LTE: Support Abby Roberts, 16-Year-Old With Ulcerative Colitis

To the editor:

Hi, my name is Jennifer Gilomen, I am a close friend of Janice Roberts and her family. I am sending this letter out to you to share a story about the health struggles that Janice’s daughter Abby has been facing which has greatly impacted the whole Roberts family.

Abby was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis when she was 10 years old. Since then Abby has had her colon, appendix & gall bladder removed. Abby had the colon rebuilt but it was unsuccessful. Abby is now living with constant debilitating pain that has required her to miss out on school and the life a normal 16-year-old girl is blessed to live. The Mayo hospital and clinic was not able to help Abby, and therefore have referred Abby to the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. There Abby and Janice spent six weeks trying to find a solution, they returned home for a brief period of time and then went back to Cleveland to the Cleveland Pain Clinic to try and teach Abby how to live with the pain she currently has.

So with all that being said, several of the Roberts’ friends, co-workers and students are having a fundraiser. I am writing to ask the community for any help they may want to offer, whether it be a monetary donation to the family, or an item for the live and/or silent auction we will be having on the afternoon of May 20th. We would also like to extend an invitation to join us in supporting and celebrating this wonderful family. I know how much the Roberts family has touched so many of us with their kindness and generous spirit, I hope we can all come together to show our support during this difficult time.

We hope to see you on May 20th at the in Northfield, MN from 2:00 to 6:00.

Thank you again for your time and support.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Gilomen

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