Read Up On IBD This Month

Here is the October issue of our CCFA News Letter. Letter from our President & CEO What's even scarier than Halloween? Not understanding your healthcare options. Fortunately, it's Health Literacy Month—and we've got you covered! Our patient brochures, fact sheets, and webcasts are just a few ways you can educate yourself about IBD so you can communicate better with your doctor and ensure you're getting the best care possible. You can also reach out to our IBD Help Center at info@ccfa.org or 888-MY-GUT-PAIN (888-694-8872) for further information and guidance. Wishing you a happy—and safe—Halloween! Michael Osso President & CEO Recipients Announced for 2016 Sherman Prize! Congratulations to Eva Szigethy, MD, PhD, and James D. Lewis, MD, MSCE, for receiving the 2016 Sherman Prize for Excellence in Crohn’s and Colitis—the first of its kind to honor exceptional and pioneering achievements in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Congratulations also to Lea Ann Chen, MD, the first recipient of the Sherman Emerging Leader Prize. Dr. Szigethy is co-director of the UPMC Total Care-IBD Program and associate professor of psychiatry, medicine, and pediatrics in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Dr. Lewis is a professor of medicine and epidemiology and associate director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine; and Dr. Chen is an assistant professor of medicine at the NYU School of Medicine, as well as an attending physician at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. Funded by the Bruce and Cynthia Sherman Charitable Foundation, the awards recognize outstanding contributions by healthcare professionals, medical researchers, patient advocates, and educators who are advancing patient care, medical research, and public service in the field of IBD. Read more about this year's recipients and sign up for notifications of the 2017 nomination period. READ MORE ► Did You Know the DOD Funds IBD Research? It's true! The Department of Defense (DOD)'s Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program supports research across a limited range of scientific areas—with an underlying goal of enhancing the health and wellbeing of service personnel, their families, and the veteran population. Since 2008, over $17.9 million has been awarded to IBD medical research initiatives through the DOD. IBD is associated with service in the Persian Gulf and the prevalence of IBD increased among veterans between 1998 and 2009. Every year, Congress decides which conditions are eligible for study—so please join CCFA today in urging Congress to include IBD in the program this year. JOIN TODAY ► Make a Gift to CCFA Today Our groundbreaking research and patient services depend on your support. October Facebook Chat: Living with an Ostomy More than 750,000 Americans have an ostomy—a surgically created opening in the abdomen that connects an organ to the outside of the body. Join nurse Alexis Sherman of Mount Sinai Hospital for a Facebook chat on living with an ostomy October 26 from 8-9 p.m. EST. Submit your questions to socialmedia@ccfa.org. FOLLOW US ► October Twitter Chat Being an informed patient helps you to communicate better with your doctor and ensure that you are getting the best care possible. CCFA strives to provide information that is both easy to access and understand. Our brochures, fact sheets, and webcasts are just a few ways that patients can educate themselves about their disease and become their own advocate. To help you improve your IBD healthcare literacy, we are hosting a Twitter chat with Dr. Lauren K. Tormey (@LaurenTormeyMD) of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Jaime Weinstein (@JaimeEditor), a Crohn’s disease patient and advocate. The chat will take place on Wednesday, October 19th from 8-9 p.m. EST. Tag @CCFA in your questions using the hashtag #IBDchat and follow CCFA on Twitter for all of the latest updates. LEARN MORE ► Put Some "Spring" in Your Step Our spring 2017 Take Steps walks are now open for registration! And while you're at it, check out our new website design, which showcases our patients through unique storytelling that is sure to inspire recently diagnosed patients and their families. READ MORE ► Prevention is Key: A Webcast on Colorectal Cancer Colorectal cancer is highly treatable in the early stages, so early detection is crucial. Learn more about colorectal cancer and steps you can take now to help reduce your risk in this webcast. LEARN MORE ► 16 Real-Life Stories From People With Ulcerative Colitis What can you learn from other people's experiences with IBD? Our partners at Everyday Health rounded up true stories about life with ulcerative colitis—from managing common symptoms to staying active, finding love, and traveling the world. Start by choosing a topic and then hear from other people who've dealt with similar issues. READ MORE ► Want to Make a Difference? Join the Team! Team Challenge is headed for New Orleans and the Rock 'n' Roll 10k, Half Marathon, and Marathon on February 5th. Training starts soon—so join us now to discover a stronger you while fighting IBD. Click here to learn more & have a local manager contact you. LEARN MORE ► Together, We Have the #power2cure Join the movement and #partyonabike with us! spin4 crohn's & colitis cures is an exciting, high energy, indoor cycling relay you don't want to miss. Reserve your bike now or learn more and have a team member contact you. But hurry—bikes are limited! JOIN NOW ► CCFA provides a comprehensive database of studies, clinical trials, and other research on Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. If you'd like to participate, you can search for current and upcoming opportunities here. 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. 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