Face of Asacol

I have been very fortunate this year to have the Asacol brand sponsor my athletic season. At all my races I will be wearing a jersey with the Asacol logo on it. In my first race a few individuals asked me about Asacol and I met another UC patient, as posted in an earlier blog [link]. This will hopefully spread awareness of UC and inspire other UC patients to keep an active lifestyle. Additionally, the Asacol brand will be donating money to an organization (such as CCFA) based as a per-mile amount during my competitions this year, ~$15,000! We have also started an achievement award for inspiring UC patients, family/friends of patients, and health care providers. This will be announced later in the year.

Working with the Asacol brand on these initiatives has provided me with an extraordinary opportunity that patients of any disease would love to have. I have been able to meet the individuals who work behind the Asacol brand. Not knowing what to expect I was pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere that I encountered. The faces of Asacol were all very friendly and have fostered a family-like environment in which they accepted me with open arms. What I found most comforting is the true interest in, and care for, the UC patient that was possessed by all members of the Asacol family. It was the furthest thing from the 'big-pharma' conception of a money-hungry business turning a profit from a patients need. Instead, they wanted to understand the experience of UC patients with the desire to improve that experience in any way possible. They were also excited to pursue opportunities that spread awareness about UC and make dealing with UC easier. Check out the Asacol.com website to learn more about UC, other UC patients, and initiatives that the Asacol brand are undertaking.