Hello friends and family of Big Ham AKA Branden Bell,

I Sal Gumina, am writing this from the ICU in San Francisco for my brother Ham. Most do not know that Ham this time last year got very ill and ended up in the hospital for stomach pains. After many tests and weeks of in and out of the doctors he was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis - for those who don’t know what that is, here is a run down.

What is Ulcerative Colitis and Why I Need Your Help

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is more than just a medical condition—it’s a life-changing battle that affects every part of daily life. For those people living with it, it means navigating pain, uncertainty, and the financial burden of constant care. I’m sharing this because Ham needs your support in this fight.

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease where the immune system attacks the colon (large intestine), causing inflammation and painful ulcers in its lining. This leads to persistent symptoms that are often debilitating.

For Ham, UC feels like a relentless storm inside his body—causing sharp abdominal pain, extreme fatigue, constant trips to the bathroom, and moments where just getting through the day feels impossible.

What Causes UC?

Doctors don’t fully understand why UC happens, but they believe it’s a combination of:

• Immune system issues, where the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues.

• Genetics, since it often runs in families.

• Environmental triggers, like infections, stress, or diet, that can make the disease worse.

While there’s no cure yet, treatment can help manage it. But the cost of care—medications, specialists, hospital stays, and lifestyle adjustments—adds up quickly.

Why This Disease is So Hard

One of the hardest parts of living with UC is how unpredictable it is. Flare-ups can come out of nowhere, leaving Ham unable to work, or even enjoy the simplest parts of life. During bad episodes, the pain, bleeding, and exhaustion make even getting out of bed a challenge.

UC doesn’t just affect the body; it impacts mental health, relationships, and finances. The constant worry about what the next day will bring makes this an exhausting battle.

The Risks Without Proper Treatment

Without proper care, UC can lead to severe complications:

• Colon cancer: Long-term inflammation increases the risk.

• Severe bleeding: Chronic blood loss can cause anemia.

• Toxic megacolon: A dangerous, life-threatening condition where the colon swells and may rupture.

• Surgery: In extreme cases, removing the colon may become the only option, leading to permanent lifestyle changes.

Ham had an extremely hard time all winter, and into spring. He had to leave his job because he physically could not do it anymore. Once officially diagnosed, he begun transfusions and medication to hopefully calm the flair up down, as this disease will always be present as long as the lower colon is there. Being that it comes and goes makes it difficult to deal with.

The transfusions and medication started to work and he was feeling better. Unfortunately, never made it to the point of being able to get back to work. Walking around for too long still left him tired and fatigued. Around mid summer he lost his disability and medical thanks to our lovely ran state and medical services. That is where everything went down hill. Our close group of friends and family have been pulling together to take care his finances due to him not being able to work.

Around October, Ham started feeling more discomfort, more frequent bathroom trips and more and more food and drinks he couldn’t consume. A few days after Thanksgiving he went to the Sutter ER where they said his colon was inflamed. Steroid and morphine, then sent him on his way. In the mean time we went to work on establishing medical which was denied.

From the last ER trip to December 18th was nothing but a struggle. Everyday more pain, and the life draining from him. He couldn’t eat, sleep or drink. December 18th he was brought to Sutter ER in Santa Rosa, again. CT showed inflamed colon which we always knew. Sutter ER Santa Rosa did nothing but pump him full of morphine, OxyContin and steroids. All while his condition worsened, but we were being told he was fine and would be going home in a day or two.

Monday December 23rd, Ham texted to let me know he was going on a helicopter ride to SF ASAP for emergency surgery. I was already on my way to see him when I got the text. Helicopter couldn’t fly due to weather (Ham was very bummed about that, the age old saying when pigs fly was about to come true)

Second CT scan 5 days into his stay at Sutter Santa Rosa, he developed holes in his lower colon and needed immediate surgery to remove the lower intestine and have a colostomy bag put in.

We followed him to SF and he came out of surgery around 5AM on Tuesday morning. He was doing ok, but the pain was unmanageable and his heart rate couldn’t be kept under control. He was transferred to the ICU.

Today, as I write this from his bed side, it is December 28th and we are still in the ICU.

Jessica (his amazing girlfriend) and I have been commuting to the city since Monday, arriving when visitors hours open, and staying until they kick us out. Unfortunately, due to Ham being in the ICU, we cannot stay here over night which has added to the stress as Ham cannot make many decisions by him self due to the heavy medications and extensive surgery.

Along with the added stress, it has unfortunately become a financial hardship. It is costing around $100 dollars per day to come to SF to make sure my brother, your brother, your friend is getting the best care possible to insure he will make us laughing again. Between fuel, the parking at the hospital ( which is $35.00 alone ), coffee and food, it’s becoming unsustainable. But it is imperative that someone is here with him. This is just one of the many reasons we are asking for your help.

The above is not the only thing your donations will be going towards. Ham has an extremely long recovery process ahead of him with another surgery or two as well. Here are other ways your donations will help.

How Your Help Makes a Difference

Managing ulcerative colitis means constant doctor visits, expensive medications, dietary changes, and sometimes hospital stays. Even with insurance, the out-of-pocket costs for treatments and emergencies are overwhelming.

Your support can help cover:

• Specialized treatments that reduce inflammation and help me lead a more normal life.

• Medication costs, including biologics or immunosuppressants that I need to control the disease.

• Daily necessities like nutritional supplements, a proper diet, and even transportation to medical appointments.

Most importantly, your generosity provides something I can’t put a price on: peace of mind. Knowing Ham has the resources to keep fighting means he can focus on healing instead of worrying about how to make ends meet.

Your Support Gives Us Hope

I’m sharing this because ulcerative colitis has taken so much from our one and only Ham, but with your help, He can take back control of his life. Whether it’s a small donation, sharing this page, or just spreading awareness, every action makes a difference.

If Ham has ever made you laugh or put a smile on your face, please consider donating. He’s taken the shirt off his back for more than a few of you reading this, did your plumbing for free, always been there when you needed a friend it’s time to help him now.

I DO ASK THAT YOU PLEASE DO NOT CALL, TEXT OR FACEBOOK HIM AT THIS TIME. HE IS NOT THAT COHERENT AND NEEDS REST. I ASSURE YOU HE IS DOING WELL AND IS IN GREAT CARE HERE IN SF. WE WILL KEEP A LIST OF THOSE WHO DONATE SO WE CAN LET HIM KNOW. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE SEND ME A MESSAGE ON FACEBOOK OR TEXT ME IF YOU HAVE MY NUMBER.