In 2020 we had to deal with the repercussions of Covid and worries about being immunosuppressed. People lost jobs and incomes.

Many people experienced flares, some needed to be hospitalised, and some had to undergo surgery.

While we are fortunate to live in a country where the pandemic is being well-managed, for those living with IBD, the situation is far from ideal.

New Zealand lags behind most of the Western world in the medical treatment it provides people with Crohn’s and colitis. People who have failed the few medications that are funded are being sent for life-altering surgery, knowing that there are other effective therapies available.

Despite all this we have good reason to be optimistic and proud.

For the first time, patients and whanau, as well as medical professionals, came together as a community. We worked hard to garner over 30,0000 signatures for our petition to fund ustekinumab (Stelara), we marched on parliament, presented our petition on national news, and let the country know that We Can’t Wait.

While the challenge to obtain funding for up-to-date medications is still present, our collective voice has been heard. It is only through your support and participation that we have come so far.

However, we still have a lot or work to do to reach our goal. We will not rest until treatment of people with IBD in New Zealand is commensurate with that of the rest of the world. On behalf of our seven-member volunteer Board and our Operations Manager, Belinda Brown, I wish you the best for a Happy Holiday and a healthy 2021.