Natalie (Sparacio) Hayden is a former TV news anchor and reporter whose mission in life is to be an advocate for those battling inflammatory bowel disease. She was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in July 2005, two months after graduating from Marquette University.

Her award-winning blog, Lights, Camera, Crohn’s, which launched in July 2016, covers everything from overcoming struggles to celebrating small victories throughout all parts of the patient journey from diagnosis and beyond. Since she started her blog, she's written and shared more than 350 articles on that site alone.
Along with her blog, Natalie is part of the Patient Advisory Board for IBD Moms and IBD Social Circle (#IBDSC), on the Patient Engagement Research Council for Janssen Pharmaceutical, and a contributor to Everyday Health, Healthy Women, the IBD Healthline app, Mamas Facing Forward, and IBD Moms. She is also an active volunteer and spokesperson for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, specifically the Mid-America Chapter. Natalie was nominated for and won the Community Cultivator Award for the Social Health Awards as a credit to all she does to support and guide those with IBD.

Natalie and her husband Bobby live in St. Louis and have three children.