Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, 16-year-old Meg is serving as an inspiration to a group of DFW-area residents training for the July 19 Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s program, Team Challenge (www.ccteamchallenge.org). Novice and expert athletes in DFW, which will be trained to run or walk by professional coaches for 16 weeks beginning at the end of March, are also fundraising for the Foundation to raise awareness of and funds for the 1.4 million Americans suffering from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, chronic and painful digestive diseases for which there is no cure. Individuals who are interested in an experience of a lifetime while raising funds for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patients can attend an information meeting in March.
Before the age of 6, Meg loved ballet, soccer and was great at karate. However, the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis explained her difficulty feeding, extreme weakness, upset stomach, abdominal cramps and passing blood. She went from very athletic to very sick almost overnight. Medications like prednisone left her moon faced and with joint pain that made it difficult to get out of bed. By the age of 9 she had already endured several colonoscopies.
At age 14 she thought that she would have her entire colon removed to improve her disease. However, CT scans showed that not only her colon, but also her small bowel were diseased and thickened indicating Crohn’s disease and eliminating her as a candidate for this type of surgery.
Meg states “The truth is Ulcerative Colitis & Crohn’s disease are lifelong and debilitating. It changes your life and your ability to be like others. It involves constant restroom trips, needing days off, and being exhausted when you try to keep up with “normal” daily activities.” She now takes 9 medicines for breakfast and is getting ready to go back on prednisone and injectable biologicals because her disease is still not in remission.
However, she does not want people to feel sorry for her and has chosen to speak in public for others like her. She is making an impact fighting and sharing her story and with the help of CCFA is working for a cure. Her mom did the Vegas half marathon with Team Challenge in 2013 and Meg finished her first half marathon in Dallas in December and was asked to be a local hero. Her friends and family have jumped into supporting fundraising for Team Challenge.
“Millions of people, including more and more children every day, are suffering from the emotional and physical impacts of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis,” says Staci Brown, National Event Director. “Since 2007, Team Challenge participants have trained for half marathons while raising millions of dollars to better the lives of patients. Team Challenge continues to give countless patients hope for a life without Crohn’s or colitis.”
Interested participants can learn more about how they can run or walk 13.1 miles and help make a change by visiting www.ccteamchallenge.org or by calling 972-386-0607.
