What is Crohn's disease?
Crohn's disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the digestive system. For an unknown reason, the body fights the digestive system as if it were a disease. Crohn's most commonly hits the ileum (that place where the small and large intestines meet), but can attack literally any part of the digestive system.

What is the difference between Crohn's and Colitis?
Colitis is a sister of Crohn's, and together they make Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). In both conditions, there is inflammation of the intestine. But ulcerative colitis affects just the colon, while Crohn's can affect any portion of the gastrointestinal tract. Also, ulcerative colitis affects the inner lining only, while Crohn's can affect the full thickness of the bowel wall.

Is there a cure?
No... hence the fundraiser.

How is it treated?
It is treated through diet, exercise, an insane amount of medication, and a good attitude.

Do any famous people have Crohn's or Colitis?
Some celebrities with IBD are our President's brother, Marvin Bush; Saves The Day singer, Chris Conley; television bad girl, Shannen Doherty; Pearl Jam guitarist, Mike McCready; Miss America 1959, Mary Ann Mobley; and former U.S. Presidents John F. Kennedy and Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Is Crohn's common?
There are varying statistics, but the most common statistic states that one in 750 people has Crohn's. (This statistic is not accurate of Lawrence County, where the percentage of people with Crohn's disease seems to be higher.)

Why raise funds for Crohn's?
CCFA does lots of great things, and they need funds to help them. One of the things CCFA does is fund research for a cure. They also pass legislation that helps those with IBD financially in the event they are unable to work. Education is also important to CCFA, and they use some funds to raise awareness of IBD.