Written by Sharlandria Shaw, Assistant Coordinator, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
As a young child, I experienced several illnesses. I had surgery on a cataract at the age of 13, several false positive tests for Lupus, and numerous visits to specialists including a Rheumatologist, Ophthalmologist and Internalist.
According to the National Institutes of Health, Crohn’s Disease is a chronic disease that causes inflammation and irritation in your digestive tract. Most commonly, Crohn’s affects your small intestine and the beginning of your large intestine. However, inflammatory bowel disease can affect any part of your digestive tract, from your mouth to your anus.
But June 2003 was different! I recall it like it was yesterday. My body could no longer take the continual stomach pains, irritation of the stomach, and body aches. After a 4 day stay in the hospital, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease.
After returning home, it was a whirlwind of doctor visits, prescriptions, and taking a deeper dive into the diagnosis as well as my health background.
The flare-up and episodes of unpredictable and uncontrollable abdomen pain and bowel issues took all my energy. IT WAS HARD! My first medical course of action was 6 pills two times a day and frequent tests to make sure the medication didn’t harm my kidneys and liver. This medication regime did not work. My flare-ups continued and intensified. I wanted to know why this happened to me, where this disease came from, was it hereditary, associated with my diet, environmental or something else.
Fast forward 4 or 5 years, when social media began suggesting people you may know and may not have seen or connected with for years, I was reconnected with several people. The platforms not only brought us together, but it also created an outlet to share what had been going on within our lives. Unbeknownst to me, several of my hometown friends and members of their family also suffered from Crohn’s. This information provided me with a WOW moment! And initiated my desire to ask even more questions.
How did the All of Us Research Program make a difference? I am grateful that I was introduced to the All of Us Research Program. Through learning about and working with the program, I have gained the confidence to be an advocate for my health, take charge and make informed decisions that impact my overall well-being.
Being introduced to the concept of precision medicine research through All of Us has motivated me to ask the right questions and challenge the status quo as it relates to medication and treatment specific to me, a woman of color. As a participant, I have learned that biology, lifestyle, and environment affect health. at This information has not only assisted me, but also inspired me to encourage my hometown friends and family to become a part of the program. Knowledge puts us in a better position to effectively communicate with our health care providers to get it right! Through the work of the All of Us Research Program and collaboration with researchers and medical professionals, I know that I am a part of the change. I take pride in knowing that I am an essential part in the work conducted to determine a better health regimen just for me!