From the outside, Jack Sullivan is your average 13-year-old. However, if you get to know him, you will soon learn this is not quite the case. At the age of 10, Jack found out he had Crohn’s.

“Due to severe hip pain, I couldn’t run or play any sports. I began to get additional symptoms that caused me to lose an extreme amount of weight,” says Jack. “It took some time to (get diagnosed) and I had to miss a lot of days from school for doctors’ appointments.”

After finding a treatment that worked for him, Jack could have just resumed his life as an active young person managing his illness, but he wanted to do more for other children dealing with inflammatory bowel diseases. He decided to join Take Steps, becoming a local hero in Long Island, New York.

“I recognized what I was going through and realized some other kids may be going through the same thing I was, some of them even worse,” Jack says. “I’ve been trying to raise as much money as I can.”

To date, Jack and his family have raised more than $10,000 through lemonade stands, garage sales, and the support of great friends and family. This June, he will once again take part in the Take Steps Long Island walk as Team Captain of his team Jack’s Crew, which includes his parents John and Therese Sullivan (pictured with Jack and his sister Leanna alongside Parent Support Group Leader Denise Miles).  

"Jack is so amazing that he has never complained or felt sorry for himself. He has been so strong," says Therese.

“We could not be any prouder of how he has handled everything,” adds John Sullivan of his son. “When we asked Jack if he wanted to get involved with Take Steps and tell his story, his answer to us was ‘Definitely. If my story helps anybody in any way, it's worth it.’ That’s the type of young man he is.”

Walk season has officially begun! Sign up for your local Take Steps Walk and be eligible to win a brand new set of Bridgestone or Firestone tires!

Here’s what it takes to win:
One winner will be chosen from each of the following 2 categories. Whether you sign up as a Team Captain, a member of a team or an individual participant, you have the chance to win!

To qualify:
Take Steps Team Captain -
• You must be registered as a 2013 Take Steps Team Captain before April 26, 2013.
• Your team must have raised $250 or more online by May 10, 2013.
• You must have 2 or more team members registered.

Take Steps Participant -
• You must be registered for the 2013 Take Steps Walk before April 26, 2013.
• You may be registered as an individual walker or as a member of a team.
• You must raise $250 or more online by May 10, 2013.

Winner will be announced May 17th, so register today to get your fundraising underway!