Jerica Sanford
My name is Jerica, and when I was 27, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in April 2014. No one in my family had Crohn's or colitis and I had never heard of either of these before I was diagnosed. During my first hospitalization from this disease, I had a life-threatening reaction to my infusion. I contracted Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. Afterward, I decided to decline further medications and remove my colon. I had my first J pouch surgery in August 2014, and my second J Pouch step 2 surgery in December 2014. 
My presumed final takedown surgery was in February 2015 - except this wasn't the final takedown surgery. I caught C-diff in my small bowel that went undetected in my body until the new incision burst causing me to go sepsis. This forced my doctor to decide to bring back my ileostomy. I was devastated, to say the least, but I had my mom by my side. She was my rock throughout the process and took on the role of caretaker at home.
In 2018 I checked into the hospital to have my final takedown surgery (try #2). On April 25, 2018, I had the successful takedown surgery, however, I was vomiting unexplainably. I underwent an exploratory procedure, under sedation, and aspirated. I don't recall a lot, but when I woke up, my doctor told me I had thrown up while under anesthesia. I went into a medically induced coma for the entire month of May and woke up just days before my 32nd birthday in June. This resulted in three lung surgeries. Throughout these challenges, I kept surviving and knew my life had a purpose. There was the light at the end of the long IBD tunnel.
In 2021, I was blessed to find out that my body would once again be extraordinary and I was pregnant with my son Grraison! The overwhelming feeling of gratitude for life, hope, faith, and new beginnings was unbelievable. There was a drive inside me not knowing where I was going, but I kept on going. One step at a time, I just kept taking steps.
Honorees
Honored Heroes share their stories to let other patients know they are not alone on their journeys — because no one should face the challenges and uncertainty of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in isolation. Through their stories, Honorees raise awareness of these diseases, raise funds to support the Foundation’s mission and inspire hope in those living with IBD.
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