JUNE 27TH WALK TO AID CROHN’S AND COLITIS DISEASE SUFFERERS

Local high school student Chris Fox, a Laguna Hills teenager who has struggled with Crohn’s disease for the past three years, has been named the 2010 Honored Hero of the “Take Steps” annual two-mile Walk-a-Thon in Aldrich Park in Irvine to raise money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.

The Walk-a-Thon is on June 27th at 4:00 p.m. and is targeted to raise $20,000 to fund patient and research programs in Orange County.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis currently affect one in every 200 Americans. The diseases affect the large and small intestines and cause internal bleeding and pain. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis currently effects one out of every 200 Americans.

Chris was just a typical teenager when, at Lacrosse camp, he began to experience symptoms of these diseases, including excruciating pain and fatigue. When this occurred, he was hospitalized for the flu and remained in the hospital for weeks before he was properly diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.

After two years filled with medical procedures, hospitalizations and medications Chris’s medical team decided he needed to have his colon removed. This is the treatment is used when medications have stopped working and the disease is getting worse.

While undergoing surgery the doctors discovered that Chris has Malignant Hyperthermia, a condition that causes a high fever, slow heart rate and increased blood pressure while under anesthesia. Chris died on the operating table but his doctors were able to resuscitate him.

After several days, he recovered and the surgery was successful. He has since had two more surgeries and is getting back to his life.

Chris is now at school and is on track to graduate with his high school class. He has since had to take on a part time job to help his mom pay off the staggering medical bills.

Chris is making his voice heard and wrote his college essay about what he went through. He says “The dictionary defines the act of surviving as carrying on despite hardships or trauma. I never truly understood what that meant until my once-simple life was thrown into a downward spiral by two crippling diseases: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.” However he believes that “[m]y hardship has challenged me tremendously and in ways I never imagined – and I’m a better person because of it.”

A cure is thought to be found within five years. Orange County residents can Take Steps to help Chris Fox raise money to support The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America by visiting www.cctakesteps.org/orangecounty.