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Crohn's and Colitis are painful, debilitating and widely misunderstood.

Symptoms can include diarrhoea (often with blood), severe pain, extreme fatigue, and dramatic weight loss. At present there is no cure for Crohn’s and Colitis, but drugs and sometimes surgery can give long periods of relief from symptoms. This means 1 in 210 people are living with these unpredictable, life-long and potentially life-threatening conditions.

And they don’t just affect the gut. They can affect almost every part of your body and every aspect of your life: from digestion and joints to energy levels and mental health. They also affect many parts of life – from education and work to relationships. These conditions are hidden – so you won’t be able to see that someone is unwell. That’s why we run a campaign called ‘Not Every Disability is Visible’, which aims to change public perceptions of disability, by changing signs on accessible toilet doors.

We’re the UK’s leading charity for Crohn’s and Colitis. And we’re here for everyone affected by Crohn’s and Colitis. We’re working to improve diagnosis and treatment, and to fund research into a cure. We raise awareness and give people the hope, comfort and confidence to live freer, fuller lives.