Bozeman Chronicle

(This is kind of part 2 of the post below!!)

Now, I also have to say thanks to Dana Klopp who hooked me up with the Chronicle for an interview. It's not that I wanted fame or anything...it's actually a little difficult to go out on the line about something that is so personal, but this is WAY bigger than me....AWARENESS is a huge part of this journey and I'm able to tell my story to a much bigger audience because of her. It was scary to do the interview, but I honestly feel that it is God's will for me to talk about this and to be as much an advocate for others who are suffering as I can be. I don't know what tomorrow holds for me in terms of my Crohn's disease, but I know I have today...and I'm so grateful. If there is someone out there recently diagnosed, who gains some strength from my story, it is WORTH it! If you are that someone, PLEASE call me. 406.209.0277, mailto:jodiedelay@hotmail.com) I will listen ANYTIME. I'll be there for you. The bigger our team of IBD fighters, the better. If you don't have IBD, but have a loved one who does, I'm here for you, too. Let's stick together and one day at a time, one dollar at a time, make lives better.

Being diagnosed with IBD is scary and the challenges can be really significant, but there are a lot of good times too... sometimes it takes awhile to get in remission, some people only have one or two major phases, others have a really long, hard road....but with love and friendship, guidance from a good medical team, discipline and some guts (ha ha, i intended that pun).... life with IBD can be very fulfilling. I know!!!

We have achieved the minimum fundraising goal for this race. It was a challenge for sure, but WOW people came out of the woodwork to help. THANK YOU a million times over....I am forever indebted.

Let me explain a little how this works. In order for the CCFA to be sure that they make a MINIMUM of 83% of their revenue go directly toward finding a cure and improving the lives of people with IBD, they determine a minimum amount that participants have to raise in order for the expenses of the race to account for no more than 17%. If everyone participating in this Team Challenge event raises the minimum, then 83% at least is used for this purpose. If I hadn't raised this minimum, I would be obligated to cover the difference, I had to guarantee at least that much. (This is why the CCFA was one of only 4 organizations out of more than 60 that received an A report card!!)

Now, here is where the fun comes in! Since we've made the minimum, nearly ALL of what we bring in from here on out will go to IBD research and support! How cool is that! We are reducing the overhead percentage with every single dime.

My original goal was $5,000... and I think we can do it..I think we can beat it! What do you think!The prizes for the drawing (1 ticket for every $5.00 donated) to be held on July 17th (basedon donations made by the 16th), so far are:

A beautiful handmade quilt
A cool sculpture of a wildcat
A $25.00 gift certificate for Stampin Up products from Nicole Flournoy (http://www.nicole.stampinup.net/)
A front-end alignment
A bottle of wine from NAPA, California!

Let me know if you are interested in donating another prize!

Finally, look for the feature in the Chronicle in the next week. I want to thank Tim Dumas for his time and just remind you all to be aware of some of the symptoms of IBD. Check out http://www.ccfa.org/ if you have extended fatigue, cold sores in your mouth, pain when eating...even arthritis type pain, etc. Don't WAIT to get digestive issues looked at... sure it may be nothing, and that's great - it cost you a doctor visit, but you benefited from peace of mind. On the other hand, NOT getting help promptly can lead to long term scarring and permanent damage - why risk that! IBD can be very managable for people, but it takes some discipline and being smart, rather than tough!!!

Have a beautiful weekend and if you can, visit my site and make a donation!!
https://www.active.com/donate/napa08national/JDeLay1

jd