Increasing Public Awareness of UC - Whose Responsibility is It?

Ulcerative colitis has been a closeted disease for years. It's not easy for patients to discuss the symptoms and problems associated with ulcerative colitis. Until recently, many people never knew ulcerative colitis existed. If they had heard of the disease, they knew it had something to do with the bowels, but didn't really understand anything about ulcerative colitis.

Public awareness of any chronic illness requires efforts on many levels. Patients need support groups and outlets to tell their story. Dealing with ulcerative colitis is not easy and patients are the ones who are best able to educate the public.

Patients can't get the word out about ulcerative colitis alone. Professional organizations of doctors, volunteers, and ulcerative colitis awareness advocates exist to help increase public awareness of ulcerative colitis. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America and the American Gastrointestinal Association work year round to increase awareness of ulcerative colitis.

Individuals who are friends, family members, or care givers of ulcerative colitis sufferers must also help increase public awareness. Sometimes, those of us who are aware of the disease, but do not suffer from it are able to find our voice more easily than patients who suffer from the disease. In our efforts to increase public awareness, perhaps patients will find more courage to increase their public awareness efforts.

In order to raise awareness of ulcerative colitis it is going to take patients speaking up and professional organizations speaking out. Advocates of UC awareness must attend UC awareness events and speak about it at every turn. But the need for advocacy for UC patients goes beyond this standard group.

Lobbyists must continue to bring the issue to the attention of the nation and government, in order to ensure the rights of UC patients are protected. Forward thinking journalists and publications must work together to promote awareness of ulcerative colitis. Pharmaceutical companies must assist in educating the public about ulcerative colitis as they battle for funds to further UC research.

The responsibility of UC awareness is upon the shoulders of everyone who is touched by the disease and everyone who is already aware of the disease.

It is the right thing to do on behalf of ulcerative colitis patients.