March Madness at CCFA

Here is our March 2016 Newsletter at CCFA Letter from our President & CEO At CCFA, we have our own "March Madness"—the ideal time to get involved in one of our signature fundraising programs: Take Steps or Team Challenge. This year's Take Steps calendar is up and running, offering more than 120 walks across the country. And for those of you looking for something a little more "challenging," check out the Team Challenge Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon (and 5K) or Bass Lake Classic Triathlon. Finally, we are asking everyone to help us Turn Facebook Orange this month to raise awareness for CCFA and all of the critical support services we offer. Click here for the social assets you'll need. Thanks so much! Michael Osso President & CEO Love, Running, & Ulcerative Colitis Katie and Mike been together through the ups and downs of ulcerative colitis, and they've also been part of the Team Challenge family for almost five years. As Katie says, "Team Challenge introduced me into a whole new world filled with people just like me. We talk openly about our disease without fear, knowing that everyone gets it. It's a support group I never knew existed. It's a family." Read more about Katie and Mike. READ MORE ► March is Colonrectal Cancer (CRC) Prevention Month Now is a great time to review your risk for CRC with your healthcare provider. People with ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease involving the colon, are at an increased risk of developing CRC. However, it is important to note that CRC is preventable and highly treatable in the early stages. Before CRC develops, precancerous tissue can be seen and removed, thereby reducing the risk of that tissue progressing to cancer. Thus, regular screenings and early detection are crucial. To learn more, check out our Colorectal Cancer Fact Sheet, and contact the IBD Help Center at info@ccfa.org for further information on prevention. READ MORE ► New Take Steps Event Experiences! The full 2016 Take Steps walk calendar is ready! With more than 120 walks across the country, there's sure to be an event near you. And this year, we're making sure your experience is more memorable than ever—with new IBD-friendly foods, specific patient recognition, the opportunity to sign our Wall of Hope for yourself or your loved one, new fundraising incentives, and more! Gather your friends, family, and co-workers, register your team, and start fundraising today! Click here to find a walk near you. READ MORE ► Join the Friends with Guts For as little as $5 a month, you'll help sustain critical IBD research—including our Microbiome, Genetics, & Pediatric Initiatives—and get access to exclusive member benefits. Take Charge of Your IBD I'll Be Determined helps you take a closer look at how you are living with IBD. Through video-based tutorials, interactive games, and quizzes, you can explore your disease management options. READ MORE ► Check Out CCFA Partners CCFA Partners are citizen scientists—active, informed, and empowered participants in their medical care. They work with IBD scientists to better understand urgent issues affecting patients and help set the research agenda. Join today by filling out a survey that asks about your disease and quality of life. JOIN TODAY ► Consider Camp Oasis This Summer With summer just around the corner, consider signing up for Camp Oasis—CCFA's co-ed residential summer camp program that enriches the lives of children with IBD by providing them with a safe, fun, and supportive community. SIGN UP ► CCFA provides a comprehensive database of studies, clinical trials and other research on Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Deciding whether to participate in a clinical trial is an important personal decision, best made with a full understanding of the drug development process and a participant's role. CCFA Facebook CCFA Twitter CCFA YouTube CCFA Pinterest Forward Donate to CCFA 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