LOOP Blog

My name is Leah, and I am a parent on the ImproveCareNow Parent/Family Advisory Council (PFAC) with two children diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. In 2016, our world turned upside down when both our children were diagnosed with IBD. We were nervous, scared, and overwhelmed facing not one but two Crohn’s diagnoses. Our wonderful GI, Dr. Suskind, discussed various treatment options, one of which included a dietary therapy approach that he had been newly researching called the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD). I went home from the hospital armed with food lists and determination and got started right away on a new way of cooking.

Our Spring Live Online Community Conference (LOCC)is right around the corner - on Thursday, April 23, 2026. ImproveCareNow's Executive Director Becky Johnson Rescola speaks to why she's excited for this year's Spring Conference and shares more about our plenary speaker, community proposed sessions, and lunch & learn opportunity! Read her reflections below and be sure to join us as sessions run from 10 AM ET (9 AM CT, 8 AM MT, 7 AM PT) to 5 PM ET.  Registration is completely free for patients and families, and rates have been reduced for our care center partners. Whether you can join us for one hour or the full day, you’ll walk away with actionable insights and a stronger sense of community.

On Thursday, April 23, 2026 ImproveCareNow is hosting our Spring Live Online Community Conference (LOCC). Sessions will run from 10 AM ET (9 AM CT, 8 AM MT, 7 AM PT) to 5 PM ET. This isn't just a meeting; it’s a space designed for you to connect with a national network of IBD experts and peers who truly 'get it.' Best of all, registration is completely free for patients and families. Whether you can join us for one hour or the full day, you’ll walk away with actionable insights and a stronger sense of community..

On Rhys' very first day home from the hospital, his Mom and Dad knew something wasn't right. This is Rhys' story in his Mom, Colby's words.

If you are a young person living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, or a parent/caregiver supporting one, you know that the reality is that managing a chronic health condition is complex. On any given day, you might be juggling appointments, managing symptoms, remembering medications, and finding the right tools to stay on track.

Have you ever wondered if the apps, resources, and community support you use actually make a measurable difference in your ability to manage your health? The CLARE Study (Community Learning About Results of Engagement) is on a mission to find out—and we need your voice to do it.

Parenting a child with a chronic illness like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can feel isolating for both the child and the caregiver. While the love and support of family and friends are vital, connecting with others who truly "get it" offers a unique and powerful kind of support: peer support. The Caregiver Coping Resource emphasizes the immense value of supportive connections for both children and their families.

As PAC member, Leela, wrote in her introductory post to the ICN blog, "It makes me feel more confident knowing that I'm not the only one struggling and there are other people like me." Support and connection that allows people to express themselves, to be seen and understood, and to feel less alone is so important. In the interest of ensuring everyone looking for connection and support along their IBD journey can access it, we are highlighting IBD Kidz - a Crohn's & Colitis Foundation program offering "age-appropriate support groups just for kids and teens living with IBD. These groups help young patients connect with peers, feel less alone, and gain confidence in managing their condition.”

Meet Desiree and read her story about the role stories and storytelling have had in her chronic illness journey, and how she plans to use them to advocate for others living with IBD.