Picture Your IBS and Enter to Win

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Picture My IBS. All thoughts and opinions are my own. All experiences belong to my loved ones, and are not representative of everyone’s experience. I want to spread awareness.

I remember the first time I heard about IBS, because I had both a relative and a close friend with the chronic condition. I didn’t understand a lot about it, and I feared that maybe I had it or would have it someday since I tend to have a nervous stomach. I know now that my symptoms had nothing to do with IBS and were nauseous feelings related to anxiety. It took me a long time to see a doctor about my symptoms, so I can understand the reluctance that IBS sufferers have to discuss their bowel movements with their doctors. When they do, though, they can find relief and support – both a long time coming.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that affects nearly 35 MILLION people in the United States alone. Misinformation and self-treatment cycles are leading people to suffer with IBS for years, or even decades, before finally seeing a doctor. It can be a difficult and embarrassing topic for people to talk about, even to their own doctors.

Picture My IBS is a new initiative that offers people a new way to express their feelings about the impact of IBS on their lives. You can create an original piece of artwork in whichever form allows you to best express yourself and your IBS journey – whether it be a painting, drawing, sculpture, collage, or other type of artwork that meets the contest guidelines.

Picture My IBS was created by The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) in collaboration with Allergan and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, and aims to help those with IBS find a more comfortable way to communicate with their doctors, to share their IBS journey with others and to show others that they are not alone. These pieces of art are being shared by real people living with IBS, and will help elevate public awareness and shine a light on the many ways IBS affects people’s lives.

More big news is that a panel of judges will evaluate the art submissions and the Grand Prize Winner will receive a trip for two to a luxury hotel and spa in NYC. Five Honorable Mention winners will receive a $100 American Express gift card.

Share your own IBS-inspired art work or encourage a loved one to do the same – as part of the Picture My IBS initiative. You or your loved one could win one of many exciting prizes. Visit Picture My IBS for more info.

I love collages, and trying to channel many emotions and feelings at once. I have to admit – Scarlet helped a lot. Her eyes lit up at the chance to do an art project, even one that highlighted a syndrome. I think that made her more interested.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. OPEN TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE FIFTY UNITED STATES, D.C., AGE 18 OR OVER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. THE SPONSORS OF THE CONTEST ARE ALLERGAN USA, INC. WITH AN OFFICE AT HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER; PLAZA V, SUITE 1900; JERSEY CITY, NJ 07302; IRONWOOD PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. WITH AN OFFICE AT 301 BINNEY STREET, CAMBRIDGE, MA 02142; AND THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF GASTROENTEROLOGY. APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUE OF ALL PRIZES IS $6,500. ODDS OF WINNING DEPEND ON NUMBER AND QUALITY OF ENTRIES RECEIVED. ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 1, 2016 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2017. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS APPLY. PLEASE SEE COMPLETE CONTEST TERMS AND CONDITIONS AT PICTUREMYIBS.ORG.