Mentors & Honorees

    

 

 

 

 

 

Lisa Tijerina: Honored Hero

Brian White: Mentor

Chuck Hinson: Mentor 

 

 

 

 

Lisa: Hello everyone, my name is Lisa Tijerina and I have Crohn’s disease. I was diagnosed in 2004 and have spent much of the last 5 years in and out of hospitals. A few months after being diagnosed, I began having excruciating pain in my belly. I went to the emergency room, but was just sent home with some prescriptions. I returned less than 24 hours later to the same emergency room. I was then put on IV nutrients and was unable to eat for three weeks. The doctors rotated shifts each Friday and on the third Friday, the new doctor came in and said we were going to try something new. I had a CT scan and the results were in: My colon was expanding because air was trapped in the ulcerations. If I did not have surgery, I would die. I was sent to have an emergency surgery on that Monday after my colon had doubled in size. I had most of my colon removed and had lost 20 lbs in just 3 weeks. I couldn't climb stairs for almost 2 weeks. I couldn’t even walk to the bathroom without getting winded. It was awful!

Since my surgery, I have gone through 3 different injection treatments and numerous prescriptions, including steroids. One of the medicines gave me such a bad reaction that I was hospitalized for a week. Then the nurses almost overdosed me with Adivan! I was in remission for over a year, but was hospitalized again almost immediately after I gave birth to my beautiful baby girl. I just had a colonoscopy and am happy to say that I've been in remission for the last year. Now I know you are sitting there saying to yourself, “What the heck am I getting myself into?!” but as a survivor of both Crohn’s and my first half marathon I’m here to tell you, you can do it too!! This experience meant a lot as a Crohn’s survivor, but it also meant a lot as a mother. Since Crohn’s may be genetic, my beautiful 2.5-year-old daughter may live with IBD some day, too. All I can do is pray everyday that my daughter does not get this debilitating disease and, especially, that she will never have to go through what I went through.

This will be one of the best experiences of your life and you will survive! If I can do it, anyone can. Not only did this affect me and my family, but it affects everyone who has battled with this awful disease. Now think of how much we can raise in Napa and all the other marathons to come. It makes me smile just thinking of it.So on behalf of myself, my family, and all those suffering because of Crohn’s and colitis, I want to thank you. Thank you for your time and for your help in finding a cure. We are one step closer and getting even closer because of people like you! Thank you all and good luck!  

 

 Chuck:

After living with Crohn's disease all of my adult life, I decided to get involved with Team Challenge.  Having had bowel resection surgery 4 years ago, I was left with serious fatigue and overall weakness.  Therefore, deciding to participate in a half marathon was a big decision. Accepting the challenge to run this became a life changing experience for me.  The weekly training began to give me a new energy and I soon realized that I COULD do this!  Stepping across the finish line was one of my proudest moments and the sense of accomplishment was overwhelming.

 

TEAM CHALLENGE is an opportunity that:

1) To raise much needed funds for research in finding a cure for Crohn's and Colitis, and raise awareness of this disease.

2) Physical training and conditioning of the body is an important result of participating.

3) An outstanding opportunity to meet great people and make friendships.

 

 Brian:
I have been married to my wonderful wife, Kim, for almost 20 years. We have 4 children; Logan (23), Ashton (21), Brendon (17) & Carli (11). I have become more fond of running and enjoy excercising. I'm an Army veteran (thus the nickname Sgt Carter) and I consider myself a working athlete.  I am an internal auditor with Bank of America and travel frequently.  Therefore, I fully understand the challenges with finding time to excercise and eating healthy.  I joined Team Challenge after Kim was diagnosed with severe Crohn's in July 2011. 
Since then, I have learned there are many people in my life that suffer from some form of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) or have a family member or friend that suffers from an IBD.  After a little research, I made the decision to committ some time, talent and treasure in helping to raise awareness of IBDs and much needed funds for helping to find a cure. I completed my first half marathon on December 4, 2011 (Las Vegas Rock n Roll!). It is difficult to express in words the sense of accomplishment, and commraderie, you will experience the first time you complete an endurance event.  I am proud to be associated with Team Challenge and the CCFA.