Our mission is to support, engage, and empower pediatric IBD patients and their families

The story of how our company was founded

IBD Connect Inc. was founded by Lisa Fournier following the diagnosis of her oldest daughter, Jaimee, with Crohn’s disease in 2018. Lisa was no stranger to IBD; her youngest daughter, Randi, had been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2002 at the age of four. Balancing Randi’s needs with those of her three other children and her professional responsibilities was challenging, but Lisa navigated it with determination.

When Randi began middle school, Lisa recognized the potential benefits of connecting Randi with peers facing similar challenges. However, she discovered that there were not any local pediatric IBD support groups in Worcester County, MA. Driven by a strong desire to support and encourage other IBD families, Lisa and Randi decided to establish their own support group at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, MA. This group emphasized caring for the entire family, understanding that an IBD diagnosis impacts not just the child but their loved ones as well.

As the support group grew, it became evident that the need for IBD support extended beyond their immediate circle. When Jaimee was diagnosed, Lisa took a bold step to expand her efforts, transforming the support group into a nonprofit organization in January of 2019. Thus, IBD Connect, Inc. was born, with a mission to provide comprehensive support to pediatric IBD patients and their families.