Our latest Cause of the Fortnight, where we showcase one of our causes for two weeks and highlight the impactful work they do, is Crohn’s and Colitis UK.
Who are Crohn’s & Colitis UK?
In 10 years, the amount of people living with Crohn’s and Colitis has risen by 33%. With currently 1 in 123 people living with either Crohn’s Disease or Colitis in the UK, it’s likely that these conditions are cropping up more often in our conversations with family and friends.
Yet because of the stigma and misunderstanding surrounding these diseases, thousands are suffering in silence. Over a quarter of people with Crohn’s and Colitis wait more than a year for a diagnosis. Crohn’s & Colitis UK are making it their mission to make the symptoms of Crohn’s and Colitis common knowledge amongst the general public, and to create awareness and push for early diagnosis of these invisible yet often debilitating conditions.
What is Crohn’s & Colitis UK’s aim?
For many people living with Crohn’s or Colitis, support and understanding can be limited, and others find talking about the conditions can be embarrassing. Crohn’s & Colitis UK aim to support those affected by Crohn’s and Colitis by opening up conversations about the conditions,raising awareness amongst the wider community about what it means to live with Crohn’s and Colitis, and how best to support people affected.
Supporting and empowering people with the condition is paramount, and the charity is able to do this in many incredible ways. This includes:
• Building understanding and awareness of invisible conditions in the workplace to ensure that employers of people living with Crohn’s and Colitis provide an inclusive working environment
• Funding towards driving world class research into the conditions
• Raising awareness and working with health professionals to ensure people have access to early and accurate diagnosis These conditions are lifelong and there is no known cure. CCUK’s tireless efforts mean those affected with either Crohn’s or Colitis have the hope, comfort and confidence to live freer, fuller lives. with the support and consideration they deserve.
Who do Crohn’s & Colitis UK help?
When your gut doesn’t work, the effects can be devastating.
Crohn’s and Colitis don’t just affect the person living with the conditions. They can also have a huge impact on friends and family too. Crohn’s & Colitis UK is there for everyone affected by Crohn’s and Colitis – offering information and support to family members and loved ones.
The stigma surrounding Crohn’s and Colitis can make people feel isolated and alone – at a time when they most need help and support. The charity connects people and helps them find support, understanding, friendship and strength. Local networks across the UK bring people affected by Crohn’s and Colitis together and raise the profile of the conditions.
The charity’s helpline and its online chat function and email support system to give anyone affected by Crohn’s & Colitis the chance to speak freely. Whether people need information about medication, or the financial implications of living with the conditions, the charity are there to guide people affected by Crohn’s and Colitis on how they can be supported with these concerns.
What challenges do you face? fundraising, communities etc
While Crohn’s and Colitis are growing, one of the biggest issues is delayed diagnosis of these conditions. Crohn’s & Colitis UK CEO Sarah Sleet said: “There already were far too many people waiting over a year for a diagnosis before the pandemic. Since then, that figure will have soared.” Nearly half of people living with Crohn’s and Colitis end up in A&E while waiting for a diagnosis.
Knowledge about the conditions and the symptoms is limited, and if you ignore the signs of Crohn’s and Colitis for too long, treatment becomes more difficult and you are more likely to need stronger medication, hospital admissions or surgery.
Crohn’s & Colitis UK’s new early diagnosis campaign aims to give people the confidence and knowledge to take control of their health and get checked by their GP. They are also calling for healthcare professionals and health leaders to ensure that people with suspected Crohn’s and Colitis are appropriately prioritised for diagnosis and receive the best possible treatment
Where does the money go?
Donations to CCUK are used in a multitude of ways to assist those living with or supporting somebody with Crohn’s and Colitis. Much of the funding goes towards its vital support services and information, as well as campaigns to increase early diagnosis and to improve people’s lives.
Donations also help ensure people receive quality care once they are diagnosed. A team of specialist IBD nurses work in local communities and hospitals, so those with Crohn’s or Colitis have access to the advice and care they need, while other donations are used to commission research into these vastly unknown conditions.
How easyfundraising can help CCUK?
As always, easyfundraising is here to make fundraising for a cause such as CCUK simple and at no extra cost to you. To help people living with Crohn’s & Colitis, simply choose CCUK as your cause on the easyfundraising website or app, and continue your shopping as normal through site to register your donation.
If you’d like to nominate your cause to be our Cause of the Fortnight, please join the easyfundraising community on Facebook @easyfundraisingcommunity