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3 K A D L E C C O M M U N I T Y H E A L T H "When I began with Miss Outstanding Teen, my social impact initiative was focused on Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis," she said. "I have learned that people with chronic disease have many of the same concerns and challenges I have, so by expanding my social impact initiative to include all chronic disease, I can be an advocate for a larger, growing group of people." The common challenges, according to Regan, include living with an incurable disease, use of similar medications to control the chronic disease, the impact and side effects of long-term use of these medications, working with medical professionals, insurance issues, explaining chronic disease to family and friends, and finding resources to help. "People with any chronic disease often ask, 'How do I balance my life, my disease, and my medications?' It's important to have those discussions," she said. According to the CDC, 60 percent of Americans have a chronic illness; 40 percent have two or more; people with one chronic disease are more prone to acquiring another one. Regan herself has additionally acquired Lupus, also an autoimmune disease. You are invited to learn from her Regan remains Miss Washington through the summer. She continues her advocacy work across the state, including a virtual presentation on January 19, 2023 at 3:00pm, offered by the Kadlec Neurological Resource Center. She will talk about the basics of chronic illness and the challenges associated with these long-term diseases, how to be a better advocate for yourself, and creating a positive healthy approach to chronic illness. "I would encourage everyone to join in," said Regan. "Patients, caregivers, parents, medical providers involved with chronic illness patients, and those just interested are encouraged to attend. I hope people can learn from me. It can be very scary to be so vulnerable talking about your disease, but I think I've built 20 years of living with it and have an experience to share which can help other people." To register for Regan's presentation on chronic illness, see page 4. ■ Making the Invisible, Visible (cont'd) B Y M a r y L y n n M e r r i m a n CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 W H AT I S U LC E R AT I V E CO L I T I S? It is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which the inner lining of the large intestine (colon or bowel) and rectum becomes inflamed and develops tiny open sores, or ulcers. This inflammation often starts in the rectum and lower (sigmoid) intestine then it spreads to the whole colon. Ulcerative colitis is the result of several factors that are not yet well understood. Abnormal immune response, genetics, microbiome, and environmental factors all contribute to ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis can occur at any age, though most people are diagnosed in their mid-30s. In children, it is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 13 and 20, but it can also affect younger patients. Girls and boys are equally affected. It is one of two major types of IBD (the other is Crohn's disease) and is a chronic disease with no known cure, only long-term treatment. "People with any chronic disease often ask, 'How do I balance my life, my disease, and my medications?' It's important to have those discussions."

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