To the editor:

Why I will take steps and be heard for Crohn’s and Colitis:

The Inaugural Take Steps & Be Heard for Crohn’s & Colitis Walk will take place Sept. 26, from 4-7 p.m. at Lakes Park. Below is my personal story and why I will “Take Steps.”

A little over one and a half years ago, at the age of 18, my son had just started his freshman year of college, began volunteering as a coaching assistant, and added a full-time job to his daily activities.

He began displaying symptoms of stress and fatigue. He also developed headaches, stomach pains, and lost a large amount of weight. My husband and I thought the stress of his busy schedule was taking its toll on him.

When he refused to cut back on his activities, we sent him to our family physician for further evaluation. Our physician began treating him for migraines and running a series of tests for his other symptoms. It was believed at first, that his stomach pains and weight loss were caused by anxiety.

As the months passed, his symptoms grew increasingly worse. At that time, our physician referred us to a gastro-intestinal physician to evaluate him for the stomach aches and the weight loss.

After speaking with us and reviewing my son’s symptoms and medical history, he immediately gave us the diagnosis Crohn’s disease.

I’ve worked in the medical field for over 20 years and although I was familiar with the disease, I never realized the impact it had on its patients or family members. Until this point, I had not known anyone living with the disease on a daily basis.

The information I found when I began to research Crohn’s disease was disheartening. It may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms vary but may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. It is painful and, as of now, there is no cure.

I wanted to find something that would bring awareness to our community for those who have this disease. While researching I came across the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, CCFA. I contacted them to see if there was a way I could get involved with their organization.

I work for a group of physicians who genuinely care for their employees and treat them like family members. When my son was diagnosed, it was like it was happening to them as well. I spoke with our medical director, Dr. Geoffrey Negin, about doing something for the community that could help those with Crohn’s. It came as no surprise to me when he said “Yes.”

My company, Florida Radiology Consultants, immediately decided to be a corporate sponsor of the inaugural Take Steps Walk in Fort Myers. Florida Radiology Consultants, (FRC) has two imaging facilities in Fort Myers. Florida Radiology Consultants provides a wide variety of imaging procedures, amongst them, procedures to diagnose Crohn’s disease.

Florida Radiology Consultants, along with our staff partner, CCFA Take Steps Director Martha Lagarde, is committed to helping our community. The money raised will go to educational seminars and fund support groups in our area. It will also help young children to go to Camp Oasis, a camp dedicated to serving children with IBD such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, who might not be able to attend other camps, due to health reasons.

Please join me, my immediate family and extended family at Florida Radiology Consultants on Sept. 26, from 4-7 p.m. to Take Steps and be Heard for Crohn’s & Colitis at Lake Park in Fort Myers. There are many ways to participate in the event, including forming a team or walking as an individual. Sponsorship opportunities are available as well. For more information on how you or your business may become involved, visit www.cctakesteps.org/fortmyers or contact Martha Lagarde at mlagarde@ccfa.org or 561-218-2929. For more information on th Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, visit www.ccfa.org

Dawn Neal

Cape Coral