| Local Crohn’s patient raises awareness about disease | | | Northwest Tennessee resident and Crohn’s Disease patient Brent Hinson is literally taking the first steps toward opening a dialogue about Crohn’s and Colitis in West Tennessee.
Hinson is organizing a fundraiser as part of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America’s (CCFA) “Take Steps for Crohn’s and Colitis” charity walk.
Although the Tennessee chapter of the CCFA will hold its event the same afternoon in downtown Nashville, Hinson decided to take the initiative and organize a charity walk on his own locally. The first-ever charity walk focusing on Crohn’s and Colitis in West Tennessee will take place at the University of Tennessee at Martin’s fitness trail May 3 from 1-3 p.m. There is no cost to participate and all proceeds raised will benefit the Tennessee chapter of the CCFA.
Hinson has a history of organizing fundraising events, raising money and awareness about Crohn’s and Colitis across the country.
Beginning in 2005, Hinson helped start a grass-roots campaign to raise money for the CCFA by hosting pre-show fundraisers before Pearl Jam concerts in honor of guitarist Mike McCready, who also suffers from Crohn’s.
“I have helped raise awareness about the CCFA from Chicago and Cincinnati to Detroit and Seattle. Now, I want to bring that same drive to my community and help inform rural areas about this painful condition,” said Hinson.
“There may be others who suffer from this disease and do not know about it or how to get treated. We are literally taking the first steps towards informing our neighbors about Crohn’s and Colitis.”
Crohn’s Disease is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. Crohn’s can affect any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine. Swelling extends deep into the lining of the affected organ. The swelling can cause pain and make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea.
Anyone is welcome to attend the walk at the fitness trail located next to the Elam Center on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin, Hinson said.
Published in The Messenger 4.25.08 | | | | |
