Run for a reason (and a free trip to Vegas)

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is looking for people who are interested in training for the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon on Dec. 5. The CCFA's mission is to find a cure for Crohn’s disease -- a seldom-discussed, painful and unpredictable disease of the digestive tract -- and a similar disease called ulcerative colitis.

What's being offered: The Foundation will provide participants with professional training and will pay most of the expenses for the participants to travel as a group to the race in Nevada, where they'll stay a total of four days and three nights.

What's expected: Each person will raise money for CCFA; the Foundation guarantees that a minimum of 75 percent of all funds will be used to help find a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis -- and to improve the quality of life for people living with the diseases.

The Carolinas Chapter is hosting several information meetings this month, on the following dates:

• 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, at Earth Fare in Ballantyne.
• 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17, at Borders Bookstore in Southpark.
• 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, at North County Library in Huntersville.
• 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24, at Omega Sports (intersection of Park and Woodlawn roads).

Organizers are requesting you RSVP if you plan to attend a meeting. You can do so by clicking here.

Brittney Leigh daCosta, Team Challenge Endurance Manager for the Carolinas Chapter, says a very special Team Challenge participant will tell her story at select information meetings. Sixteen-year-old Charlotte resident Sarah Bailey Wilson, a sufferer of ulcerative colitis (a chronic and painful digestive disease), raised $15,000 and finished the Boston half-marathon in June.

Sarah Bailey was diagnosed with the chronic and painful digestive disease after a family vacation during Thanksgiving break in 2009. She completed the 13.1-mile race with her parents and brother, all of whom were trained by professional coaches and support by CCFA staff and mentors. Funds raised by Wilson and her family went toward research, education, and support services for the 1.4 million Americans living with Crohn’s and colitis.

For more info, contact Brittney Leigh daCosta at BdaCosta@ccfa.org; call 704-817-7544; or click here.