Crohn's Rides?

[LBTC]

Well, it looks like Canada has a ride/run/walk called the Wheel 'n Heel a Thon
http://www.ccfc.ca/English/fundraising/hnwfacts.htm

There was one in Kelowna last June, only a 30 minute drive away. I'll probably look into that one...

Check out how it is done here and see if there's a way to do it this way in your area?

Glad to have found others dealing with this disease, thanks for wanting to help!

Hugs and butteflies,
~T~

[CycleSeashore]

I'm new here and fairly new to cycling. My husband and I just signed up for the NYC ride in June, and so far, we have had nothing but positive experiences with GYGIG.

The organization supports about 5 different charities that support people with Crohn's and Colitis, not just the CCFA. The ostomy association is one of them. When writing the fundraising letter, we were told that it was incorrect to say that the ride supports drug research...it primarily supports the search for a cure as well as patients struggling with IBD. I believe there was a recent announcement for a study just completed at Yale that identified the genes involved in Crohn's/Colitis. CCFA was one of the sponsors, but not the only one.

As to fundraising, it *is* daunting that we have to raise about $2000. That is why we decided that my husband would ride and I would help with the crew (crew members don't have to fundraise). We're really not sure how it's going to go. BUT -- you are not left to struggle on your own with that. If you join the ride, GYGIG gives you a fundraising newsletter with lots of ideas. There is also a yahoo forum where riders can share what worked or didn't work for them. Personally, we're going to put out an envelope in the lunchrooms of our workplaces, have little buttons on our blogs asking for support, and may ask local bike shops if we can hang up a flyer or two. I'll also bet there's a local Crohn's support group that you could meet with, who would be happy to help sponsor your ride or get the word out for you. Some of the patients are too sick to ride, or not interested in riding, but might help financially, since they are as interested in a cure as you are. And it would be great to meet others who are going through the same struggles that you and your husband are facing.

Amanda, I hope you will give the Texas ride a try. This is our first ever charity ride, and we're nervous too, but I think it's going to be a great experience.