Koopman Family featured at IBD Connect Inc. Running in Place 5K event

IBD Connect, Inc., a local nonprofit organization, is proud to announce that the Koopman Family from northbridge has been selected as the Featured Family for their 2023 running in Place 5K event. Ten-year-old riley Koopman first began experiencing symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, as early as age four. By the time riley was eight years old, she was experiencing significant weight loss, fatigue, mouth sores, stomach cramping, and frequent trips to the bathroom. In 2022, riley was admitted to Boston Children’s Hospital with high inflammation markers in her stool, and a colonoscopy and endoscopy confirmed the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease. The two main types of IBD, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are both chronic, incurable autoimmune diseases.

Travis and Tammy Koopman, riley’s parents, were devastated when they learned about riley’s diagnosis. They turned to IBD Connect Inc., a nonprofit organization founded in 2019 by

Scholarship recipients, Tahlia Smith (above

Uxbridge resident Lisa Fournier. Lisa is the mother of two daughters living with Crohn’s disease and understands the impact that this disease can have. Thus, IBD Connect aims to support, engage, and empower pediatric IBD patients and their loved ones by means of support groups, special events, and financial assistance programs. The Koopman family, which also includes riley’s siblings, and Jocelyn Pressley. Smith attend Southern Conn State University to study nursing. Pressley will attend Clark University where she will study film.

Chloe, Avery, and gracie, as well as Tammy’s mother rebecca Cooper, joined one of IBD Connect’s support groups soon after riley’s diagnosis.

The Koopman family immediately chose to face Crohn’s disease with courage, strength, and positivity. They display support and kindness to one another, recognizing that riley’s diagnosis impacts the entire family. gracie, the youngest child in the Koopman family, was even recently honored by IBD Connect as an “IBD Warrior” when she decided to follow the same dietary restrictions imposed on riley as she prepped for a colonoscopy. This family’s encouragement and kindness extend beyond the confines of their own family, however. The members of the Koopman family are currently active participants at every IBD Connect support group meeting, activity, and fundraiser. In fact, last year, the Koopman family was the top fundraising family for IBD Connect! The Koopmans treat all families with respect and generosity, humbly supporting those who are in crisis or need assistance. “It takes a village to raise a child with IBD, and we are honored to have the Koopman family as part of our village” states IBD Connect’s founder and president Lisa Fournier. The Koopmans truly embody IBD Connect’s mission to support, engage, and empower IBD patients and their loved ones and thus are truly deserving of the honor of Featured Family for the nonprofit’s 5K event this year. They were chosen by the IBD Connect team from over eighty families that the nonprofit has served over the past few years through programs and resources.

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IBD Connect’s running in Place 5K event will be held October 14, 2023 at riverbend Farm in Uxbridge. This highly anticipated annual event is one of the nonprofit’s top fundraising events each year. Families and friends can form teams that can choose to either walk, run, or kayak riverbend Farm’s canal trail. There are games, activities, speakers, and food provided for all participants and guests.

As the featured family, the Koopmans will be speakers at the event, with the opportunity to share more of their family’s story. All proceeds from the event will go directly to raising IBD awareness, financially supporting families in crisis, and funding educational materials for support group members and newly diagnosed IBD patients. Currently, IBD Connect offers both in-person and virtual support groups for pediatric patients and their families, young adult patients, and caregivers. They also offer financial resources for those struggling with medical bills, expenses not covered by insurance, and emergency situations. Additionally, two $1,000 scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors living with IBD each year.

One of the nonprofit’s staple products are “Warrior Bags” for newly diagnosed pediatric IBD patients. These bags are distributed to a hospital and are filled with activities and items that are meant to comfort the diagnosed child and family during a time that can often be overwhelming. IBD Connect has seen tremendous growth since its formation in 2019, and they hope to keep the momentum going. “We continue to expand to help families wherever there is a need,” says founder & President Lisa Fournier. FMI visit www.ibdconnectinc.org or email: fournier.lisa75@gmail.com.