Honorees

Meet the 2013 Triathlon Team Honorees

Cooper is a 9 year old who loves playing baseball and is doing his best not to let Crohn’s disease slow him down. Prior to his diagnosis in December of 2011, it was clear that something was wrong when this usually energetic and healthy athlete began suffering from severe cramps, diarrhea, bloody stool, change in appetite and was extremely tired most of the time. Cooper says that IBD has changed his life in many ways, but he is determined to continue playing baseball. His diet has been altered, he spends time in and out of doctor’s offices, at least every 6 weeks he spends a day at Children’s hospital for his Remicade infusion, and he makes sure that he does a good job remembering his daily pills. Super Cooper attended Camp Oasis last year for the first time and loved spending a week with other kids who have IBD like him! 

Olivia Zieve, age 25, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 12. At 14, she had three surgeries to have her intestine removed and another surgery due to complications at age 22. She's a Seattle native, who recently moved back to the Pacific Northwest after working at a health clinic in Washington DC. She will be attending Berkeley this fall to begin a dual degree masters program in public health and social work.

She currently works part-time for Livingsocial on their adventure team and part-time at Pike Place Market. Her hobbies include running, swimming, biking, yoga, baking, reading, and volunteering. She has even completed a triathlon!

Olivia doesn't let Ulcerative Colitis get in the way of pursuing her goals, but she faces a lifelong battle with the disease.