A Front-Row Seat to Hope: My Volunteer Leadership Summit Reflections
At the 2026 Volunteer Leadership Summit, I had the opportunity to serve as a reporter, connect with inspiring leaders, and reflect on the power of community, volunteerism, and hope within the IBD space.
Your Voice Matters: The Importance of Self-Advocacy in Ulcerative Colitis
Kimberly M. Hooks shares how surgery, receiving an ostomy, and navigating life with ulcerative colitis led her to discover the power of self-advocacy and patient voice.
My Journey to an Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosis: Symptoms, Delays, and Learning to Advocate for Myself
Before my diagnosis, my body was trying to tell me something and no one was listening. This is my journey to an Ulcerative Colitis diagnosis, the symptoms I lived with for years, and what I’ve learned about advocating for myself in healthcare.
World Ostomy Day 2025: Strength, Resilience & Hope
On this World Ostomy Day, I’m sharing something deeply personal — 10 inspiring stories from incredible ostomates who are thriving, breaking stigma, and showing the world that life with an ostomy is full of strength, resilience, and hope.
A Transformative Journey at COCCI's "Equity in GI 2023" Event
As I stepped into the vibrant city of Atlanta, Georgia, for the Color of Crohn’s and Chronic Illness (COCCI) "Equity in GI 2023" event, I had no idea just how life-changing this experience would be. The Opening Reception set the tone, instantly connecting with our culture under the catchy theme: "GASTRO RULES EVERYTHING AROUND ME."