It’s no surprise as a non-profit The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation relies on donations to fund research to find cures for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and sustain support programs for people living with Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. But did you know there is a Do It Yourself (DIY) fundraising opportunity for anyone interested in raising money for the cause beyond their major campaigns like Take Steps and Team Challenge? This week on Lights, Camera, Crohn’s, here’s a look at how our community has risen to the challenge in the past and how you can get involved now.

How does DIY Fundraising Work?

If you’re interested in taking the reins and fundraising, you can create and manage your own fundraising activities based on your interests and motivation. The money you raise helps support research for finding a cure for) IBD. The Foundation staff offers one-on-one support, fundraising tools, and resources to help you along the way.

Michael Osso, President and CEO of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation says it is incredibly inspiring to see the Crohn’s and colitis community come together with such creativity and passion to raise awareness and funds for the mission to find cures and improve the lives of the 1 in 100 Americans with IBD.

“From walking 100 miles to hosting charity hikes in Alaska and livestreaming gaming events, our supporters have come up with innovative and impactful ways to turn their ideas into personalized fundraisers through our DIY program. I am deeply grateful for every person who gets involved because together we are unstoppable in our fight against IBD,” said Michael.

Melissa Scott serves as the National Marketing Manager for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. She says  volunteers have been hosting their own fundraisers since the Foundation’s inception. About four years ago, during the pandemic, the program was formalized, with a dedicated team, toolkits, and fundraising platform specifically for DIY fundraising. 

“Every contribution, regardless of its size, plays a crucial role. The cumulative impact of our DIY fundraisers, big or small, is vital in our ongoing efforts to fund research and move closer to finding cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Each fundraiser, by raising awareness and funds, helps us advance  our goal of improving the lives of those affected by IBD,” said Melissa.

Inspiring DIY fundraising efforts

The sky is the limit and the options to raise money are, too. Oftentimes as IBD patients and caregivers, we may feel our well-being and health is out of our control. DIY Fundraising is a tangible way to make a difference and recognize how supported the IBD community is within your inner circle and among your peers. Not only are you raising money. but you’re raising awareness about your reality and educating others about IBD, which is priceless.

Stasia, an IBD warrior, hosted the “Alaska Hike for IBD Cures.” She made this happen by asking her network of friends, family members, and local businesses to donate in support of her mission and to join her on the hike. Stasia wants the IBD community to know that “Even if you don’t raise a lot of money that single dollar can pay for a test tube that might holds the cure.”

Robby founded “Gaming for Guts” 10 years ago. This is a team of online gamers who raise money for IBD and provide funds to support the Foundation’s mission. Robby says, “the first year we had two people participate, now we have a whole team and we’ve raised more than $20,000 for the cause.”

As a high school student with IBD, Hala used her love for baking to drive donations. She hosted a bake sale as part of her senior project. “I knew I wanted to do a bake sale and DIY is so customizable, it was perfect for me to raise funds in a meaningful way,” she said.

Ilie, Mack, Charlie, Lawson, and Thompson created “Dilworth Kids for Crohn’s and colitis Cures” and hosted a lemonade stand during the Dilworth Historic Home Tour. With the help of the Foundation, the kids had marketing materials to help get the word out.

How to learn more and get involved

As a trustworthy source in the IBD community, The Foundation is the driving force in the development of next-generation treatments and personalized medicine for IBD. The Foundation has played a role in every major research and treatment breakthrough in IBD. DIY Fundraising is a vital tool in helping the Foundation continue its quest for better treatments and cures, while also allowing for our voices to be heard. By getting creative, taking the plunge, and seeing where it takes you, you may feel more empowered and supported on your patient journey.

You can learn more about the Foundation’s DIY program (including livestream and gaming opportunities) here. Interested in getting started? Email the DIY team directly: diy@crohnscolitisfoundation.org