Your diagnosis story is important - from early symptoms and diagnosis to getting your life back on track, we follow and support many individuals on their journeys. Your story can help you make sense of your diagnosis and remind you that you are not alone.
Sharing your story can help others living through a similar experience and inspire others to raise awareness of Crohn' and Colitis, too.
If you are an adult, you might want to consider sharing your story with the media. Often, political representatives read local papers, so this means your story could be seen by decision makers and help us push early diagnosis for Crohn's and Colitis up the political agenda.
It might feel challenging to talk about your or a loved one's diagnosis journey and why early diagnosis is important to you. Our tips below will help you find the right media outlet and the words to pitch your story.
Please remember that journalists will write your story in their own words and in the style of the newspaper or magazine they are working for. It is unlikely that you will have the opportunity to review the words and any images you share before publication. Once your story is published, it could appear in other publications or other online sources. Many people tell us that they enjoy helping to promote Crohn's and Colitis through the media. So hopefully you will too!
Here are our supporters Sasha and Natalie talking about the importance and power of sharing their story.
You can find contacts for your local media outlets (newspaper, radio, and TV) using a website search engine.
Before contacting the media, think about what makes your story particularly newsworthy and of interest to their readers, listeners or viewers. Look out for hooks to breaking/running national or local news stories.
Phone them initially with a brief pitch of your story. Be prepared to be interviewed and photographed after you have sent your press release (see below). You should email your press release to the news team along with some photos of yourself and our campaign imagery. If you don't receive a response, don't be disheartened. Journalists are busy people juggling lots of stories. Follow up with an email or give them a call.
Send this press release template in an email to the journalist. Do not send the text as an attachment, as it will likely end up in their "junk" folder. Before sending, please fill the sections highlighted in purple with your story. You can use the 'telling your diagnosis journey' section to help you do this.
The purpose of the press release is to persuade people to get checked when they have symptoms. The power of your personal story will encourage people to do this. What stands out about your story? Did you get checked early and have a quick journey to diagnosis? Did you not recognise your symptoms straight away and have a delayed diagnosis? What was your toughest moment in your diagnosis journey? Please include details of your individual experience in the press release.
Telling your story is a powerful way of raising awareness and influencing change. If you're wondering where to start, here are some questions you could ask yourself to help structure your story. To stop the press release becoming too long, please don't include any details of your post-diagnosis over and above answering question eleven below.
Your story is more likely to be featured if you send some photos related to your diagnosis. Photos that show you before, during and after your diagnosis can be impactful. Make you sure you feel comfortable with these photos being made public. If you have one, send a photo of you in a Crohn's & Colitis UK t-shirt. It is good to send a variety of images that illustrate your story. Include both landscape and portrait images as this allows flexibility with the layout of your story. Publications need high resolution images of 1MB or more. You can also send them our Cut the Crap campaign images to support your story.
You can always consider writing a 'Letter to Editor' to get your story published in a newspaper. Letters are written by members of the public, as opposed to newspaper staff. They can give you an opportunity to share your opinion in response to an issue or view offered on the paper. Keep your letter short (100 words) and to the point. By reading letters previously published by the paper, you can get a feel for stories they like to share.
If you are successful in pitching your story to the media, do let us know at media@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk.
We know it can be difficult to live with, or support someone living with these conditions. But you’re not alone. We provide up-to-date, evidence-based information and can support you to live well with Crohn’s or Colitis.
Our helpline team can help by:
Providing information about Crohn’s and Colitis.
Listening and talking through your situation.
Helping you to find support from others in the Crohn’s and Colitis community.
Signposting you to specialist organisations.
Please be aware we’re not medically or legally trained. We cannot provide detailed financial or benefits advice or specialist emotional support.
Please contact us via telephone, email or LiveChat - 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (except English bank holidays).
If you need specific medical advice about your condition, your GP or IBD team will be best placed to help.
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