In celebration of 5 years of wellness, I have run a series of races in support of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA).
17/06/06: DC Tri Club Sprint Triathlon, Haines Pt., DC. Time: 1:25.
25/06/06:
Lake
Montclair Olympic Triathlon,
Montclair, VA. Time: 3:01.
16/07/06: Steelman Olympic Triathlon,
Quakertown, PA. Time: 2:45.
22/07/06: DC Tri Club Sprint Triathlon, Haines Pt., DC. Time: 1:18.
30/07/06: Charlottesville Olympic Triathlon, Charlottesville, VA. Time: 2:36.
20/08/06: Orillia Short-Course Triathlon,
Orillia, Ontario. Time: 1:50.
16/09/06: Odyssey ½ Ironman Triathlon, Lake Anna
, VA. Time: 4:57, 9th overall, 3rd in age grp (!!!)
05/11/06: New York
Marathon, NY, NY. Time: 3:17:34, 2,322nd of 37,954 finishers.
Nine years of living with Crohn’s Disease nearly killed me in 2001. Thanks to great care at
Georgetown, a dedicated family, loyal friends, a patient employer and a body accustomed to running marathons, I lived and healed.
But the Crohn’s came back with a vengeance in 2002. Were it not for the development of a pathbreaking drug called Remicade, I would likely be sicker than I had ever been. Instead, my Crohn’s has largely been beaten into remission.
I hope you will join me in raising money for the CCFA’s ongoing research efforts. The study that led to Remicade was funded by the CCFA. And better drugs are needed. Many Crohn’s patients cannot tolerate Remicade, it doesn’t work for everyone, and it's expensive. What’s more, Remicade only controls Crohn’s disease; we’re still a long way from a cure.
Crohn’s research is underfinanced and underexposed because Crohn’s hits an area of the body we’d all rather not discuss. But over one million North Americans are affected by Crohn’s and related conditions. I know that you have many demands on your charitable resources, but please consider adding the CCFA to your giving priorities.
All donations go directly to the CCFA's research funds. Please indicate a nick name or 'Anonymous' when prompted by the website if you would like your donation to be unattributed. Firstgiving.com will still send you a confirmation email/receipt for tax purposes. Contact me if you need an alternative arrangement.
IMF colleagues: please save the confirmation email that is issued from the website for your donation. I will handle the details on ensuring a 50 percent match by the Fund on your donations between now and the end of 2006, but I may need that email for proof of your contribution.
Many thanks for your AMAZING support -- and please forward this as you think appropriate. With my run through the 5 borroughs of NY, the 2006 Tour de la Fortitude Intestinale is coming to an end, but this site will still be accepting donations until Dec. 31. Onward to 2007!
Brett
Offline sponsors:
Bernardin Akitoby
Toni Carpenito
Selim Elekdag
Bradley Heller
Sarah McWhirter and Russell Vance
Mary and Doug Ransom
Anne Williams