Announcing $3K in 3 Weeks — Help beat Crohn’s and colitis

$3K in 3 Weeks is a special effort I’ve established to raise both awareness and at least $3,000 to help defeat Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis — hence $3K in 3 Weeks.

The effort runs from today (Sunday, November 15) through Sunday, December 6 when I will run the 13.1‑mile Las Vegas Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon to demonstrate my commitment to defeating Crohn’s and colitis. (What are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis? Read an overview of these diseases and their impact at the end of this article. )

In recent years, we’ve seen dramatic advances in the understanding of these devastating diseases, to the point where our knowledge has already begun to improve the lives of those with Crohn’s and colitis (an estimated 1.4 million people in the U.S. alone). And recently one researcher after another has begun telling us the same thing:

“We know what remains to be done — the only thing standing between us and a cure is money.”

That’s right — money has become the critical factor in helping find a cure. Here’s how you can help: 

• Make a donation during $3K in 3 Weeks
• Tell everyone you know about $3K in 3 Weeks, and ask them to help us achieve a cure
• Visit this website throughout $3K in 3 Weeks to learn the very latest about research progress

Here’s some of what you’ll see on this website during the next three weeks:

• Daily articles about current research, recent discoveries and the progress being made in Crohn’s and colitis research
• Stories about individuals and families who meet the challenge of living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
• Ongoing updates about the $3K in 3 Weeks effort

At the conclusion of $3K in 3 Weeks, I’ll run the the Las Vegas half marathon to further raise awareness and funds necessary to defeat Crohn’s and colitis.1 As an individual who has lived with Crohn’s disease for 35 years, running a half marathon is a great way to illustrate how I work every day to overcome my physical and health limitations.

Please join me2 as part of the $3K in 3 Weeks effort. Every bit makes a difference — whether you can give $25 or $250, please help.

Thank you for your generous support!

About Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, known collectively as inflammatory
bowel diseases (IBD), are painful, medically incurable digestive diseases. Ap-
proximately 1.4 million Americans are afflicted, including over 140,000 chil-
dren. Most often striking young adults, IBD exacts a heavy toll in acute care,
and can often involve multiple surgeries, hospitalizations, and in rare cases,
untimely death. Although we have made significant progress in treating Crohn’s
disease and ulcerative colitis in recent years, we do not yet have cures or means
of prevention.

—Excerpted from Voices of Progress, CCFA Annual Report 2008

Additional Articles

Click to view all of the $3K in 3 Weeks articles
Notes:

1. CCFA — Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America — is the official charity of the Las Vegas Marathon and Half Marathon. [↩]
2. I wouldn’t ask others to donate if I wasn’t doing the same. Since my first job in high school, I have been a regular donor to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. In recent years, I’ve also volunteered for Crohn’s related efforts and incorporated Crohn’s disease research funding into my estate planning. [↩]