Jillian Bernstein from Newtown, Pennsylvania will become a Bat Mitzvah on October 3, 2015.
For her Mitzvah Project she is raising funds and participating in the 2015 Walk for Hope on April 12, 2015. This walk will raise funds for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
It is her hope that friends and family will come out and support her team named, “Jillian’s Journey.”
We caught up with Jillian to learn more:
MM: Can you give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
JB: I will be raising money for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and walking on April 12, 2015 to raise awareness.
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project?
JB: I was recently diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. My doctor is at CHOP where I found out about this organization made up of parent volunteers for specific research in pediatric Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. I have chosen to share my diagnosis with friends and family to raise awareness about this disease. I will be walking in team “Jillian’s Journey” in the Walk for Hope to help find a cure and better medical treatments. I was diagnosed this year at age 12. I was not growing and lost weight which at first we thought was due to my participation in my favorite hobby…DANCE. After trying to increase calories in my diet and continued weight loss, my parents took me to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where I was diagnosed.
MM: Does your project have a start and end date, if so what are they?:
JB: Now through April 12,2015 but raising funds for IBD research will be ongoing for me.
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bat Mitzvah?
JB: I believe we all need to do nice things for others to become welcomed as a Jewish adult.
MM: If it involves a donation, what are you doing to spreading the word?
JB: So far, we have called and emailed friends and family and posted information on Facebook. There is a donation page on the Walk For Hope Website, click here. I will be making posters and will also “Can for Crohn’s” at our local supermarket to raise money and awareness. I also created an Instagram page Jillian.Journey. I was excited to see a news story about Philadelphia Phillies player Jake Diekman who also suffers from IBD. When I posted a message on my page he was the first to like the message!
The flyer that Jillian and her Dad created with information on how to donate or get involved in the Walk for Hope
MM:For how long can people donate to this charity?
JB: This charity accepts donations all year but the actual walk is April 12, 2015.
MM: Anything else we need to know about your Mitzvah Project?
JB:I have not only given money to help fund research, but I have given samples for medical research in hopes to find a cure or better treatments.
We thank Jillian and her family for sharing this wonderful Mitzvah project with our readers. Click here to find out more information on the Walk for Hope or to donate to Jillian’s Bat Mitzvah Project.
