Yorkshire businessman launches website to connect Crohn’s sufferers worldwide

A Wetherby businessman who spent over 6 months in hospital and has undergone a lifesaving operation on more than one occasion, still to be told that he hasn’t beaten this disease, has launched a not-for-profit social network, to provide global support for others suffering from the much misunderstood Crohn’s disease and is appealing to Yorkshire people to contribute with their experiences.

Chris Carroll, M.D of Yorkshire based web marketing agency Pixel Vector, was diagnosed 7 years ago with Crohn’s disease and has been battling the illness ever since, whilst still trying to carry on with his everyday life of being a husband, dad and company director.

This week he launches www.helpingwithcrohns.org, a free not-for-profit social network that has been designed to help people suffering from Crohn's and Colitis Diseases, come together and share information and experiences, providing support for others living with this very cruel disease, which still baffles many medical professionals and leaves sufferers feeling very confused, and isolated.

Chris’s main aim of the site is to connect people around the world who have an interest in this area of health including individuals who may be suffering from the disease, their families as well as healthcare professionals. Registration to the site is free and Chris is looking for contributors from Yorkshire and beyond to share their experiences, to help get the site off the ground.

Chris said: “Having gone through practically every procedure possible including infliximab infusions, heavy steroids and being called in two days before Christmas to be told the only next phase was to undergo a lifesaving operation, I know only too well the dangers of Crohn's.

“Going back into hospital in May last year was the most scary and confusing time of my life. At the outset there was the decision to have the reversal operation of my stoma and the risk that my Crohn’s would flare up once more.”

What should have been around a week in Bradford Royal Infirmary became six months, three operations, two weeks in intensive care, massive internal bleeding and infections that baffled the surgeons. Chris is out of hospital now and thankfully gaining strength, however still has other operations looming over him.

He said: “The staff at BRI were amazing and they have really helped me through this but this disease does have a mind of its own. I'm looking forward to working with the team at the hospital as we all combine resources to help others in my situation”.

“Crohn’s does not just affect the individual but also affects the lives of families, friends, business colleagues and health care professionals. I want to bring together all those who are affected by the disease as they come to terms with something for which there appears to be no one solution.

“I would like to see contributors from all over the world but it would be great if we can get Yorkshire people's support from day one to show the county is committed to beating the disease.

“Crohn’s is a very ‘anti-social’ disease due to the nature of the symptoms and this stops many people from talking about their illness – this can mean it goes untreated for too long. I remember being embarrassed about discussing my bodily functions and tried to ignore symptoms but this only causes more problems. I want to reassure others going through the same thing that there are others they can talk to – that there are people who understand.”

Chris has developed the on-line social network, www.helpingwithcrohns.org, with the primary aim to provide as much useful material possible to help those who suffer from the disease or treat those who are diagnosed with Crohn’s. He hopes a wide variety of contributions will ensure the information, advice and tips are varied and will help sufferers on all levels.

The website, which will integrate with facebook and twitter accounts, connects people and families around the world and by so doing help them to discuss their experiences and support each other, discuss treatments and procedures, the impact of them and how to control diet and medication to live life to the full.

Whilst there is currently a lot of information out there, there is no one central point for people to turn, so the idea of this site is that it will provide valuable links, promote the best places to get medical aids and supplies and promote services to sufferers who may not know to where to turn, using Chris's and other's experiences. Chris is wanting to work alongside charities who can also bring support, and is appealing to any who work in this area to get in touch, so they can get involved. He would particularly like to hear from Crohn's and Colitis UK (http://www.nacc.org.uk) and CICRA- Crohn's in Childhood Research Association (http://cicra.org/).

Chris added: “Having lived with and still going through the effects of this terrible disease I have created this site from the perspective of what I would have wanted to see when I was diagnosed, not only from an information flow point of view but in a sense the extension of the hand of friendship from those who have similar experiences. Who knows, by bringing together the worldwide community we may actually accelerate the point at which Crohn’s can be halted if not cured.”

The website is now live and can be found at www.helpingwithcrohns.org, and Chris is keen to talk to other organisations who would like to feature on the site, to provide services of relevance to sufferers. The site will continue to be a not-for-profit organisation.

-ends-

Notes to editor

Image attached of Chris Carroll. Chris is available for interview, as are representatives from the BRI hospital in Bradford.

Crohn’s disease is a rare condition. For example, in the UK, it is estimated that for every 100,000 people there will be seven new cases of Crohn’s disease a year. There are currently 90,000 people living with Crohn’s disease.

Most cases of Crohn’s disease first develop in people who are between 16-30 years of age, although the condition can affect people of all ages, including children.

Ref - http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/crohns-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Crohn’s disease is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, also referred to as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Several theories exist about what causes Crohn’s disease, but none have been proven.

Ref - http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/

For more information please contact:

Helen MacGregor

Chocolate PR

0113 236 1835

helen@chocolatepr.co.uk

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