Hope for a Cure Someday: Brittney D.

At age 14, Brittney was “thrown into the world of chronic illnesses” when she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a disease that wreaks havoc on the digestive tract along with numerous other lifelong symptoms. Unfortunately, there is no cure, but Brittney considers herself lucky, because for her body is responding well to a biologic medicine. However, despite her treatment’s success, “I still fear the idea of my body rejecting the medication. While there are a few other treatments I could try, there is still a risk of my future including a colostomy bag.” 

Brittney is one of the many patients across the country who depends on continued research and medical innovation in the hope of someday finding a cure. "I'm a patient advocate, and a member of Voters for Cures, so I can help fight for increased research. I fight everyday towards finding a cure for many chronic illnesses, and I will help in any way I can.”

Pursuing a college degree, Brittney hopes to work in patient advocacy and public health policy to encourage efforts to increase scientific advancements. “I want to help our leaders understand which of their choices can bring hope to patients like me that better treatments and new cures are on the way—and which choices would cause many problems for us by potentially losing the innovation we so desperately need.”