Putting The IBD Bill Into Perspective

Quick! When is "Breast Cancer Awareness Month"?

I'm sure a large majority of you reading this know the answer is October.

The American Cancer Society has developed an effective campaign to educate women on the importance of getting mammograms. I know there is a growing controversy that is currently being debated among doctors, scientists and patients about mammogram screenings. However, that debate aside, early detection has helped save the lives of thousands of women and brought breast cancer awareness to the the forefront of people's minds.

Now, what month is dedicated to "Inflammatory Bowel Disease"...what week...what day?

I think you can see the parallel I'm trying to make here. Early detection through colonoscopies and endoscopies can help patients find an effective treatment program for IBD.

Sadly, the awareness for Crohn's disease and colitis is no where near as wide-spread as cancer, diabetes or Parkinson's disease.

Yet, when you look at the signs and symptoms of IBD, you would have to agree that something needs to be done.

Far too many people (many of whom are children and teens) turn a blind eye to their symptoms because they just don't know what is causing their pain or are embarrassed to talk about it.

By shining a light on IBD, the general public will have a better understanding and that uncomfortable stigma can be taken away.

15 - 20 years ago, if you saw a chemotherapy patient who had lost their hair, you might have pointed...some may have silently laughed behind their back. Now, you have a better understanding as to why they lose their hair and have compassion for them.

IBD patients are looking for that same compassion.

Talking about bathroom visits, flatulence and diarrhea are usually used in a joking manner.

For those of us with IBD, it's not a joke...it's our lives.

Now, don't get me wrong, we all have a pretty good sense of humor (we kind of have to), but we do ask for your understanding.

Let's help the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America establish an effective awareness campaign!

Call your local legislators and ask them to co-sponsor "The IBD Research and Awareness Act".

By supporting this bill, we can help thousands of patients who suffer silently and let them know that they are not alone.

Cheers,

Brent