My Auntie Peg’s Battle with Crohn's

Hi, my name is Tristan and on 15th March I am attempting to cycle 180 km /112 miles in one day from Cardiff Castle to Pembroke Castle to raise money to help pay for my Auntie's additional medical bills associated with her chronic Chron’s disease. For added support 4 of my mates have offered to accompany me on this journey for a great cause.

My Auntie Peg who lives in the USA has suffered with Crohn's disease for over 20 years. 15 years ago, the tough decision was made to perform a proctocolectomy which is the removal of the entire colon and the rectum which left her with a permanent Ileostomy and a bum wound that never completely healed.

Recently she underwent an operation to relocate her stoma as the original one was extremely herniated along with lining her abdomen with preventative mesh, as well as repairing the bum wound that she had suffered with for 15 years. The surgery went well and her 50cm stomach incision and bum looked good. Less then a week after her discharge from hospital her incisions all started opening up resulting in large deep open wounds that showed no sign of healing. Due to American health insurance restrictions, she was not eligible to be readmitted to hospital until a course of at home wound care treatment carried out by visiting nurses and her family was undertaken for 6 weeks. Finally on boxing day she was readmitted to hospital where she has undergone 2 more surgeries and hopefully will be starting on a new Crohn’s drug which they are pinning all hope on as the wounds are still not showing signs of healing.

Unfortunately, her health insurance reset at midnight Dec.31st 2023 so she must pay an excess of $10,000 before any cost are covered for 2024. All money donated will go towards hospital debt, drugs, supplies and all other uncovered cost that is incurred by people with chronic illnesses.

My Auntie Peg is also my Godmother and I’d love to be able to help her in any way that I can as she has been so supportive of me growing up. In fact, she was my inspiration for pursuing a career in healthcare and ultimately working at Eakin Healthcare, a global ostomy company.

We are extremely close for a family who is separated by a “pond”. However, it’s at times like this that the distance makes me feel so helpless. So, I really appreciate anything you can spare. It will all go such a long way to helping her through this tough time.

Thank You.