Short Bowel Syndrome Foundation, Inc.

12/03/2025

A Heartfelt Thank You from the Short Bowel Syndrome Foundation 🌍💙

Today December 3, 2025, marks an unimaginable milestone: 15 years since the Short Bowel Syndrome Foundation, Inc. officially opened its doors in 2010.

What began as one deeply personal promise (mine—Andrew “Andy” Jablonski, a lifelong SBS patient born with almost none of my small intestine) has grown, because of all of you, into the leading patient-founded and patient-led voice for short bowel syndrome in the United States—and a home for thousands around the globe.

Every milestone, every late-night message answered, every breakthrough celebrated along the way… none of it happened alone. You walked it with me, and together we turned a dream into a global family that ensures no one with SBS ever has to face this road alone again.

From the very first days, I promised one thing: no one facing short bowel syndrome would ever feel as alone as I once did. That promise was sparked by a tiny Facebook group of maybe 30–50 people run by the incredible Emily Hoopes—her safe space lit a fire in me and became the inspiration for everything the Short Bowel Syndrome Foundation would become. Today, because of your trust, your shares, and your courage to speak up, our online support communities have grown into a thriving, 24/7 global family of more than 12,000–15,000 members across multiple platforms.
• Our Adult SBS Support Group is now the go-to place for thousands of grown warriors managing TPN, GLP-2 therapies, ostomies, fistulas, transplants, and the daily grind of living with 12 inches (or less) of bowel.
• Our SBS Families & Pediatric Group wraps parents and caregivers in understanding arms the moment they hear the terrifying words “your child has short gut.”
• Our International SBS Community connects patients and families in more than 40 countries—because SBS doesn’t care about borders, and neither do we.
• And one of our proudest creations: the SBS Mental Health & Wellness Group, a safe, moderated space where it’s okay to say “I’m struggling today.” Anxiety, depression, body image, caregiver burnout—here, those feelings are met with empathy, not judgment.
These aren’t just Facebook groups. They’re lifelines.

They’re the place where a newly diagnosed mom in Australia finds another mom in Canada who’s been exactly where she is at 3 a.m. They’re where a 22-year-old in the UK learns he can still go to college on TPN. They’re where tears turn into triumphs, and strangers become chosen family.

In these 15 years, we’ve also:
• Played a direct role in the FDA approval and global launch of Gattex® (teduglutide), making sure patient voices were heard every step of the way.
• Advised companies like Shire, Takeda, VectivBio, and 9 Meters Biopharma on real-world needs for new SBS therapies.
• Spoken at Digestive Disease Week, ASPEN, NORD summits, and international congresses to educate the medical world about life beyond the textbooks.
• Built strong, lasting partnerships with the Oley Foundation and the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)—collaborating on education, advocacy, and resources so every home parenteral and enteral nutrition patient has the information and support they deserve.
• Created the SBSF CARES program, connecting families to intestinal rehabilitation and transplant Centers of Excellence.
• Launched an ever-growing Resource Library covering nutrition, mental health, insurance battles, travel tips, and school 504 plans.
None of this—literally none of it—would exist without you.

The donors who gave $5 when $5 was all they had. The moderators who answer messages at 2 a.m. The medical professionals who trust us with their patients. The parents who share their hardest days so someone else feels less scared. The adults who post “I weaned off TPN today” and give the rest of us hope.
You didn’t just support a foundation—you built a home.

As we turn 15, my heart is full. I wish I could thank everyone in person. Until then, please know this: every time you hit “share,” leave a comment, or simply whisper “me too” in one of our groups, you are changing—and saving—lives.

So on December 3rd, in the comments below, tell us your favorite SBSF memory or how this community has touched your life. Let’s flood this post with the proof that together, we are unstoppable.

Here’s to the next 15 years of breakthroughs, belly laughs, and unbreakable bonds.

With boundless gratitude and love,

Andrew “Andy” Jablonski
Founder & Executive Director
Short Bowel Syndrome Foundation, Inc.

🌐 shortbowelfoundation.org
💙 Donate or get involved: link in bio
📸 Tag us in your anniversary posts—we can’t wait to celebrate with you! — feeling thankful.

Welcome to the Short Bowel Syndrome Foundation! A community resource for those who are living with or care for someone with Short Bowel Syndrome. The Short Bowel Syndrome Foundation was founded in December of 2010, as a resource to help patients, family members, and healthcare professionals learn ab...

08/14/2025

🌟 During SBS Awareness Month, we unite to illuminate the challenges faced by those living with Short Bowel Syndrome. From sharing personal stories to advocating for understanding and support, let's foster a compassionate community. Join us in spreading knowledge, empathy, and hope! 💙✨

Here are some things you can do to promote awareness:

**Share Facts and Personal Stories**: Utilize social media platforms to share informative posts about SBS. Highlight facts, statistics, and personal experiences related to living with SBS. Encourage others to do the same. 📢👥

**Open Conversations**: Encourage open dialogues about SBS with friends, family, and colleagues. Discuss the challenges faced by individuals with SBS, dispel myths, and promote understanding. 🗣️🤝

**Educational Resources**: Share articles, videos, and infographics about SBS. Educate your audience about the condition, its symptoms, treatment options, and available support. 📚🎥

**Support Advocacy Organizations**: Promote and support organizations dedicated to SBS advocacy. Highlight their work, fundraising efforts, and awareness campaigns. 🤝💙

**Show Empathy**: Be empathetic toward individuals with SBS. Acknowledge their struggles and celebrate their resilience. Small acts of kindness can make a significant impact. ❤️🌟

**Emphasize a Healthy Lifestyle**: Stress the importance of proper nutrition, hydration, and self-care for managing SBS symptoms. 🥗💧💪

Let's make a difference together!

12/03/2024

Today is the 14th anniversary of the Short Bowel Syndrome Foundation, Inc., which was officially established in Nebraska on December 3rd, 2010. Back in October of that same year, I set the foundation's groundwork and outlined its purpose.

From the very beginning, the foundation aimed to support individuals with short bowel syndrome, regardless of their age or location, and so many more factors. Everyone was and still is welcome to join our groups. Today in both the families and adult groups, we have 2.5k members in each, which has grown substantially from the original 50-100 we started with in 2011 when the adult support group was launched.

Throughout the years, I have received tremendous support from our admins and moderators. Some have moved on, while others have sadly passed away. I want to express a special thank you to Candy Wolfe-Johnson, Dana Southern, and Nicole White in my adult groups. Also, Jera Simpleman in my families group, as well as some of our dedicated admins in our other support groups, thank you for unwavering dedication and assistance in times when I couldn't fulfill my duties (sickness happens).

I am truly grateful to have gotten to know or still be getting to know everyone over the past 14 years. None of this would have been possible without your support. Thank you all! Here's to another year of making a difference!

11/14/2024

08/17/2024

GATTEX is responsible for the growth of intestinal villi. Which in short bowel syndrome patients can be short and stunted. GATTEX was developed to help them grow in length.

The intestine is covered with millions of villi, which are like tiny little fingers that reach out and grab nutrients from food.

New drug treatments for SBS called GLP-2's work by stimulating the growth of these villi so they can absorb more.

08/17/2024

Patients with short bowel syndrome can acquire the skills needed to effectively handle their condition, although achieving full adaptability may be challenging.

Like a lost hand or leg, intestines don’t regrow once gone. Your guts will grow with you, but missing parts will not grow back.

While bodies will adapt and progress can be made, no one completely outgrows SBS.

08/15/2024

A cold in a patient with short bowel syndrome may pose a more significant challenge compared to an individual without this condition.

The gut is a part of the immune system, so little germs are a big deal.

A common cold or stomach bug can cause dumping, slow gut motility, or imbalance gut flora. This can set back months of progress, trigger dehydration, or send us to the hospital.

For those with central lines, every fever is treated as an emergency. Most fevers mean a trip to the emergency department, if not an automatic hospital admission.

08/15/2024

Good to know information about skin care in children. Thanks to the Short Gut Families Support Group for creating and sharing!

SBS allows neither time nor anatomy to neutralize bile acids in the intestine, resulting in highly acidic stool.

This causes severe diaper rash in children & similar pain in adults.

We have to be vigilant about daily skin care from top to... bottom.

08/14/2024

Upcoming webinar by The Oley Foundation about School Readiness and preparing caregivers and schools for the new year!

It's that time of year again! Hearing that your medically complex child can attend school may be shocking, and navigating the enrollment process can be overwhelming for both the caregivers and the school district. You may have heard Ashley speak at Oley 2024. This webinar will reiterate and expand upon her presentation during 'Connecting Life's Stages' and will provide you with important tools as well as guidance on how to navigate the process with your child’s school and medical team.

Tuesday, August 27, 2024
10:00-11:00 a.m. ET

To register, go to bit.ly/oleyschoolreadiness

This webinar will be recorded and available for viewing on our website after the live presentation. Register to receive the direct link to this recording when it becomes available.

This presentation will mainly address elementary, middle, and high school. Join us in September to hear about how to advocate for accommodations in higher education.

Go to oley.org/webinars for more info!

08/08/2024

🌟 August is Short Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month! 🌟 Let's unite to raise awareness and show support for those with SBS during this time 💙💪 As patients of individuals dealing with SBS, you can celebrate by sharing your story, educating others, connecting with fellow warriors by joining our foundation support groups for Families, Adults, GATTEX, and International groups, and practicing self-care and taking care of you and your health.

Remember, you're not alone in this journey! 💛💫 💙🎗️

Want to join one of our many populated groups? Below are the links to request access. All groups are heavily moderated by a team of admins to keep everyone safe and secure in a friendly environment! Our foundation sponsored groups are:

Short Bowel Foundation Adult Support
Short Bowel Syndrome Foundation Families
Short Bowel Foundation International Support
GATTEX(R) Support Group

08/07/2024

🎗️Understanding Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS)

Short Bowel Syndrome happens when parts of the small intestine are missing or removed, leading to difficulty in absorbing nutrients.

🦠Common Causes:
- Birth defects
- Surgical removal due to Crohn’s disease
- Trauma

🔍Our Foundation offers:
- Clear info on SBS
- Support for patients and families
- Resources for better quality of life

Join our community and learn more! 🌐