Morbus Crohn – Colitis ulcerosa

By Wouter Miedema

(Deutsche Version siehe unten)

The idea for a research foundation originated within the European Federation of Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis Associations (EFCCA – www.efcca.org). The representatives from these associations considered it important to support scientific research in order to improve treatments for Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis (together known as “Inflammatory Bowel Disease”; IBD).

What’s more, they concluded that a joint initiative to raise funds for research, would have a much better chance of success than individual initiatives.

So the IBD Research Foundation is a cross European initiative to raise funds for scientific research in order to improve IBD treatments. The structure of the foundation guarantees that it represents the patient‘s perspective when deciding which kind of research to sponsor

When the first discussions about the foundation began, we called the project “Quest for the cure”. And still our ultimate goal is to find a cure for Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis.

Yet we have to keep in mind that for other – more common – auto immune diseases, many years of intensive research did not result in an actual cure. So our primary goal is to improve IBD treatments, which should subsequently lead to a better quality of life of people with IBD.

We want to solve the puzzle that causes IBD and therefore we need to get into the tiny parts of the immune system, to understand how substances react to each other, to understand possible influence of environmental factors, to understand the role of genetic factors, etcetera.

We also want to investigate why existing medication causes certain side effects.

The results of this research should provide pharmaceutical companies with leads to develop new medication or to change existing medication in a way it has less or no side effects.

In order to assess the quality of research projects, we will establish a committee of qualified medical professionals.

Before we can actually grant sponsorship for research projects, we need to raise funds.

Therefore the foundation will be involved in promotional activities, in close collaboration with the national associations for people with IBD. After all, they know best how to make the people in their country aware of the IBD Research foundation. The foundation may be supported by people who people who have IBD and by their family and friends. Moreover, the foundation may be supported by organizations that have an interest in IBD. The foundation will try to reach them all. As there are over 1 million people with IBD in Europe, the potential is very promising.

As this time the website of the foundation ( www.ibdresearch.org ) is being improved. Shortly we will be able to keep everyone updated via the website of the latest developments within the foundation. What’s more, a feature for online donations will be implemented.

Another way the foundation is going to raise funds and improve visibility, is by providing a few kinds of merchandise with the foundation logo on it, such as caps and T-shirts. These will be available either via the website, or via the national IBD associations

The foundation received heartwarming reactions and expressions of support from people all over Europe. We received the first donations from European associations for people with IBD. A number of these associations declared to be ready and willing to start working together in raising funds, including SMCCV.

We feel that research can be the key to a better life and therefore we need the help of everyone to make the IBD Research foundation successful. Over one million people with IBD in Europe are potentially one million ambassadors for the foundation. Please keep in mind when fighting your next flare up of Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis: you’re not on your own!

IBD Research Foundation – contact and bank account details

Secretary Wouter Miedema

wouter.miedema@ibdresearch.org

Website: www.ibdresearch.org

Bank account details:

Fortis Bank the Netherlands

Account number: 97.46.86.158

IBAN: NL31 FTSB 0974 6861 58

BIC: FTSBNL2R

Registration number chamber of commerce Utrecht – the Nether­lands : 30234377