11/17/2025
Michelle Abbott was 13 when she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causing severe stomach pain and bloody stools. It would take five years for Michelle to find a medication that helped her manage her symptoms. Today, she receives care from Dr. Adam Weizman, Medical Director of the Centre for Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Mount Sinai Hospital.
“I’ve seen the evolution of treatment throughout the years. When I was a child, I was on a trial drug and at the age of 35, I went under the knife to remove most of my large intestine,” says Michelle. “I no longer have the same stomach aches I used to have, but there is still no cure for IBD.”
Along her journey with IBD, Michelle met Stacey Gitlin through their husbands, who had gone to school together. They quickly discovered they were both teachers and both had IBD – and became fast friends. When Stacey and her husband Jonathan started Spin for Sinai, a community fundraiser to raise funds for IBD research, there was no question that Michelle would join them. Michelle’s doctor, Dr. Weizman, also participates every year.
“Since I was 13, there’s been so many advancements in care and treatment,” says Michelle. “I’m glad I can do my part now as an adult, through Spin for Sinai and through the help of my friends, Stacey and Jonathan, to give back to the people who cared for me.”
Michelle will surpass $30,000 raised this year and we are grateful for her support of Sinai Health.
Join Michelle in making a difference for patients with IBD with a donation. ➡️ https://give.supportsinai.ca/event/spin-for-sinai-2025/donate?utm_source=so&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=20_cs_26&utm_content=michelleabbott_story
