We did it! Thank You

Here is the September Issue of CCFA

Letter from Rick Geswell, CCFA President Rick Geswell As summer comes to a close and fall is upon us, I want to express how tremendously grateful I am to you. You had the opportunity to double your impact in our matching gift challenge, and you rose to the occasion. I am thrilled to announce that together we surpassed our goal of raising $50,000, and that $50,000 was matched! Your generosity has made an enormous difference by putting more than $100,000 toward the fight to find cures and create a future free from IBD. Thank you! Running for Love Karen and Jake Last year, when Jeff Holmes found out he had Crohn's disease, life changed not only for him, but also for his wife, Karen. After several misdiagnoses, Jeff was finally diagnosed with Crohn's and underwent successful surgery. Watching her husband recover from surgery inspired Karen to do more. A month later, in February, Karen was in New York City's Central Park, participating in mid-winter training in preparation for her first Team Challenge marathon. In June, she completed the 13.1-mile Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon in honor of her husband. "Team Challenge helped me feel like I was making a tangible contribution to the cure," says Karen. Next year, the couple plans on running their first Team Challenge half marathon together. Read how Karen and Jeff coped with Crohn's disease together. Living with IBD: Back to School Now that the school year is underway, it is time to study up on how CCFA can help with the transition back to school or college! Students with Crohn's or colitis face extra challenges at the start of the school year: How will their disease affect their grades, or their interactions with teachers and classmates? Education and communication can ease these concerns. Our resources include guides for teachers and parents, as well as ways for college students to connect with others on campus. Understanding Your Risk: C. diff Understand your risk for C. diff Infections of Clostridium difficile – commonly known as C. difficile or C. diff – have been on the rise in recent years. C. diff is a bacterial infection whose symptoms mimic IBD flares, including diarrhea and colon inflammation. Research currently suggests that IBD patients experience a higher rate of C. diff infection. Though the majority of C. diff cases occur in medical care settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and doctors offices, IBD patients are more likely to contract the infection without the typical risk factors. For example, they are more likely to contract C. diff within the community and at younger ages than those without IBD. Read more about C.diff and IBD.