Help Beth battle Ulcerative Colitis and get her life back

Four years ago, in the middle of the lockdown and pandemic, and with a newborn baby, my big sister Beth was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis , an inflammatory bowel disease. In Beth's case this disease has been debilitating and resulted in an extreme decrease in quality of life. Only one year earlier, Beth had also suffered from Bell's Palsy during her pregnancy, resulting in paralysis of half of her face which required extensive treatment, and which she continues to suffer from (falling into only 5% of people who do not recover from this in the few months after giving birth). Following doctor's recommendations Beth has tried various medications and treatments - 5-ASA, steroids, biologics - Entyvio, enemas, supplements etc. She's suffered allergic reactions, worsening of symptoms and the disappointment of promising medications promptly stopping to work without explanation. In addition to medications, Beth has tried all the diets - carnivore, gluten-free, dairy-free etc, with only small glimmers of hope. She continues to take various herbs and supplements, which cost over $400/month. She has visited naturopaths, GI specialists, functional doctors - none of which seem to offer solutions which work long-term.

Beth is currently suffering from a 9-month flare up, which is severely impacting her ability to live a normal life. She suffers extreme fatigue, substantial weight loss, the inability to eat and has up to 10 bowel movements a day, making it impossible to work full time or take care of her family. Ulcerative colitis causes extreme stomach cramping and pain, bloody and mucous filled stool, and ongoing discomfort. Most recently Beth has been diagnosed with anemia as she is simply unable to eat or keep iron in her body. The basic things, like leaving the house to go out for dinner with her family, have become near impossible.

Prior to this diagnosis, Beth was leading an active, vibrant, fulfilled life, having moved back to Canada to start her family and be closer to her aging parents and enjoy the Canadian outdoors again. She is dedicated to her faith and wants to get her health back to participate in her new community in Edmonton, run and bike with her son, go hiking and camping with friends and family. As the primary earner at the moment for her family, she wants to simply be able to work and take care of them. She has been searching for ways to heal this disease, rather than apply further band-aid solutions such as immunosuppressant medications or removing her colon, which is all the doctors can recommend now. She is seeking out a support system and community which will help her have a holistic approach to healing.

The good news is there is a promising approach to try, where Beth can learn from others having gone through this experience and access information, therapy, supplements and nutritional support to heal. The cost is high, and as Beth is unable to currently work full time and her husband has recently suffered an injury and is recovering from surgery, she needs help to make this possible. We are asking for support to help raise money for Beth to try this treatment and be able to get her life back!

Funds will be used to:

Anyone who has suffered from IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) knows that it can be all consuming and impact every part of your daily life. We want to see Beth back to the active, energetic, adventurous sister, friend and mother that we know she can be! We thank you for any support you can give to help Beth tackle this chronic and debilitating disease.

Tina (Beth's Sister) and family