Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, Northern Texas/ Oklahoma Chapter

A nonprofit organization
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$5,789 raised by 33 donors

58% complete

$10,000 Goal

Chronic, painful, and often life-altering, IBD affects millions of children and adults in the United States. Due to the complicated factors influencing each person’s IBD, the often unpredictable and debilitating course of disease, and resulting physical, emotional, psychosocial, and financial impact, IBD patients and their loved ones have unique concerns and needs. No other Texas based organization serves these needs through groundbreaking programs in research, education, support, advocacy, and awareness – designed to cure IBD and improve the lives of patients.

Our Needs

IBD can be unpredictable and debilitating, leading to a decreased quality of life for patients. It is not uncommon for patients with IBD to have two dozen bowel movements per day or to take as many as 20 pills per day to manage these diseases. Symptoms of IBD can lead to reliance on medications not recommended for long-term use and hospitalizations. Over time, patients may develop complications from surgeries or ongoing and uncontrollable inflammation that create new and compounded difficulties. 70% of Crohn's patients, and up to a third of patients who have had colitis for 30 years or longer, will require surgery which may involve removal of sections of the intestinal tract, complete removal of the colon, and the creation of temporary or permanent ostomies. 18% of patients may develop colorectal cancer by the time they have had IBD for 30 years. As IBD is commonly diagnosed earlier in life, these complications are likely to occur within a patient's lifetime.

Treatment options are limited. Medications may work for one patient but may not work for another exhibiting similar symptoms. Medications may also stop working and lead to flares of disease activity, leading to surgeries to remove the inflamed parts of the small intestine or colon. Currently, anti-TNF therapy is considered first-line treatment for moderate to severe disease, but up to 80% of patients do not respond or lose response to these therapies.

Many patients suffer in silence, feeling isolated and alone. According to a large-scale study funded by the Foundation, 42.6% of patients had at least one mental health diagnosis, with common diagnoses being depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, substance use disorders, and bipolar and related disorders.

Foundation-funded research has determined that factors in the gut microbiome, genes, and the environment interacting with the immune system influence the onset, course, and severity of each individual's disease. The complexity of IBD, the increasing number of patients, and the accompanying physical, psychosocial, emotional, and financial burdens demand the exploration of every potential therapeutic opportunity.

Mission

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's mission is to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases. When the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation was founded in 1967, very little was being done to improve treatments or to find the causes for IBD. Today, the Foundation is the largest public foundation driving research and programs designed for individuals with IBD.

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation is the leading advocate for patients and the hub of the IBD community - which includes patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, volunteers, donors, commercial partners, and other non-profits. The Foundation engages the largest community of IBD patients in the country and maintains collaborations with partners that add value to IBD research or assist in improving patients' quality of life. The collaborative approach of our mission activities and world-renowned work with the best clinicians and researchers in IBD care are qualifications unique to the Foundation.

The Foundation has earned a reputation for fiscal stability and careful stewardship of donated dollars. The Foundation proudly meets the high standards established by the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance and GuideStar, as well as other leading independent charity evaluators. More than 80 cents on every dollar raised goes towards mission, a ratio the Foundation has maintained for the past several years. Our most recent annual report can be found at www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/annual-report.

Chronic, painful, and often life-altering, IBD is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to affect millions of children and adults in the United States. Due to the complicated factors influencing each person's IBD, the often unpredictable and debilitating course of disease, and resulting physical, emotional, psychosocial, and financial impact, IBD patients and their loved ones have unique concerns and needs. No other Dallas based organization serves these needs through groundbreaking programs in research, education, support, advocacy, and awareness - designed to cure IBD and improve patients' lives.

Needs

Why Your Support Matters More Than Ever

For over fifty years, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation has addressed the unique needs of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) community. Our mission is to ensure that every IBD patient has the opportunity to achieve remission as we work urgently toward cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Now more than ever, your support is essential. Amidst proposed federal cuts to research funding, there is a very real concern that the progress we’ve made and the future breakthroughs we need are at risk. These funding threats jeopardize ongoing studies and slow the pace of innovation at a time when we’re on the brink of potentially life-changing discoveries. Philanthropic support is no longer just important, it’s critical.

We’re Fighting for Every Patient

We unite patients and caregivers in the fight against Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. We believe in the power of community and in the promise of research, education, support, and advocacy to transform the future of IBD care. Together, we can ensure that no one walks this journey alone and that scientific momentum continues to accelerate, not stall.

Increasing Awareness

IBD remains misunderstood, even among healthcare providers. Earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment depends on increased disease awareness. That’s why the Foundation invests in nationwide public education campaigns, including high-profile awareness events, and public service announcements across media channels. By breaking stigma and promoting understanding, we help lift the emotional burden that too many patients carry in silence.

Advancing Patient-Centered Research

Our research is powered by the people it’s meant to serve. IBD patients and caregivers directly shape our grant-making priorities, review active studies, and contribute valuable clinical data and biosamples. Tens of thousands of participants are already fueling a research pipeline that brings us closer to new treatments and ultimately, cures. But this progress is fragile. With government research funding in jeopardy, our community’s investment has never been more vital.

Providing Life-Changing Support

We provide compassionate, comprehensive support nationwide. From in-person support groups in North Texas to online communities, forums, and one-on-one mentorship programs, we ensure that patients and caregivers have access to the resources and connections they need to navigate the everyday realities of IBD.

Empowering Kids Through Camp Oasis

Camp Oasis is a lifeline for children and teens living with IBD. As the only program of its kind, it offers young patients a place to be understood, to laugh freely, and to connect with peers facing similar challenges. In June, we welcomed 86 campers to our Texas Camp Oasis at Camp for All in Burton—a 20% increase over last year. For many of these kids, it was their first time feeling truly seen and supported.

Equity Statement

We strive to create a positive culture that welcomes, respects, and values differences while seeking out opportunities to safeguard against inequalities and disparities. We actively seek out people of diverse backgrounds to inform the development of our strategies and activities.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, Northern Texas/ Oklahoma Chapter

other names

Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, North & Central Texas/ Oklahoma Chapter

Causes

Health Care

Operating Budget

$1,000,000 - $2,999,999

Counties Served

Hunt, Wise, Tarrant, Somervell, Rockwall, Parker, Palo Pinto, Navarro, Montague, Kaufman, Johnson, Hood, Grayson, Fannin, Erath, Ellis, Denton, Dallas, Cooke, Collin

BIPOC Leadership

Neither/None

Address

12801 N. Central Expressway Suite 530
Dallas, TX 75243

Phone

972-386-0607

Email

ntexas@crohnscolitisfoundation.org

Website

http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/chapters/ntexas/