Sharan Khela was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2002 as a paediatric patient, an experience that sparked a passion for patient care from an early age. This led her to complete a BSc in Diagnostic Radiography, where she built a strong clinical foundation while managing a chronic illness. She is a former ostomate, having undergone stoma reversal surgery in 2016.
The long-term impact of her condition created gaps in her clinical work, and in 2018 she began volunteering with Crohn’s and Colitis UK. This experience allowed her to combine her clinical knowledge with her passion for graphic design to support patient education and awareness initiatives. Volunteering not only helped her develop new skills but also reignited her sense of purpose, inspiring her to explore a new career path. Through this work, she became acutely aware of the gaps in IBD education and support within ethnically diverse communities.
Motivated by these insights, Sharan co-founded IBDesis, SAIA’s award-winning advocacy arm, with a collective of South Asian patient advocates. This initiative later expanded into the Strategic Alliance for Intercultural Advocacy in GI (SAIA), a global collaboration between patients, clinicians, and researchers dedicated to advancing culturally competent care, education, and advocacy for IBD.
Sharan continues to advocate through her work with SAIA, with particular interests in paediatric IBD care, the transition from paediatric to adult services, and improving health literacy and cultural considerations in gastrointestinal care.