Running for a Cure: A Mother “Rocks the Strip” in Honor of Her Son

Photo of the Vegas Strip with Team Challenge runners assembledThrough the dark of night, bordered by the lights of the Las Vegas strip, runner Angela Johnston participated in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half-Marathon in honor of her 14-year-old son Andrew. “Andrew has been living with Crohn’s Disease since he was 11-years-old,” shared Angela. “He’s one of 1.4 million people suffering from this currently incurable disease.”

Andrew is the son of SCJ Alliance’s Eric Johnston, and Angela is his wife. “I’m the enthusiastic, proud supporter on the side lines when Angela runs,” laughed Eric who was on hand November 17 to cheer on Angela.

Photo of Angela Johnston after running Las Vegas Rock ‘n’ Roll half-marathon in honor of her son Andrew.
Angela Johnston after running Las Vegas Rock ‘n’ Roll half-marathon in honor of her son Andrew.

Angela ran with Team Challenge, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) endurance training and fundraising program.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis — seldom-discussed digestive diseases — create debilitating pain and constant disruptions, taking a physical and emotional toll. Both diseases belong to a group of conditions known as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) and cause a chronic inflammation in different areas of the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract).

Photo of the back of the Team Challenge shirt

Angela ran to raise money and awareness, helping make new treatments possible and fueling the search for cures. She raised over $7,000 and SCJ Alliance was proud to be her corporate sponsor.  In total, Team Challenge raised over $3 million. Angela is still accepting tax-deductible donations at her CCFA personal fundraising page.

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