About JagerFest

Welcome to our JagerFest event page, a fundraiser supporting the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.

I first began experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms in high school, perhaps even earlier. During my freshman year of college, however, my condition worsened significantly. I was no longer absorbing nutrients properly and was finding myself in the bathroom 10–12 times a day on a regular basis. When my parents saw me at the end of that school year, they immediately knew something was wrong. That summer, in 1988, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

Since then, my journey has included multiple surgeries, numerous hospitalizations, more trips to the emergency room than I can count, and, of course, countless colonoscopies. Despite these challenges, I have been incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing support system of family, friends, physicians, and the dedicated staff at my gastroenterologist’s office, who have been taking great care of me since 1988. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation has also been an invaluable source of support and education throughout the years.

Living with Crohn’s disease can be both physically and emotionally demanding. The ups and downs that accompany these chronic illnesses often feel like a rollercoaster. Having access to resources, research, advocacy, and a supportive community makes an enormous difference for patients and their families.

We created JagerFest not only to raise funds and awareness, but also to bring together the friends and family who make such a meaningful difference in the lives of those battling Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. While medical treatment is critical, the love, encouragement, and support of those around us are truly irreplaceable components of getting through these illnesses.

JagerFest is an opportunity to celebrate those relationships, strengthen our community, and remind patients that they are never facing these challenges alone. Together, we can help raise awareness, support those affected by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and contribute to the ongoing search for better treatments—and ultimately a cure.

Sincerely,
Paul Sirbono, Chrissie, Will and Michael Sirbono and the JagerBoys