Raising Awareness and Support for Crohn’s and Colitis UK: Michael’s Journey

On 23rd March Circle will be running a half marathon for a cause that’s incredibly close to our hearts. Earlier this year, our colleague and dear friend Michael faced a life-changing battle with Crohn’s disease—a form of inflammatory bowl disease (IBD), which along side Ulcerative Colitis affects over 500,000 people in the UK yet remains widely misunderstood and underfunded. His journey is a story of immense strength, resilience, and the critical need for greater awareness and research into IBD.

It all began in late November when Michael started feeling unwell. Despite seeking medical help, his symptoms were initially dismissed by two doctors as nothing more than a stomach bug. However, his condition rapidly worsened, leaving him exhausted, in severe pain, and unable to carry on with daily life. On December 13th, a third GP finally recognized the seriousness of the situation and pre-admitted Michael to Watford General Hospital. By this point, his body was in crisis.

Over the next few days, Michael underwent tests and treatments as his medical team worked tirelessly to stabilize him. Despite high doses of steroids and antibiotics, his condition deteriorated further. On December 19th, he was rushed into emergency surgery—a decision that ultimately saved his life.

What was planned as a routine 2.5-hour operation turned into a gruelling 5-hour procedure. During the surgery, doctors discovered that the damage was far worse than anticipated. While the initial examination had shown severe inflammation, further inside, parts of Michael’s large intestine had turned septic and toxic, spreading poison throughout his body. To save him, surgeons had to remove all 1.5 meters of his large intestine and part of his small intestine. They later explained to Michael’s wife that he wouldn’t have survived another 24 to 48 hours without the surgery.

The physical toll on Michael’s body was immense, but the challenges didn’t end there. After the surgery, his digestive system struggled to restart after being inactive for so long. This led to fluid building up in his abdomen, which, combined with inflammation from the surgery, put pressure on his diaphragm and lungs. The result was a terrifying collapse of his lungs, leaving Michael unable to breathe unassisted. He was rushed to the intensive care unit, where he spent three critical days on a specialized oxygen ventilator to reinflate his lungs and keep him alive.

The oxygen deprivation caused a brain infarction, leading to temporary paralysis below his waist and other motor skill issues. For hours, Michael feared the paralysis would be permanent. Miraculously, he began to regain feeling and movement within a few hours, and over the next few days, the numbness and weakness subsided.

After nearly three weeks in the hospital, including time in intensive care, Michael was finally discharged on December 31st—just in time to spend the New Year with his wife and 2 year old son. By then, he had endured six weeks of illness, lost 22 kilograms in body weight, and faced unimaginable pain and uncertainty.

While the surgery saved Michael’s life, it wasn’t a cure. Unlike ulcerative colitis, which can be resolved through surgery, Crohn’s disease affects the entire digestive system from mouth to anus. This means Michael will continue to live with the condition, requiring immunosuppressant injections and other medication to manage it and avoid further major flare ups. He is also adapting to life with a permanent stoma—a significant physical and mental adjustment.

We are running this half marathon not just to support Michael but to raise vital funds for Crohn’s and Colitis UK. This incredible charity provides resources, support, and hope to people like Michael while funding groundbreaking research into better treatments and, one day, a cure.

Your donation can make a real difference. It’s an opportunity to honour Michael’s journey and help improve the lives of thousands living with Crohn’s and colitis. Together, we can help ensure no one has to face this condition alone.

Confirmed Runners:

Joe Cutler - Circle

Peter Christmas - Circle

Alex Alba - Circle

Alex Felder - Circle

Alex Hudson - Circle

Cameron Cladd - Circle

Charlie England - Circle

Chloe Brierton - Circle

Dan Orban - Circle

Dean Wittering - Circle

Dillon Carson - Circle

Jack Hoyle - Circle

Lana Tulgara - Circle

Oliver Grindle - Circle

Rupert Pelly - Circle

Scott Wilson - Circle

Jemma Loizias - Michael's Wife

Steve Cross (Jemma's Family)

Greg Causer - Michael's Friend

Louis Causer - Michael's Friend

Rebecca Gulliford - Michael's Cousin

Donna Loizias - Michael's Family

Marie Willcock - Michael's Friend

Dave Willcock - Michael's Friend

Doyley - Michael's Friend