Bringing Awareness to IBD

World IBD Day takes place on May 19 each year to unite people worldwide in the fight against Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, also known as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). 

An enlightening town hall unites people with IBD

This year, Hollister Incorporated joined forces with organizations from over 50 countries on 5 continents to shine light on these digestive diseases that impact more than 10 million people worldwide. For those living with IBD, we aim to bring awareness to what it is like to have ostomy surgery and live with a colostomy or ileostomy, so that they can advocate for themselves in their care plan. We also want to support those in the ostomy community living with IBD to know that they’re not alone.

IBD Awareness Town Hall

In support of IBD awareness, Hollister invited a panel of engaging speakers to discuss life with IBD and an ostomy, as well as what inspires them to embrace every day with confidence. The session was shared on social media for World IBD Day.

Click here to view a recording of the 2019 IBD Awareness Town Hall.

Meet the Panelists

Robin Brown

is the reigning Mrs. Mason County, Washington, and is competing for the state title of Mrs. Washington State in June. She feels colostomy surgery has given her life back, and is proud to be representing those living with an ostomy everywhere through her competition platform on gastrointestinal health & disease prevention. She is also a volunteer with the Seattle Children’s Hospital to help kids with ostomies.

Danielle Gulden and Joe Teeters

are best friends who met in an ostomy support group in Columbus, Ohio. Together they are the dynamic duo behind Double Baggin' It, sharing their humor and personal experiences on social media since 2015 to bring awareness to and advocate for ostomy life. They have also led several advocacy initiatives on behalf of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation to raise awareness of digestive diseases among Congress and the media.

Krista Deveau

is a kindergarten teacher from Calgary, Alberta Canada who has been fighting Crohn's disease since being diagnosed in 2001 at the age of 9. On her Instagram my.gut.instinct she brings a fresh perspective and positive attitude to living with an autoimmune disease and an ileostomy in the hopes of helping others. She shares the good and the bad, but prefers to focus on the positive.

Showing Support

People all over the world wore purple ribbons on World IBD Day as a symbol of awareness and support for those living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Hollister encouraged supporters to share a photo of themselves wearing a purple ribbon on social media using the hastags #IBDawareness and #makingtheinvisiblevisible. More than 15,000 people across 112 countries posted in support of IBD awareness.

Understanding IBD

The symptoms of these two illnesses are quite similar, but the areas affected in the gastrointestincal (GI) tract and other aspects are different. Check out this quick comparison of the two diseases:

Crohn’s disease

• More prevalence among ages 16-35, but can occur at any age
• May affect any part of the GI tract (mouth to anus)
• Can affect entire bowel wall thickness

Ulcerative colitis

• Most diagnosed in mid-30s, but can occur at any age
• Only affects Large intestine (colon)
• Affects the innermost lining of the colon

For more information about World IBD Day, visit www.worldibdday.org.

For more information about Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, visit the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation website at www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org.