Tristan Lee is hoping to raise £10,000 to help his aunt who has Crohn’s disease
A MAN is cycling from Cardiff Castle to Pembroke Castle in one day to help pay for his aunt’s healthcare treatment.
Tristan Lee, 25, is looking to cycle the 180km journey to help raise £10,000 to help his aunt, Peg Stipetich, who has Crohn’s disease.
Ms Stipetich, 59, lives in the US and recently had surgery to help with her Crohn’s-related hernias. This involved making a 50cm incision on her abdomen to insert mesh into her stomach.
Her recovery from surgeries is difficult because Crohn’s disease affects the body’s ability to heal.
“Her stomach still is just wide open,” said Mr Lee
“With Crohn’s you’re constantly tired, your body’s attacking itself, it’s not very comfortable.”
Ms Stipetich has also had an irreversible ileostomy bag for 15 years, which collects waste from the small intestine. She’s had open wounds for over 10 years around the area where her bottom was sewed up as part of this procedure.
The money raised will go toward Ms Stipetich’s health insurance premium which is £10,000. This figure has risen over the years because of how often she has needed treatment.
“In America if you have money it’s fine but if not it’s horrific, if you have a medical condition you get penalised for it. It makes you appreciate the NHS, as much as it’s struggling.”
“She’s also my godmother so that’s why I’m doing this, she’s always been amazing with me,” said Mr Lee.
“In America if you have money it’s fine but if not it’s horrific, if you have a medical condition you get penalised for it. It makes you appreciate the NHS, as much as it’s struggling.”
Mr Lee, who lives in Riverside, began working for an ostomy company in 2020.
“It’s made me empathise with her a bit more and understand it more,” he said.
Mr Lee will cycle the 180km route with three of his friends from school. So far, the furthest they have cycled is 60km.
“I’m trying to cycle as much as possible, like cycle to work and things,” he said.
“Wales is really hilly which doesn’t help.”
So far Mr Lee has raised £1,200 on Go Fund Me.
What is Crohn’s disease?
Crohn’s is a long-term condition which causes inflammation in the bowel.
“It’s really important for people to understand the symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. They include blood in your poo more than once, frequent diarrhoea, and agonising stomach pain,” said Sarah Sleet, CEO of Crohn’s & Colitis UK, a charity which supports people with these diseases.
“We know these warning signs can feel embarrassing or tempting to ignore, but if you have any of them, you need to go and see a doctor. The sooner, the better.”
