Climbing for Crohn’s Colorado (CFCC) is a non-profit organization aimed at raising awareness and funds for Crohn’s disease, encouraging research, support and education by climbing mountains around the world. We started CFCC as a way to use our love of the outdoors, hiking and mountain climbing to help my spouse, Mark, and others like him who are affected by this disease. Fighting a chronic illness
like Crohn’s takes more than just physical strength. It takes daily hard work, mental perseverance, patience and the strength to keep pushing yourself everyday when you feel like quitting. Much like climbing a mountain! There is an estimated 5 million people in 36 countries world wide living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, with no known cause or cure. And the rate of diagnosis is increasing. In the US alone, in 2015, an estimated 1.3% of US adults (3 million) reported being diagnosed with IBD (either Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis). This was a large increase from 1999 (0.9% or 2 million adults). Imagine what such a debilitating and painful disease can do to a person’s life – physically and emotionally. Most Crohn’s patients suffer alone and in silence. The illness is still mired in secrecy, embarrassment, ignorance and fear, which all add to the suffering of those afflicted. With a diagnosis of Crohn’s comes many different medications, new diets, tests, x-rays, side effects, steroids, doctors, time off work and always the threat of surgery. Nearly 70% of all Crohn’s patients will require surgery. Besides the physical pain there is a lot of mental anguish and frustration. Frustration over the lack of control you have over your body, your life, your career and your finances. The average cost for a Crohn’s patient is nearly $30,000 per year, and as of now it is considered a lifelong illness. It is our goal to raise awareness of this disease by organizing mountain climbs around the world. We believe that more people should know about the disease so raising awareness is our biggest goal. By bringing our cause to the high altitude peaks in some of the most rugged regions we believe we can capture the attention of a bigger audience. We intend to summit all of the Colorado 14ers, Mt. Baker (Washington) and Mt. Rainier (Washington) with a the goal to pursue other high-altitude peaks around the world. It isn’t easy emotionally, physically, or financially but it is our mission to raise funds which will be donated to Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) and other organizations who use these funds to further research cures for Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis and improving lives of those affected. Please help by donating or finding out how you can sponsor our cause. We believe that raising awareness is the key to finding a cure for this disease. By making a donation you are helping us to raise awareness.
