The Love Laila Foundation in its short five year existence has helped raise thousands of dollars in support of finding a cure for Crohn's Disease. This not-for-profit foundation is driven by a single goal; to do our part in making the world a better place for everyone battling inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the two most common forms being Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). Our quest is to make the lack of support and information about Crohn’s less of a challenge for those struggling from it. The Love Laila Foundation, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization founded in memory of Lauren Laila Townsend, who lost her fight against Crohn's disease at the age of 26, in 2014. Lauren, having recently completed an undergraduate degree in pre-nursing studies, was pursuing admission into a graduate nursing program that would better enable her to aid others with gastrointestinal challenges. Unfortunately, Lauren succumbed before this dream could be achieved. It is with this same dedication and caring that Lauren's mother, Sharifa Townsend has sought to carry on in Lauren's memory the raising of money for crucial research to bring us closer to a future free from Crohn's disease and Colitis. The Foundation provides the annual LoveLaila Crohn’s Disease Walk to raise funds for Crohn’s research through donation to the Crohn’s Foundation of America’s (CFA) national organization, and providing a $1000.00 scholarship to a deserving high school student pursuing a career in nursing. The scholarship is awarded to a student that demonstrates through an essay the desire to be a compassionate nurse.
NWI high school students apply for the scholarship through the NWI Urban League. This year the scholarship will be awarded to Clarke Halliburton, a 2019 graduate of Merrillville High School. This fall Clarke is attending IU Bloomington. The scholarship will be presented to her at the annual LoveLaila Crohn’s Walk that will take place at 10am on Saturday, August 31st, at Wicker Memorial Park in Hammond.
For further information please go to our website: www.Lovelailafoundation.org