research, education, and social-emotional support. 

Thank you so much for all your support throughout my time with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation! I couldn't do any of it without you!