Story
Crohn's Disease
John & Joanne's daughter Jenna Farmer (Nee Downes), had struggled with stomach problems since the age of 17. Despite numerous visits to GP, she was constantly told she had IBS. This continued for 10 years, causing much suffering to Jenna, her work life, social life etc.
At the age of 26, she developed 2 perianal abscesses (which she now knows is a cast iron symptom of Crohns), again she was assured she was only suffering from IBS. She underwent surgery on both occasions to remove the abscess.
At the age of 27she went to live in China to teach English, and struggled on with her stomach problems. However after one painful bout of stomach pain she visited a local Chinese Doctor who asked her the question, "Have you ever been tested for Crohns Disease". She said that she had been seen by a hospital in England who had assured her she had not got Crohns disease. He was not convinced and ordered a colonoscopy to be carried out.
The rest is history she had Crohns Disease. She was shocked as she had been constantly told it was IBS. She has been undergoing a treatment in China that is very expensive. It is called Infliximab and it is a relatively new treatment - one that if she was living in England she would be unlikely to get on the NHS.
She has done so much research in trying to understand the disease and also trying to understand the causes and symptoms and how to help it best.
There is not much support for Crohns research and every penny really helps.
The vaccine that could be available soon is really exciting news for all crohns/IBD sufferers and any funds that can help this research would be so welcome.
Crohn's Disease
Destroys lives, impacts the whole family and can kill.
What if it can be stopped? We believe it can. Please check out below