Friday, January 25, 2013

Her Story: Amy Brenneman

Did you know that Actress of the Hit ABC Television Show Private Practice Amy Brenneman was diagnose with Ulcerative Colitis here is her Story about the FIGHT against IBD and Amy's Awareness Campaign. We are delighted about the launch of our national awareness campaign featuring acclaimed actress Amy Brenneman. Nearly 1 in 200 Americans have IBD, yet these diseases are rarely discussed. CCFA is working hard to change that. This campaign is designed to start the conversation and raise awareness to help those suffering from IBD, but we need your help.
Her Story: Amy Brenneman Here are a few things I have done in my life: Ran a 5:22 mile. Climbed to 19,000 feet in the Himalayas. Went on stage with Bell’s palsy. Played St. Joan while I had strep throat. Worked until two weeks before I delivered Charlotte. Went back to work two weeks after I delivered Charlotte. Played Robert DeNiro’s love interest and lived to tell the tale. Played Sylvester Stallone’s love interest and lived to tell the tale. Survived five fertility treatments. Survived two miscarriages. Survived three generations of familial insanity. Survived ulcerative colitis. It started subtly with cramping. Then urgency. Rushing to the restroom. Weight loss. Hair loss. Visits to a homeopath, naturopath, nutritionist, acupuncturist, and massage therapist. Countless medications and ultimately surgery. Years ago, my doctor told me there was a surgical solution, but I thought, I will never do that. But surgery ended up being what healed me. I'm so grateful to Western medicine. And while I have found a way past my ulcerative colitis, there are so many who still suffer. That's why I'm an active supporter of the CCFA. They are helping people understand these conditions, building wider awareness and are tirelessly are working towards a cure. Everyone with IBD has a story to tell. This is mine. Now that Amy is feeling healthy, she is focusing on her career and her family. By day, she is an accomplished actress. By night, she is wife and mother. Married for 17 years to director Brad Silberling, she is mother to Charlotte, 11 and Bodhi, 7. Join Amy and support the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America with these quick, easy ways: • Join a Take Steps Walk in your area. • Give a gift in honor of the 1.4 million Americans with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. • Sign up for CCFA's monthly e-newsletter. • Register to take a survey at CCFA Partners and help other IBD patients. • Use #EscapeTheStall with a link to www.escapethestall.com on your social networks. We want to thank the team at Draftfcb for their efforts in helping us develop this awareness campaign and for donating their talents pro bono. Your dedication is greatly appreciated. Special thanks to Amy Brenneman and her team for lending their support. Amy Brenneman is an actress, writer, and producer. Her acting credits include Judging Amy, The Jane Austen Book Club and Private Practice. Learn more about her at: http://theamybrenneman.com/.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Escape the Stall: Our New Awareness Campaign

HAPPIE NEW YEAR! Here is the January 2013 CCFA News Issue
Letter from Rick Geswell, CCFA President Rick Geswell Thank you for making 2012 such a success in the fight for a future free from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). You had the opportunity to double your impact in our matching gift challenge, and you rose to the occasion. Together we raised over $80,000 which was doubled by our board members. Thank you! We'd also like to recognize members of the President's Corporate Circle. Year after year, our pharmaceutical partners provide generous support that enables us to launch key initiatives: Abbott, Aptalis, Coronado Biosciences, Janssen Biotech, Inc., Prometheus Laboratories, Inc., Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Santarus, Inc., Shire, Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., and Warner Chilcott. We're also thrilled to announce the launch of our exciting awareness campaign, which you'll read more about below. Thanks to your generosity and the support of our partners, we can truly look forward to a successful 2013! Amy Brenneman Helps Launch New Awareness Campaign Actress Amy Brenneman Nearly 1 in 200 Americans live with Crohn's or ulcerative colitis, yet these diseases are rarely discussed. CCFA is working hard to change that and we are delighted to announce the official launch of our national awareness campaign featuring acclaimed actress Amy Brenneman! We've already received a lot of great coverage for the new campaign, and you can look for our ads on TV, in movie theaters, billboards, airports, and online. This campaign is designed to start the conversation and raise awareness for those suffering from IBD, but we need your help. Read Amy's story and help us put IBD on the map in 2013! read more Resolve to Take Steps in 2013! Jack Sullivan and other supporters This year, we have 158 Take Steps walks across the country. More than a walk, Take Steps is a celebration dedicated to the Crohn's and colitis community, including music, food, and activities for the whole family. When you register or start a team, you'll help support people like 13-year-old Jack Sullivan, whose world changed when he was diagnosed. He lost weight, couldn't play sports, and missed school while his doctors worked to come up with a treatment plan. "I don't think any child should have to feel sick all the time," Jack says. Read Jack's story and register or start a team today! read more Latest IBD Webcast Available Now If you missed the live program or want to listen again, the archive of our Breakthroughs in IBD Research teleconference is now available! In this program, Dr. James Lewis of the University of Pennsylvania discusses recent research discoveries, including findings on the microbiome, new targets for treatment, and clinical trial data. You can find this and all of our previous webcasts on our website and learn more about progress made towards finding cures! read more go to "http://www.ccfa.org"