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Patient Power Honors Jay Pacitti

Nominated by Lois Fink

Jay's Journey

The journey began in 1999 with a diagnosis of Crohn's disease.

Jay Pacitti was a successful attorney, actively pursuing his profession in New York City. He was also an avid cyclist who participated in numerous events that raised funds and awareness for illnesses such as breast cancer and aids. Jay's life would be changed in ways he couldn't imagine as a result of this disease he'd never heard of until that moment.

Thinking there had to be biking events focused on inflammatory bowel disease, the lawyer side began a methodical search, which to his surprise, failed to turn up what he hoped to discover. As those affected by this disease remain confident a cure is in the future, there surely could be a network and organization to empower the individual dealing with the "here and now." This premise became a driving force in Jay's life.

Drawing on the experience he'd gained by being involved in other cycling events and his legal background, Get Your Guts In Gear (GYGIG) was incorporated in August of 2003. Organizing a three-day, 210-mile bike ride is no small feat, but Jay was not one to be daunted by a challenge. Friends and others who had met him were drawn to his easy-going manner as well as his vision, and volunteered to make GYGIG a success and an empowering experience for everyone who participated.

The first GYGIG ride departed from New York City in 2000. Along the way cyclists shared experiences, strength, and hope. At the ride's conclusion, they had become a community supporting one another. This community continued growing as word spread and the second New York ride doubled.

Soon Jay made the bold move and took a leap of faith to devote his time and energy solely to Get Your Guts In Gear. In 2006, after a year of intense planning, the Pacific Northwest Ride was launched as riders took in the scenic loop of Whidbey Island and the Skagit Valley, and a Central Texas ride was added to the GYGIG calendar. The Rides have proven to be vital to the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) community as Riders accomplish physical and emotional triumphs, gain medical insight, and secure long standing support networks. Due to popular demand, GYGIG will add a Midwest Ride in fall of 2009.

Along the way Jay has touched the lives of countless individuals with IBD or those who have undergone ostomy surgery. His enthusiasm, drive, energy, compassion, and love of cycling are apparent whether in one-on-one interactions or in a group setting as he conducts GYGIG Ride orientations.

He draws people together as evident in the countless volunteers who return every year to help make these three-day rides successful, rewarding, and fun, but most important, empowering those with IBD, and proving they can accomplish a very physical feat, in spite of having Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Friendships made during these rides endure beyond three days.

Jay's journey began with a diagnosis-en route he formed an empowered and informed community.

Lois Fink (on left) and Friend
Lois Fink (on left) and Friend

How Lois Knows Jay

I was first introduced to Get Your Guts In Gear by the then Executive Director of the United Ostomy Association of America (UOA) and wondered if I had any ideas on how to pitch it to the media. At the time, the Seattle Ride hadn't begun and GYGIG was only in the New York area.

I began a correspondence with Jay and about 6 months later, I was flown to NY by a pharmaceutical firm to meet with their PR firm's team handling their account for a Crohn's disease drug. They wanted me to sensitize the team, share my story of living with Crohn's, having an ostomy, and giving them the opportunity to ask me questions. I contacted Jay and he was gracious with his time and showed me some of the sights in Manhattan until my meeting. I was instantly drawn to his enthusiasm for GYGIG. Soon after that, Jay contacted me with a proposal I couldn't refuse, I crewed for the NY Ride that summer and have been "hooked" ever since! I've been a crew member for the Seattle Ride since its inception in 2006.

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