Hi, I’m Joe Degenfelder, and I’m planning to support for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, Inc. through cycling in 2026. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2011 and have since lost my colon due to the disease. This year, I'll be setting a goal of cycling at least 6000 miles by December 31st, 2026 and donating 10 cents for every mile completed at year end. My goal is not only to raise money for a cause close to me, but to show others living with IBD that we are capable of overcoming the chronic symptoms we live with every day.
Ways to Donate:
- You can donate a flat amount at anytime
- Or let me know if you'd like to commit to a per-mile contribution at the end of the year (please note that I cycled 7000 miles in 2025 and may exceed my 6000 mile goal by more than 1000 miles depending on my schedule, weather, etc). I will reach out at the end of the year to let you know final mileage.
Any one-time donations of $100 and above or per-mile donations of 2 cents or more are welcome to submit a challenge for me to complete along the way(examples: Ride 50 miles in one day, 600 miles in one month etc.) and I will complete all challenges within my abilities.
To contact me regarding per mile donations or to submit a challenge for me to complete, please use the contact button below if we are not personally acquainted.
About the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation:
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation foundation is on a mission to find a cure while improving the quality of life for individuals battling these challenging conditions.
Your generous donations will help support vital research and crucial patient programs. Here’s how your contribution can make a difference:
- Funding groundbreaking research initiatives aimed at developing effective treatments and ultimately a cure.
- Providing educational resources and support services to help patients and families navigate their journey with IBD.
Every dollar counts and brings us closer to a world free from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Thank you for your support!
You can follow my progress on Strava:
Otherwise, I will update current mileage below at least once per month:
93 miles as of Jan 6th, 2026
Organizer
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, Inc.
Beneficiary