Welcome to SupportIBD! My name is Aaron and I have Crohn’s Disease. When I was diagnosed in 2009 I had just entered my first semester of college. Ever since my diagnosis, I have been on multiple medications, many ER visits, and hospital stays and also have endured 3 hip replacements due to Avascular Necrosis from prednisone use. My own journey with IBD is what drives me to advocate for other patients and to help them find out more about the disease and provide any support they need.
I originally started SupportIBD as a Facebook page “Support Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis” back in 2010 after my diagnosis and just wanted to meet others with the disease and help them. Eventually, I realized that the page was becoming much bigger and was having more of an impact than I initially ever thought it would. The page opened up the opportunity for me to really start advocating for patients with IBD and more than that, I was able to really help and support patients with their IBD journey.
Through all of this, I have been in college and originally my goal was to become a physician and work with IBD patients, but as my health activist work grew, so did my curiosity for science. My junior year of college I started doing research and the more I learned the more I realized I wanted to pursue a career in scientific research. In May 2015 after 6 long years full of multiple surgeries and hospitalizations I received my B.S. Degree in Biology Medical Sciences. I am now a Graduate Student finishing up my Masters Degree in Biomedical Research with Thesis. I will continue on after my master’s degree next year to get a Ph.D. in Microbiology & Immunology, with my end goal to work in IBD research. I owe a lot to my mentor and friend Dr. Erin Norcross who has played a huge role in my life and training me to be a scientist and how to think critically. Her advice and support has helped me become who I am today. My passion for science stems from my passion for helping IBD patients, and through research, I intend to do just that. I enjoy writing blog posts about IBD and also writing about IBD science, and breaking the research down for patients to understand. I think it is important for patients to see people like myself who has IBD, but is also pursuing a degree to be able to work in research, who has the background to speak about IBD science legitimately and to be able to break it down for patients to understand. Science is hard work and I want patients to see that and to get a behind the scenes look from the lab to see just what it takes to become a scientist, all while having IBD. Which is why I have a section of my website titled “IBD Science” which is where I have posted some of my scientific writings about IBD, which I will continue to update. I have also had amazing opportunities in my IBD journey. Here are some Achievements I am proud of.
If you would like to work with me and see the services I can offer click ☞Work with me
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, any medications, health products etc that are discussed here should be taken up with your personal physician. The opinions expressed here are mine, and mine alone they do not constitute the views of any company or institutions that I am involved with.