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Kel Exner

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reach my goal

Raised

$219.38

My goal

$500

Select an amount to donate

$50
Helps provide vital resources to those newly diagnosed with IBD
$150
Contributes to a nurse consultation for a person living with IBD.
$300
Can support essential research into the prevalence and impact of IBD
$500
Provides programs to empower children and teens to live fearlessly with IBD

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My Activity Tracking

1.5
hrs

My target 15hrs

Total activity 1.5hrs

Will you support my Live Fearless Challenge?

Hey There,

Glad you found my page. 

I'm taking part in the 2026 Live Fearless Challenge – with my team Leg Miserable: Too Inflamed to be Tamed.

I'm challenging myself (and you!) to move for at least 30 minutes every day this September, while raising funds for CCA for a cause close to my heart (and let's be real, my guts 🙃). 

I am one of the over 180 thousand Australians live with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (known as IBD). I've lived with Crohn's disease since 2013. 

About three years ago this changed to refractory Crohn's Disease, which means my current treatments don't work as well as they should, and the last three years have been a rollercoaster of treatments, surgeries and sick days. 

I wouldn't have gotten through so much of that without the constant messages and support from family, friends, my specialists and the team at CCA. 

There is currently no cure, and very little government funding dedicated to the condition. I feel the effects of this lack of investment in IBD every day. One reminder is my medications, which I currently access through compassionate pathways.  

I'm raising funds for Crohn's & Colitis Australia, to help them continue supporting people living with IBD and their families and to help fund critical research, and advocacy for a better future for all Australians with IBD.

Even a small donation, a share or shout out can have a big impact, so if you can, please make a donation today (you’ll receive a receipt straight to your inbox).

Thank you so much for supporting me in this challenge whether you sign up, donate, or share. 💜

-Kel 🐝

My Achievements

Fearless Photo

Progress Post

Spread the Word

My Gift

Donation Debut

Change Champion

Fundraising Legend

Making Moves

Halfway Hero

Challenge Conquered!

My updates

Day Two!

Today is day two of the live fearless challenge. For me it's my first day of the challenge, yesterday I had a bit of a detour with an EUA. More on that another time. 

There is so much I can say (and that many have already said before) about living with an invisible chronic illness.  The last three years have not been easy, just looking at me on the outside most people would think that I'm just fine.

I haven't been fine.  

The pain. Uncertainty. The stops and starts.  The complete lack of control and worry about the destructiveness of fistulising Crohn's Disease. 

With posts like these, the end message tends to always be about resilience, overcoming adversity and persevering.  I do that every day and I am mostly a positive person. 

But it's important we don't gloss over the realities of living with Crohn's Disease and the feelings of stigma and shame that it can bring. 

When I was first diagnosed with fistulising Crohn's Disease, it was so difficult for me to talk about to anyone. I am at the point where I can talk to my gastroenterologist about most things now, but I still sometimes need to write things down and slide the piece of paper across the desk. 

This is why fundraising for CCA is so important. They provide advocacy, funding for research and support to people living with IBD. 

Research that helps stop this disease progression, and research that can hopefully stop IBD before it starts. 

Advocacy to help Australian's living with IBD to access novel new treatments and providing a platform for clinicians and experts in the field to push for these therapies. 

and Support for what we're all going through, some of us who feel utterly alone and confused.  In those first few weeks when I was diagnosed with a fistula, I was not ok. I called the CCA nurseline and peer line and I haven't forgotten those phone calls. 

Your donation matters. To me, to the next person diagnosed with IBD. 


Thank you to my donors

$55.95

Kel Exner

$163.43

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