The Gut It Out Foundation, founded by Jake and Amanda Diekman, is fundraising to support the work of the Stanford Maternal and Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI) to fund a pilot grant to research structural racism, social injustice, and health disparities within IBD. Jake Diekman, relief pitcher for the Oakland Athletics, has pledged to donate $100 for every strikeout he earns this season. Fans can also donate towards this grant for a chance to win exclusive prizes, including a limited edition “Gut It Out” t-shirt!
“As a professional athlete, I’ve had access to the top treatment in the U.S. to treat my ulcerative colitis. It breaks my heart to know that many of the most at-risk and in-need IBD patients are not able to access the treatment they need and deserve,” says Jake Diekman. “We are confident that this research can help those patients and will have a lasting impact to promote equity and improve health outcomes in diverse communities.”
This pilot grant benefitting MCHRI is aimed at supporting research that not only highlights the health disparities in the maternal and child health community with IBD (e.g., racial and ethnic, socioeconomic and geographic, sexual orientation, and gender identity) but also focuses on reasons or drivers of these disparities. The projects propose action-oriented strategies to promote equity and improve health outcomes in the IBD community through policy or programmatic changes and innovations.
Diekman’s goal is to raise $30,000 through the Pledge It campaign. Meeting the goal will be made possible by the support of fans who make their own pledge. Fans who join the campaign will be eligible for rewards such as a customized video message from Jake Diekman, autographed items, game tickets, and more.
Thank you, Jake and Amanda, for your dedication to the health equity of children with IBD!
About the Gut It Out Foundation
The mission of the Gut It Out Foundation is to connect patients and caregivers through education and inspiration in order to strengthen relationships and resources within the IBD community. The Gut It Out Foundation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation operating through a fiscal sponsorship with Players’ Philanthropy Fund (Federal Tax ID: 27-6601178), a Maryland charitable trust recognized by the IRS with federal tax-exempt status as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3). For more information, please visit gutitoutfoundation.org.