Our success is built on the foundation of a passionate and committed team of individuals who share a common goal – making a positive impact on the lives of youth affected by Crohn’s disease and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). Together, we work tirelessly to provide reliable and accessible educational resources, fostering a supportive community and empowering individuals to manage their conditions effectively.
Since my diagnosis in 2018, I have been going through middle school and high school with
Crohn’s disease. I have been a competitive dancer and performer with Crohn’s disease. I have
been and will continue to be an avid student despite my Crohn’s disease. As I experienced my
first flare up during my freshman year of high school, I remember thinking: “No one understands
what I’m going through.” I remember thinking, “Why don’t people know about this disease?” I
also remember thinking, “Why can’t I get accommodations for a disease I didn’t ask to have?” I
knew after experiencing a flare up and further turmoil in not being accommodated in a private
academic environment, I had to make a difference. I created compassion4crohn’s to ensure any
student/youth with this disease knows they are not alone. I also created this charity to educate
people and bring awareness to this disease which is so infamously “invisible”. Let’s bring unity
and support to this disease and fight for a cure.
My name is Antonio Franco, and I am a 15 year old upcoming junior in high school. In
recent years I have struggled with multiple health conditions and have spent a vast amount of
time in and out of hospitals and experienced extensive medical care. I myself have once
struggled with early crohn’s disease and it is not an easy condition for one to have. I want to
contribute to this association because I believe everyone should be informed on the topic of
crohn’s, for example identifying it and treating it can severely change someone’s life. I believe
that a community of people can be severely beneficial to everyone that is battling this condition
as it will provide many additional tips and will help one another not feel alone in their situation
My name is Eddie Culmer, and I am a sixteen year old student filmmaker, leader, and history
lover. At my high school, I am the president of the Senior student council and the slam poetry
team. I am also an officer on our Film Association board, Black Student Union, and A.R.T.S.
(Artists Reaching To Society) Club. Being a part of Compassion4Crohn’s is important to me
because it means creating a community for kids and teens struggling with invisible diseases.
Growing up, my little sister had numerous gastrointestinal issues, and I was always there to
support her. Now, as a member of this team, I am able to make sure that other kids are able to get
the support they need to fight these diseases as well.
Hello, my name is Savannah Ehrlich! I am eager to share important topics regarding
Crohn’s/IBD through blogging for Compassion for Crohn’s. Through writing about extensively
studied subjects, I hope to raise awareness of the ins and outs of this overlooked illness. As
someone of Jewish descent, I witness many friends and family members suffering as a result of
Crohn’s disease: most of the Jewish population being at high risk of this illness. Through
Compassion4Crohn’s, I want to not only raise money and awareness for people like my loved
ones but also provide those with this disease the services they need. This non-profit is extremely
important to me knowing I can better the lives of patients through my writing. I can not wait to
continue my journey with Compassion for Crohn’s in order to ensure this illness does not go
unnoticed!
Hi my name is Alex Spector. I’m a rising senior at the King’s Academy. I have the honor of
being VP of leadership for NHS, school ambassador chair, director of communications for
Collegiate Society, and a member of my class’s student council. I am on TKA’s varsity dance
team as well as varsity bowling team and serve as co-captain. I am so excited to be able to serve
alongside my fellow fundraising ambassadors for an amazing cause that will spread awareness
for many students/youth.
My name is Eva Paliouras, I’m a rising sophomore at Score Academy Wellington and an
equestrian athlete currently living in Wellington. I recently moved to Wellington from Peru in
order to continue my equestrian career. I’m excited to contribute to this cause and work with
Compassion4Crohn’s because I think it’s important for people to learn more about Crohn’s and
IBS and how it affects people. I want to raise awareness and educate others on this, especially
because it’s not something that you can see on the outside even though patients are battling on
the inside.
Hi! My name is Alexandra Giannousi and I’m 17 years old .I go to school in a boarding school in
Switzerland, Le Rosey and I love doing sports, more specifically horse riding, athletics, ski and
Badminton .The reason I’m interested in supporting this organization is because I would love to
contribute to a cause that supports medical issues that aren’t recognized enough that so many
youth suffer with.
Hi! My name is Maddie Begin and I am a rising senior in high school. I am a hard working
student and I focus on excelling in my passion for musical theater and jazz through several
musicals, concerts, recordings, and awards. At first glance, you may wonder what connection I
have to Compassion4chron’s. I have seen first-hand the direct impact on others around me, even
though I myself do not struggle with crohn’s/IBD. As a high-schooler, I know that our schedules
can be difficult with extracurriculars, AP classes, internships, and more. There are several
victims of crohn’s/IBD that seem like ordinary students, like me. Due to lack of awareness, many
students and their needs are overlooked. I am excited to contribute to this cause so that students
around the nation will be heard and accommodated as needed, especially in the education
environment.
Hi my name is Marcello Fiorentino, I am sixteen years old and live in West Palm Beach, Florida.
I attend Cardinal Newman High School and I will be a junior in the upcoming school year. I am a
part of multiple clubs and honors societies within my school such as the National Honors Society
and the Spanish Honors Society. I know multiple people with invisible diseases and I find it very
important to help bring awareness to this cause since millions of people deal with these diseases.
