Welcome to the online home of ulcerative colitis survivor Tom Meersman!
MY MISSION: FIND A CURE FOR ULCERATIVE COLITIS
Ulcerative colitis affects hundreds of thousands of individuals in the United States. UC is debilitating both physically and emotionally on the people who suffer from it. Often individuals are confined to their homes either because they are too ill to leave or are afraid they'll be unable to find a bathroom if they venture out in public. There is no medical cure for UC other than surgical removal of the colon.
On October 4, 2007 I had surgery to remove my colon following a year-long battle with ulcerative colitis. This surgery left me with a temporary ileostomy. I felt broken and defeated. Ulcerative colitis had taken its toll on me physically and emotionally. I hated what UC had done to me and had felt as if I lost my battle against it.
Colitis 1 Tom 0
On January 16, 2008 I had surgery to have my ileostomy taken down. This left me a rejuvenated, happy individual. I felt as if life could finally go on normally again. I had now evened the scored with UC.
Colitis 1 Tom 1
Now the grudge match has been set as I look to once and for all take down ulcerative colitis by running a half-marathon on July 20, 2008 in Napa, California. I'm out to prove I'm better than this terrible disease.
I need your help to get there! I need to raise $3800 for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America in order to be able to participate in this race. Please donate anything you can to help find a cure for this awful disease. No one should be forced to lose their freedom to a disease! It's time to cure ulcerative colitis!
***UPDATE 7/20/08***
In the third and final match between myself and ulcerative colitis it was I, Tom Meersman, who was victorious!
6 months and 4 days after having surgery to have my ileostomy taken down, I ran the Napa to Sonoma half-marathon in 2 hours 31 minutes and 5 seconds. A year ago this never would've been possible as I could barely even move. Ulcerative colitis gave me its best shot, but I took it down. It will NEVER hold me back again!
Final Score: Tom 2 Colitis 1
Latest news
Click here for all the race coverage!The race in Napa is over!!!
I finished in 1187th place out of over 2500 participants.
My final time from start to finish was 2:31:05 More details to come!
This just in: Tom Meersman defeats colitis 2-1
Total Funds Raised = $4615.38
GOAL HAS BEEN REACHED!!!
As of 07/22/08 7:15 p.m.
KEEP YOUR DONATIONS COMING! THE MONEY STILL GOES TO CURE COLITIS! DON'T STOP DONATING NOW!
Tom's Training Blog
Update Tuesday July 22.
7:15 p.m.
Find out how a guy can go from being in the worst shape of his life to running 13.1 miles!
There was an article about Tom in the Rockford Register Star on Tuesday March 25, 2008.
That article can be viewed here
Tom continued his media tour on the radio with Stone & Double T on 104.9 WXRX Wednesday March 26, 2008 @ 5 p.m.