Crohn's Disease Donation in Honor of Shelby L. Steward

Team "Bad to the Crohn's", a fundraising team for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA),was established in 2013 by myself, Erica. I came up with this team after finally being successfully managed for my Crohn's Disease in 2012.

I was sick on and off for years, it all startedin 2006 while I was away at college, I made a Facebook account, there I found my cousin Shelby Steward, then Whitebread. When I hit that friend request button, a flood of emotions over came me; would she still remember me? I have not seen her in years!! I got that notification "Shelby Whitebread accepted your friend request", I was thrilled. We immediately started talking and catching up; we would check in on each other once a month. Our relationship was reestablished;we just reminisced on the old days and caught each other up on our lives. It was so nice to reconnect with her.

I could remember being in elementary school and sitting in the back of the bus with her. Every Wednesday I got a new book from the Library, we all remember library day, Shelby read me my book EVERYWednesday until I passed out on the bus with my thumb in my mouth-yes I was a thumb sucker, sadly I still am; it is my comfort blanket. Shelby protected me on that dreadedbus from the bullies and hatred of the world. She was my best friend during that time.

After catching up, Shelby and Imade a pact to check in on each other and not let our relationship drift apart again. Fast forward to 2011, I was in so much pain I couldn't work, I would spend days upon days in bed, I couldn't walk and my will to live was dwindling. As pathetic as that may sound, that is what a day with Crohn's Diseasefeels like, everyone thinks you look fine, but inside you feel like death; I was in and out of the hospital every week for days on end, Shelby reached out to me. We started checking in on each other more regularly, at least once a week. Shelby talked to me about anything and everything to keep my mind off of my unknown diagnosis.

At the end of 2011, I finally had a diagnosis, CROHN'S DISEASE. I was devastated. The first person, other than my husband and my parents, that I told was Shelby. As many of you know, Shelby also suffered from Crohn's Disease. Shelby then started checking in on me daily. She helped me navigate through the grey world of Crohn's Disease. As I made my way through failing treatments, Shelby was the first one to be honest and upfront with me, I followed a very similar treatment path like her, which is pretty uncommon. Every treatment that failed me, she guided me and helped me manage. Just having that support from someone who has been on the same path as you was comforting. I was so appreciative of her during this time.

In 2012, after a year and a half of failed treatments and continually being sick,I was hit with the news, either a biologic medication or chemotherapy and an ostomy. You best believe that the first person I talked to about the news was Shelby. I did not even tell my husband or my parents first. I went right to my cousin via Facebook of course. She talked me through the biologic medication which she was managed with for a while. So after much discussion with Shelby,I went with that medication. I thank Shelby so much for guiding me down that road. In 2013 I was finally well managed with the biologic medication; I still hadoccasional flare ups but was a functioning human being. During that timeis when I decided I was going to make "Bad to the Crohn's" and do my first 5k walk/run fundraiser. I made T-Shirts, sold bracelets, and got donations. I organized it all on my own. I ran team names past Shelby and she liked "Bad to the Crohn's" the best; so that is the team name that I went with! My supporters who walked with me were coined "Erica's Crohnie", A Crohnie is simply a supporter for Crohn's Disease. All together, $750 was raised for the foundation with the help of family and friends.

In 2014, I did not do any fundraising due to relocating for a new job, planning a wedding and getting sick. I was pretty sick off and on in 2014 with my Crohn's Disease. After settling in with the new apartment, job and getting married, the stress disappeared and I was not flaring up as much. Shelby would always tell me, even during the undiagnosed stage of my illness,"Erica, you need to breath,njoy te day; much ain as yu are in RIGHT now, remember to take a step back, enjoy the scenery and smile. ALWAYS smile, because there is always someone out there who is sicker than you, worse off than you or in more need than you." Maybe that is why so many people look at Crohn's patient's differently, because we do not show that we are in pain. We live our lives knowing someone, somewhere, is worse off. We know that today is a gift and tomorrow is a present; one day at a time is our motto!

Now it is 2015,Shelby and I have become even closer over these past few years, especially the last 6 years, over our shared disease. Shelby was moving back to Pennlvaniaandwe were aking arrangements t see eachther. We were so happy and excited. Then Sunday, March 15th, 2015 the dreaded news no one ever wants to hear surfaced. I found out, as most of you reading this did, that Shelby passed away. My heart sunk to the ground. I felt broken. I cried for myself. I cried for Shelby and her entire family. Iimmediately thought of Shelby's husband Derrick and son Colin; my heart breaks for every single person whose life has been touched by Shelby's amazing soul. Shelby was a great person. If only the world could have more Shelby Stewards, it truly would be a better place.

I put together thisT-Shirt fundraiser here on booster, to help "Bad to the Crohn's" raise money and donate all of the money raised to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America in honor of Shelby Steward. My goal is to have Shelby's friends and family all over, be able to get these shirts, that is why I am doing the fundraiser online!! The goal is to sell 50 shirts, the more we sell, the more that "Bad to the Crohn's" can donate to the CCFA in honor of Shelby! You can buy as many shirts as you want until the closing date of the shirt sale. This company will then make the shirts and send them to you!!

Thank you all so much for being a Crohnie, for keeping Shelby's name alive, and support this foundation that was near and dear to both Shelby and myself's heart!

"Always be yourself,
Unless you can be a Crohnie;
Then you shouldalways be a Crohnie"

Please share with anyone that you know who has benefited, has been touched, andhad the honor ofknowing this beautiful person, Shelby Steward!

Let's help find a cure!

Until we meet again, I love youShelby!
Thank you for being my calm during the storm.

Erica