Meet Gabby Viola – IBD Warrior and Advocate
Gabriella “Gabby” Viola is a 15-year-old World Champion martial artist and a prominent advocate for the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) community. Diagnosed with indeterminate bowel disease at age 7, she is widely known as an “IBD Warrior” for her resilience in competing at the highest levels of sport karate and kickboxing while managing a chronic autoimmune condition.
The “IBD Warrior” & Advocate
- Diagnosis: Diagnosed in 2018 at age 7 with IBD (an incurable form of colitis), she faces symptoms including internal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, fatigue, and joint inflammation.
- Ongoing Treatment: She undergoes regular medical infusions at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and manages her health through specialized diets and medication.
- Advocacy: Gabby serves as a Health Advocate for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, raising awareness for young athletes living with invisible illnesses and lobbying for research.
- Fundraising: She is a top fundraiser for community initiatives like “Kick Parkinson’s Disease” and other neurodegenerative research efforts.
Athletic Achievements
Gabby is a third-generation martial artist training at her family’s Allegheny Shotokan Viola Karate Dojo in Pennsylvania.
- World Titles: She is a multiple-time World Champion, including:
- WAKO World Champion (2024, Budapest).
- ICO World Champion (2025, Wales), where she set a tournament record with 9 gold medals.
- WKC World Champion (multiple titles in Portugal and Florida).
- Team USA & U.S. Army: She is currently ranked #1 nationally in her division (-55 kg) by WAKO USA. In 2025, she was selected as a sponsored athlete for the U.S. Army Fight Team, representing America in international competitions.
Community & Leadership Roles
- PAL Goodwill Ambassador: Represents the Western PA Police Athletic League, focusing on youth mentorship and positive police-community relations.
- Edgar Snyder & Associates Ambassador: Selected as an athlete ambassador for 2026 to represent excellence and perseverance.
- Instructor: She serves as an instructor for the Norwin Ninjas program, teaching younger children the discipline of martial arts.
Upcoming 2026 world championship schedule in Abu Dhabi, France, Italy, and Spain.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a group of chronic, lifelong conditions characterized by severe inflammation in the digestive tract. It is primarily an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
The Three Main Types
- Crohn’s Disease: Can affect any part of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus. It often involves all layers of the intestinal wall and appears in “patches” with healthy tissue in between.
- Ulcerative Colitis (UC): Limited to the large intestine (colon) and rectum. It typically causes continuous inflammation in the innermost lining of the colon.
- Indeterminate Colitis: A diagnosis used for about 10% of cases (like Gabby Viola’s early diagnosis) where features of both Crohn’s and UC are present, making it difficult for doctors to definitively categorize the disease.
Common Symptoms & Flares
IBD is unpredictable, alternating between periods of remission (no symptoms) and flares (active disease).
- Physical Signs: Chronic diarrhea (often bloody), severe abdominal pain and cramping, extreme fatigue, and unintended weight loss.
- Beyond the Gut: Inflammation can also affect the joints (arthritis), eyes, and skin.
- Growth in Children: Pediatric patients may experience delayed growth or puberty due to malabsorption of nutrients.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Because symptoms mimic other conditions like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), definitive diagnosis requires several steps:
- Diagnostic Tools: Doctors use blood tests, stool samples (checking for biomarkers like calprotectin), and imaging such as MRE or CT scans.
- Endoscopy: Procedures like a colonoscopy or capsule endoscopy (swallowing a tiny camera) allow doctors to see the inflammation directly and take biopsies.
- Treatment: While there is currently no cure, the goal is to induce and maintain remission. Common treatments include:
- Biologics: Powerful medications (often infusions or self-injections) that target specific proteins causing inflammation.
- Dietary Management: During flares, a “low-residue” or low-fiber diet is often recommended to rest the bowel.
- Surgery: In severe cases, removing damaged sections of the intestine (resection) or the entire colon (colectomy) may be necessary.
For reliable resources and community support, many patients turn to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
