“In its stomach, it suffers; outside, it remains silent.” A reflection illustrating what the 30,000 patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis experience. These highly debilitating conditions are characterized by inflammation of the digestive system causing abdominal pain and diarrhea that can last several weeks or even months. On October 2, 2010, afa (French association) is mobilizing from 9 AM to 4 PM in support of IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Diseases). On this occasion, a health info bus will be set up on the Promenade des Anglais, in front of the open-air theater in Nice. Conferences will be offered. The objective? To alert the public about the IBD crisis, communicate the actions taken by afa, and collect funds to finance research programs. By the end of this day, the association aims to gather one euro per patient, equivalent to 200,000 euros.
Program of the day:
– 10:00 AM: “IBD, are we all concerned?”
Professor Xavier Hebuterne (Head of the Digestive Unit at the Nice University Hospital)
– 10:30 AM: “Living better with chronic illness through therapeutic education, the example of IBD”
Dr. Jérôme Filippi (gastroenterologist at the Nice University Hospital)
– 11:00 AM: “Chronic illness and lack of sleep, how to cope?”
Dr. Faredj Cherick (psychiatrist at the Nice University Hospital)
– 11:30 AM: Solidarity flash mob.
Each person wearing a mask depicting one of the two faces of afa’s new campaign will observe one minute of silence to symbolize the physical and mental suffering endured in silence by IBD patients.
– 2:00 PM: Therapeutic education consultation by appointment with the multidisciplinary team (psychologist, dietitian, expert patient, etc.)
All-day activities: magicians, balloon sculptor, relaxation tonic chair massage.
To support patients and research, afa is also organizing a magic show on October 5 at 8:30 PM at the Francis Gag theater.
