This article is sponsored by Healthline. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

I met my husband thanks to a dating site nearly six years ago. I never dreamed I would one day be able to connect with fellow IBD warriors through an app, but hey thanks to Healthline, it’s now possible! Over the next month, I’ll be partnering with IBD Healthline. I am so excited to share my journey using the app and explain how you too can benefit from all its invaluable features.

When I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 21 in 2005, I felt incredibly isolated, alone and scared. Like anyone with chronic illness, it can be difficult to not only articulate theses stresses but find people who genuinely care and empathize. The IBD Healthline app addresses this by providing a safe space to conversate with those who live your reality. By communicating with others in the IBD community, it empowers us and is a reminder that there’s a huge network of support right at our fingertips, 24 hours a day.

My favorite functions of the app

One of my favorite parts of Healthline’s IBD app is how it connects you with one new member each day, based on your disease, age, and lifestyle interests. You can check out fellow member profiles and request to connect, too! I don’t know about you, but the more people I know with IBD, the stronger it makes me feel as I take on the disease.

Healthline’s IBD app is a great gathering place for our community to share experiences, learn from one another and offer support. Many of us tend to sugarcoat our day-to-day experiences, here you can be honest and trust that you won’t be judged for your struggles or setbacks. It’s intuitive and easy to use, whether you’re a patient or a caregiver.

Along with the personal connections, there are medically approved wellness articles and podcasts shared each week on everything from diagnosis to nutrition and self-care tips. The more educated we are about our illness, the better advocates we can be for our care.

Check out the Live Chats

Another great aspect of the app is the “Live Chat” function. Each Healthline Ambassador will be hosting chats in the coming weeks. Save the date—I’ll be hosting a live chat Monday, June 3 about dating, relationships and marriage with IBD. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share my personal insight on this subject matter with you and lead the discussion. It’s my hope my words and patient journey will comfort you and give you hope as you navigate life with IBD.

This free app is brand new and was just launched this month. You can download it onto Apple and Android devices by searching for “IBD Healthline”. As patients we are up against so many unknowns, this app is a great constant to have as you deal with the feel-good days and the not so good days. I look forward to connecting with you all!

You can access the free IBD Healthline app here: https://go.onelink.me/LOC7/6dae5800.