Holiday Prep with IBD

As we are gearing up for the Holiday Season here is some tips from our CCFA Newsletter. Letter from our President & CEO Living with IBD can be complicated. We want to ensure that patients' access to care is not. That's why we continue to monitor policies that affect our patients, so we can eliminate barriers to accessing care and enable providers to treat patients to the best of their ability. When an insurer proposes changes around treatment options that may adversely affect our patient population, CCFA's Advocacy Committee engages with them. Most recently, we've reached out to Medical Mutual of Ohio, UHC, and Aetna on behalf of our patients, and we've had really promising results. Visit CCFA's Action Center to learn more about IBD advocacy. Sincerely, Richard J. Geswell, CCFA President and CEO IBD and Food: Get Your Full Course Are you curious about the relationship between food and IBD? We've partnered with celebrity cook, television host and UC patient Sunny Anderson, gastroenterologist Dr. Lindsey Albenberg, and Janssen Biotech to launch Get Your Full Course, a new initiative which addresses the paired role of nutrition and therapy in gaining control of IBD symptoms. GetYourFullCourse.com helps you on your journey to IBD wellness with expert-guided videos, research on diet and nutrition, a doctor discussion guide, and more. You can also check out recipes Sunny developed exclusively for GetYourFullCourse.com – meant for people with stabilized IBD – and enter the sweepstakes for a chance to meet Sunny at a CCFA event near you! LEARN MORE ► Tips for Holiday Eating with IBD The holidays can be difficult when it comes to diet. Festivities can have many food choices and options that may not be IBD-friendly, but don't let this get in the way of your fun! Try these tips first. For example, bring your own dish to any event that may not be IBD-friendly, or eat before you go. Find other tips in the article "Eating Tips to get you Through the Holidays" or review our brochure "Diet, Nutrition, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease." For further information and resources, please reach out to the IBD Help Center at info@ccfa.org or call 888-694-8872. GET TIPS ► Help us improve the lives of people with IBD Your gift to CCFA helps fund cutting-edge research for treatments and cures, provides patient support services that are a lifeline to so many, and raises awareness among the public and elected officials. We can't do this crucial work without you. Donate now A Hip Hop Story of Inspiration, Tragedy, and Triumph When Mychelle fell in love with hip hop at a young age, she felt she had found her calling. Unfortunately, during the recording process of her first mixtape at 19, Mychelle fell gravely ill and was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. She struggled to continue working on her music despite undergoing surgery and other complicated treatments. Now in remission, Mychelle is once again ready to hit the studio. She wants her music to encourage listeners to overcome their obstacles. "No matter what negativity may try to come in your life, it doesn't have to stop or hurt you. Take it and run with it towards whatever positive direction you want to go in, and win." READ MORE ► Don't Miss Our Nutrition Webcast Are there potential foods that may trigger a flare? How can my diet complement conventional treatments? Join us this month for our new webcast/teleconference as we answer these and other commonly asked patient questions on the role of diet and nutrition in IBD. Learn tips for ensuring proper nutrition during social gatherings and hear about resources for continuous education and support on Thursday, No​vember 2​0th, 8-9​:15 PM E​ST. REGISTER TODAY ► Don't miss our next Twitter Chat Join us Dece​mber 1, 20​14 4​-5pm E​ST for our next live Twitter Chat to kick off Crohn's & Colitis Awareness Week! Follow #HappyHolidaysIBD to discuss managing IBD and the holidays. Expert physicians and dietitians will answer patient questions. We encourage you to join us! FOLLOW US @CCFA ► FOLLOW US @IBDHelpCenter ► FDA Approves UCERIS® for Distal Ulcerative Colitis Salix Pharmaceuticals announced the FDA approval of UCERIS® (Budesonide) 2mg Rectal Foam for the treatment of mild-to-moderate distal ulcerative colitis. The foam, which is a rectally administered corticosteroid, should be available in January 2015. Currently available rectal therapies have limitations, including difficulty of administration, retention, and insufficient distribution to the distal colon. Join Our Virtual Turkey Trot Team Challenge is getting ready for our first ever virtual Turkey Trot to benefit the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America! On Thanksgiving Day, run a 5K – anywhere! If you do run on Thanksgiving, we promise it's a great way to start your Turkey Day! REGISTER NOW ► Diagnosing and Monitoring IBD Webcast The diagnostic and monitoring process for IBD may involve multiple tests and procedures. Knowing what to expect, and why these tests are routinely performed can help you better manage your disease. Hear from a medical expert as we discuss the diagnostics and monitoring of IBD, including blood tests, endoscopy, biopsy, imaging, and genetic testing. Learn about helpful resources and important questions to ask your healthcare team on Tu​esday, De​cember 2, 20​1​4 from 8-9:1​5PM E​ST. REGISTER NOW ► What's on your holiday shopping list? How about making a difference? Send one of our beautiful and customizable holiday cards this season and you'll be spreading cheer and supporting IBD treatments and cures. Proceeds from your cards will go towards our research, education, and programs. BUY YOUR CCFA HOLIDAY CARDS ►