Katie Boag

On Saturday, November 30, I’ll be taking on a 50k trail run through my hometown on the Surf Coast. What started as a personal challenge has evolved—and guess what? I’m going to ask for donations!

I’d like to raise awareness for Crohn's and colitis. These conditions can really impact both physical health and emotional well-being, and having strong support is key to managing them.

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s at 16 after a tough journey to get the right answers. I dealt with severe symptoms during my childhood, and at 18, I lived with a colostomy bag for eight months.

So, what is Crohn’s disease?

It’s a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, with symptoms that can vary widely. In Australia, around 100,000 people are living with Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, and that number is on the rise.

We don’t fully understand what causes Crohn’s, but it seems to be a mix of genetic, environmental, and immune factors. Basically, the immune system goes haywire and attacks the digestive tract, leading to inflammation.

While there’s no cure yet, treatments focus on managing symptoms and preventing complications.

I’d love your help in raising funds for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation Australia, which is vital for supporting research and providing both practical and emotional support for those affected.

Any donation, big or small, will help fund important research and initiatives that truly make a difference for patients and their families.

On top of raising some $$, I also hope that my efforts might spark conversations and help people who struggle to open up about these conditions!

Thanks a ton for your support!