Team Jenn!

My Experience

Hey! My name is Jennifer, but most people call me Jenn. I'm 20 years old, and I'm not living life the way you might normally imagine a 20 year old would. I can't go out and party, travel the world, or even catch up with friends for lunch without extreme difficulty. This is because I live with Crohn's disease.

I was diagnosed two years ago, during my final year of high school. While my friends were at school, playing sports and enjoying their lives, I was struggling to get out of bed, eat, or even walk.

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. It can cause a wide range of symptoms, including nausea, fatigue, and pain. It doesn't just affect my digestive system - it affects my entire body. Ongoing inflammation has led to other health conditions, mobility issues, and challenges with my mental health.

Although I have an incredible specialist team supporting me, the difficult reality is that Crohn's disease currently has no cure. Treatment can involve dietary changes, medication, exercise, and other approaches to help manage symptoms. However, it isn't that simple.

The medications can be harsh on the body and may involve steroids, immunosuppression, or biologic therapies. All of this is to manage symptoms, reduce inflammation, and slow the progression of the disease. My medications help me leave the house and begin living my life again, but their effectiveness isn't guaranteed.

I was on my first medication for a year before it stopped working, sending me back into a flare. I'm now on immunosuppressive treatment, which currently seems to be working. However, the uncertainty of not knowing how long a medication will remain effective is frightening - especially when I know how serious this disease can become.

Donations toward inflammatory bowel disease research are vital and deeply appreciated. They give people like me hope for new medications, better therapies, and an improved quality of life.

That's why I've created a team for the Live Fearless Challenge 2026. Throughout September, my friends, family, and I will participate in movement every day. Although I may not always be able to move or be physically active, it means so much to know that my friends and family will be raising awareness, donating, and participating in something so important to me.

Thank you to everyone who donates, participates, or helps spread awareness. I appreciate your support more than I can express.

Lots of love,
Jenn 💜

We're living fearlessly this September. Will you support us?

We're taking on the 2026 Live Fearless Challenge – and we'd love your support!


We've challenged ourselves to move for at least 30 minutes every day this September, while raising funds for a cause that's close to our hearts.

Over 180 thousand Australians live with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (known as IBD). There is currently no cure, and very little government funding dedicated to the condition.

This is why we've chosen to support Crohn's & Colitis Australia, to help them continue supporting IBD patients and their families, funding critical research, and advocating for a better future for all Australians with IBD.

Even a small donation can have a big impact, so if you can, please donate today.

All donations over $2 are tax-deductible (you’ll receive a receipt straight to your inbox).

Thank you so much for supporting our team – it means a lot! 💜

Thank you to our Sponsors

$106.75

Melissa Rangihaeata

$106.75

Isabella Wong

$55.95

Mia Biesse

$55.95

Lara Biesse

$55.95

Anonymous

$55.95

Anonymous

$55.95

Anonymous

$54.75

Taryn Debney

Good on you Sal!

$54.75

Helen C

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

$23.81

Kelly Dobson

Well done, Sally. So sorry to hear about your daughter, Jenn. My sister also has Crohn's disease so I'm all too familiar with the terrible impacts the disease can have.

$20

Jennifer Koehler

$11.92

Jennifer Koehler