9 years ago, when I was 10 years old, I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. I was hospitalized for 9 days and left only because I had no insurance and my mom couldn't afford the hospital care. Since then, I've dealt with depression, fear of food, fear of leaving my house, and incredible stress. There has only been one point of remission, in which I felt no symptoms for almost two months. Typically, I'll have a flare every day for at least 3 hours. It's become part of my life more than I could have ever imagined.

According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), nearly 1.4 million Americans are living with Crohn's Disease, yet many people have never even heard of the disease. It is primarily diagnosed in children, however it can be found at any age.

The primary symptoms of Crohn's Disease are extreme stomach pains, frequent and often prolonged visits to the restroom, and damage to structures within and outside of the body. While not fatal, Crohn's is a chronic illness. It never goes away, although, like some other ailments, it can go through a remission where symptoms go away. While not in this state of remission, Crohn's can greatly affect the way a person lives their life. While the disease is flaring up, it can cause a lack of appetite, extreme stress, depression, and even a fear of eating.

No cure is available, despite ongoing research. While there are treatments for the disease, none are one hundred per-cent guaranteed to cause symptoms to recede, because Crohn's is different from person to person.

Please sign this petition in hopes of raising awareness of this stressful and meddling disease. Let's show this wonderful organization that we are aware and are willing to support. If we can do this, the CCFA will have more aid in their research and hopefully better the lives of those 1.4 million Americans.