Chasing a different dream

Here is our CCFA February 2015 Newsletter Issue Letter from our President & CEO We would like to take a moment to thank our President Corporate Circle members for their continuous support of CCFA's mission. CCFA is able to provide education and support services to hundreds of thousands of IBD patients across the United States thanks to these partnerships. We would like to extend our appreciation to the following companies who have joined us in the battle against Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: AbbVie, Actavis, Celgene, Covidien, Janssen, Pfizer, Prometheus, RedHill Biopharma, Salix, Shire, and Takeda. Richard J. Geswell, CCFA President and CEO Thank you, Richard J. Geswell President & CEO Jenna's Story: Chasing a Different Dream Jenna graduated from the Naval Academy despite undergoing 11 surgeries to address her Crohn's disease while she was there. Unfortunately, she was unable to deploy with IBD, so Jenna was medically retired from the Navy in 2008. Though her dream to serve her country was sidelined by IBD, Jenna eventually came to terms with this devastating blow and moved on to create a great life, of which Team Challenge is a huge part. Running is a key disease management tool for Jenna, and Team Challenge is the perfect fit – combining her love of running with her goal of helping to find cures. READ MORE ► Partner with us to improve IBD research! You're invited to join CCFA Partners, a revolutionary research network for individuals with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. It's easy to join – just create an account and complete a short online survey to get started! In return, you'll have access to these great features: * Tools to better understand your health and what treatments and lifestyle choices work best for you. * Participate in groundbreaking research. * Influence IBD research by proposing, discussing, and voting on research questions. Get started by clicking here. After you join, we'll ask you to complete an online survey every 6 months. LEARN MORE ► Just for Teens In response to the growing number of kids with IBD, we teamed up with the NASPGHAN Foundation for Children's Digestive Health and Nutrition, to launch "Just Like Me," a website for teens with IBD. The interactive site will feature stories and videos from teens with IBD as well as information on things that matter most to young people: school, dating, diet, and coping advice. LEARN MORE ► You Can Make a Difference We can – and must – conquer IBD. Your donation helps fund vital research and support programs at CCFA. Please donate today! Donate now Healthy Living Tip Though certain times of year may make people more susceptible to depression, overall depression affects between 15 and 35 percent of IBD patients. It is important for patients to discuss their emotions with their doctor. Learn more on our website or contact the IBD Help Center at info@ccfa.org. LEARN MORE ► Join us for our next CCFA Facebook Chat! Join us on Wednesday February 25 at 5PM ET for our next CCFA Facebook Chat. The discussion will be hosted by Peter Higgins, MD, from the University of Michigan Health care System and the topic is "What's new and on the horizon in IBD Research". Look out for an invitation on our Facebook page. We're looking forward to your thoughts and questions! JOIN US ON FACEBOOK ► Managing the costs of IBD Managing the costs of IBD can be a challenge. For help in this area, the NeedyMeds website has developed a page dedicated to people with Crohn's and colitis who are looking for financial assistance for their medication, less expensive doctors' visits and more. Visit them online or contact the IBD Help Center at info@ccfa.org. VISIT THE NEEDYMEDS SITE ► CCFA Partnership with AGA & Janssen AGA, CCFA, and Janssen are delighted to announce a new funding opportunity for young investigators and early career scientists looking to understand the role of epigenetics in the pathogenesis of IBD. The grant, which will be awarded in June 2015, is for $300,000 over a period of three years ($100,000 per year) and is inclusive of all indirects (up to 10%). LEARN MORE ► Sign up for Camp Oasis! Camper applications are live and our camps are filling up! Register today and secure your child's spot at Camp Oasis this summer. We try to ensure that every day brings opportunities to try new things, make memories with friends, and just have FUN. Visit our website for more information and to apply! REGISTER ► It's time to Take Steps & walk with us! If you're reading this, you're just in time to register for an upcoming Spring Take Steps walk. We have 140 walks happening nationwide, so there's sure to be one in your community. We would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the winner of our early registration contest – Jamie Mendelsohn from Orlando, FL will receive a hot-off-the-shelf Apple Watch when they are released in April! Thanks to everyone who registered early and entered our contest. REGISTER TODAY ► Search our resources Find your chapter Take Steps Team Challenge CCFA Facebook CCFA Twitter CCFA YouTube CCFA Pinterest Forward Donate to CCFA Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America 7​33 Th​ird Av​en​ue, Sui​te 51​0, Ne​w Y​ork,​ N​Y 10​01​7 www.ccfa.org | 8​00-​93​2-​2​423 Talk with an I​BD Info​rmation Specialist at 88​8.M​y.Gu​t.P​ain | 8​88-​69​4-8​87​2