Nelson, Kelly

English

University of Missouri: MOspace

Ashley Hasty combined her interests in fashion and blogging to raisemoney for Crohn's and colitis research. Photo courtesy of LollipopPhotographyThis site is archival. Please visit the current MIZZOU magazine site for up-to-date content.University of MissouriMIZZOUThe magazine ofthe Mizzou Alumni AssociationHome » Spring 2011 » Around the Columns » Wearing purple for a purposeAround the ColumnsWearing purple for a purposeBy Kelly NelsonAshley Hasty had neverheard of Crohn’s diseasewhen she was diagnosedlast spring, and she feltalone in her struggle. Sixhospital trips and asurgery later, she is nowin remission and workinghard to get the word outabout the diseasethrough her Purple DressProject.Each day of April, Hasty,a doctoral candidate inthe Department ofTextile and Apparel Management, will wear the same purple dress, which was designed by herfriend Janna Merciel, a graduate of Stephens College. Daily, Hasty posts a photo of herself inthe same dress paired with different accessories along with information about Crohn’s diseaseon her blog, A Hasty Life. Hasty combined her hobbies to come up with the idea.“I already have a fashion background, and I’ve had a blog for awhile, so I wanted to combinemy passions for blogging, social media and fashion all in one to raise awareness aboutCrohn’s,” she says.Crohn’s disease is an incurable condition in which a person’s immune system attacks thecolon. Hasty says she created the project to raise money for the Crohn’s and ColitisFoundation of America (CCFA).Because the condition’s symptoms often affect bowel movements, Hasty decided to go for ahttps://mizzoumagarchives.missouri.edu/2011-Spring/columns/... 3/29/21, 9:54 AMmore “stylish” approach to the project.“The disease and symptoms are often embarrassing for people who have it, so I wanted tobring a glamorous touch to the project,” she says. “I chose a purple dress because it’s a prettycolor but is also the color of the ribbon for Crohn’s disease.”As of mid-April, Hasty had already raised $1,280 of her $5,000 goal. The money she raiseswill go directly to research about Crohn’s and colitis. However, she says her main objective isto increase awareness about the relatively unknown disease and understanding of patientsbattling Crohn’s.“My main goal is to tell people about the disease and how awful it is so they can help othersand be more understanding of people who have it,” she says. “I have already received emailsfrom more people than I can count who have Crohn’s disease telling me their stories andthanking me for getting the word out there, so I already feel like it’s been a success.”More 2011 Around the Columns » Follow us on Twitter       Join us on Facebook       Subscribe to our feedPublished by MIZZOU magazine, 109 Reynolds Alumni Center, Columbia, MO 65211 | Phone: 573-882-5916| E-mail: Mizzou@missouri.eduOpinions expressed in this site do not necessarily reflect the official position of MU or the Mizzou AlumniAssociation.Copyright © 2021 — Curators of the University of Missouri. All rights reserved. DMCA and other copyrightinformation.An equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.Last updated: Feb. 15, 2013https://mizzoumagarchives.missouri.edu/2011-Spring/columns/... 3/29/21, 9:54 AM

Wearing purple for a purpose

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Wearing purple for a purpose

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