What is IBD Connect?
IBD Connect Inc. is a nonprofit organization based out of Massachusetts that is dedicated to providing support to pediatric patients diagnosed with irritable bowel disease, or IBD. IBD is defined as a chronic inflammation of the GI tract.[i] In a diagnosed individual, the body triggers an exaggerated, inappropriate immune response that results in GI tract inflammation. This prolonged inflammation can cause tissue destruction and damage to the GI tract, which can manifest through several clinical symptoms, such as: diarrhea weight loss, fatigue, abdominal pain, and bloody stools. The symptoms are not limited to the GI tract, however. The skin, eyes, joints, bones, kidneys, and liver can all be affected. In addition to physical symptoms, IBD can also cause serious mental and emotional stress. IBD not only impacts several aspects of the diagnosed individual’s life, it also impacts the lives of family members and loved ones.
IBD Connect aims to come alongside and support everyone affected by IBD, the diagnosed child and their loved ones. Here are some of the things that we do to achieve this:
Currently, IBD Connect serves over 70 families across several different states. We look forward to continued growth to better serve pediatric IBD patients and their families!
[i] Lewis, Sharon et al., Medical-Surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems (St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier, 2017), 944.
IBD Connect aims to come alongside and support everyone affected by IBD, the diagnosed child and their loved ones. Here are some of the things that we do to achieve this:
- We host several different support groups on a routine basis: a family support group, a caregiver support group, and a young adult support group.
- We host numerous fundraiser events throughout the year. These events are a special way to interact and engage with IBD patients, their families, and the community.
- Thanks to our generous donors and supporters of our cause, we are able to extend support to families by means of financial assistance programs and scholarship opportunities.
- We supply hospitals with our special “warrior bags” that can be given to newly diagnosed pediatric IBD patients. These warrior bags contain different items and activities to help a pediatric patient cope with the new diagnosis.
Currently, IBD Connect serves over 70 families across several different states. We look forward to continued growth to better serve pediatric IBD patients and their families!
[i] Lewis, Sharon et al., Medical-Surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems (St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier, 2017), 944.
IBD Connect's HistoryIBD Connect Inc. was founded by Lisa Fournier after her oldest daughter, Jaimee, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2018. Prior to Jaimee’s diagnosis, Lisa already had plenty of experience with IBD. Her youngest daughter, Randi, began her journey with Crohn’s disease in 2002 at the age of four. At this time, Lisa had to quickly learn how to balance Randi’s needs with the needs of her three other children, as well as her professional responsibilities. When Randi began middle school, Lisa felt as though Randi could benefit from interacting with other IBD patients her own age. To her surprise, there were not any local pediatric IBD support groups in the Worcester county area. Lisa and Randi’s desire to interact with and encourage other IBD families was strong, and rather than giving up, they decided to start their own support group at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, MA. The support group placed special emphasis on caring for the entire family, as they realized that an IBD diagnosis not only impacts the child, but the child’s loved ones as well. As the group continued to grow and expand, they quickly realized that the need for IBD support was not just limited to their family! When Lisa’s oldest daughter, Jaimee, was diagnosed with IBD, Lisa made the bold decision to expand her support group into a nonprofit organization. IBD Connect, Inc. was born!
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