Last chance to sign up for our treatments webcast!

Here is the July issue of CCFA'S Newsletter. Letter from Rick Geswell, CCFA President & CEO Rick Geswell, CCFA President and CEO With all the fun activities that come with the summer, it's important to take time to focus on your health – especially for those living with IBD. Our educational webcast on IBD treatments is just two days away, and I hope you'll join us and learn more about your treatment options and how to figure out what's best for you. See below for more – and register before it’s too late! What's the best treatment for you? Molly Roberts IBD treatments have come a long way in the past few years, but with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to make the choices that best meet your needs. At CCFA, our goal is to empower patients and provide the tools and information needed to manage IBD, so we hope you will join us for our educational webcast, What's Best for Me? Treatment Options in IBD, on July 17th from 8-9:15 PM EST. Throughout the webcast, we'll discuss current treatment options, the associated risks and benefit and the best resources to help you make informed decisions. Register today! read more Team Challenge: A Family Affair Tavish and Hilari Margers and their two sons, Devon and Trevor, have been Team Challenge fundraisers since 2010. Tavish explains, "The 2010 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon was my first race ever. I joined so I could help find a cure for my son Trevor's Crohn's disease. Running and fundraising can be described as things 'way outside my comfort zone' – but I made it through to race day. Thousands of people were there to share my experience, and it was one of the best days of my life. "Now when I see that finish line, I think back to that first race and recall the overwhelming feelings of pride and accomplishment. I'm racing again in 2014 and it will be more special than ever. My son Trevor is now old enough to run with me – and his first race will also be the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon with Team Challenge!" Want to join Tavish and Trevor in Vegas? Attend an upcoming informational meeting where you'll meet a coach and learn more about how Team Challenge changes lives. Immunizations & IBD As a patient or parent of a patient with a chronic disease, it's understandable to have questions about immunizations and vaccination schedules. Some common questions are: - Can I get a flu shot and/or the shingles vaccine? - Can my child follow the same vaccination schedule as the general population? - Can I be vaccinated with a "live" and/or "killed" virus? Adults and children with IBD should generally follow the same vaccination schedules as the general population. The only exceptions are people taking medications that suppress the immune system, such as corticosteroids, immunomodulators and anti-TNF therapies – these individuals should not receive any live virus vaccines. In general, the best time to vaccinate is when someone is newly diagnosed with IBD, before any immunosuppressive therapy has begun. However, patients and parents of patients should always discuss the risks and benefits of vaccines with a doctor. Please reach out to our IBD Help Center for additional information or guidance at info@ccfa.org. JULY 2014 ISSUE The Power of 2 Power of 2 is a peer-to-peer support program that connects people (via phone, email or Skype) with other patients or caregivers affected by IBD. Individuals over the age of 10 are matched with a peer mentor with similar medical experiences and/or personal. If you need support or would like to become a peer mentor, contact your local CCFA chapter today. Your Support Matters The support of people like you makes all the difference in our groundbreaking research for treatments and cures. Donate now. Team Challenge Participants Take Steps for Cures this Fall Thank you to everyone who came out and supported Take Steps this past spring! We are now gearing up for our fall walk season with over 45 walks scheduled across the country. Please register today – you can become a team captain and walk for cures with your friends and family!