Our Thanks to You

Here is the November Issue of CCFA. Wishing ALL a Very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!

Letter from Rick Geswell, CCFA President Rick Geswell In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, when so many people lost so much, I feel fortunate to have so much to celebrate this Thanksgiving. I am thankful for the tireless efforts of IBD researchers, for our healthcare professionals connecting patients with tools to manage their diseases, and for the hundreds of support groups bringing our ever-expanding community together. But most of all, this Thanksgiving I am thankful for you! None of our work would be possible without generous friends like you who support our mission. I hope you will join me in celebrating IBD Awareness Week this December 1-7. Together we can accomplish even more for those living with IBD. Patient Story: Pregnant with IBD Abby Searfoss and friends at college Jaclyn describes her first pregnancy in 2009 as "great." She gained weight, felt fit and the baby was healthy. Six months after giving birth to Liam, she developed what she thought was the stomach flu – but over-the-counter medications didn't help. Two months later, she ended up in the ER with a 102-degree fever and weighing 98 pounds. All signs pointed to Crohn's, but before they could get a second opinion, Jaclyn found out she was pregnant again. Air Travel and IBD Air travel presents unique challenges for IBD patients. Before you head to the airport this holiday season, prepare for security screenings by printing and reviewing our Air Travel Talking Points Card. You can also join CCFA as a member to receive our "I Can't Wait" restroom access card to help you explain your condition to others. For more information on air travel, including tips on alerting TSA screeners to your medical conditions, and traveling with an ostomy, view our Air Travel FAQ. Shop for CCFA! Start a fundraising page with CCFA! Make a difference for patients living with IBD with your holiday shopping. Before you take advantage of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, take just a minute to sign up for Socialvest and have your everyday purchases at over 800 online retailers benefit CCFA today – and all year long! Download the free browser app. In addition, 10% of all online sales of K'NEX toys will be donated to support CCFA's pediatric research programs until December 15th. Finally, there is still time to purchase CCFA holiday cards – send holiday cheer to your friends and family while supporting research for cures!

Breakthroughs in IBD research

Here is the October Issue of CCFA

Letter from Rick Geswell, CCFA President Rick Geswell We have a number of exciting projects in the works at CCFA this fall, including a new teleconference next month exploring the latest breakthroughs in research. We're also working to raise awareness by making sure our legislators are helping us find cures. You can help by asking your legislator to join others in support of issues important to our patients and loved ones. In addition, we've created a new way to fundraise through personalized fundraising pages. Finally, we're excited to announce the launch of Campus Connection, a website designed for students with IBD. This site will connect students with IBD and create a community of shared experiences to reinforce that you are not alone! The Do's and Don'ts of College Life with IBD Abby Searfoss and friends at college When you're in college, coping with IBD can feel extremely overwhelming at times – but with the right management, you can still have a fruitful, fun-filled college experience. Abby Searfoss, a National Youth Leadership Council member and junior at the University of Connecticut, is living proof – she deals with Crohn's every day. Her advice? Know your body, utilize your health services department and share your story. Read more of Abby's tips on the "do's and don'ts" of handling IBD while away at school. Teleconference: Breakthroughs in IBD Research Research on Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis has increased tremendously in recent years, leading to exciting discoveries. This advanced teleconference/webcast, presented by James Lewis, MD of the University of Pennsylvania and chairman of CCFA's National Scientific Advisory Committee, will explore the latest breakthroughs in IBD research, including microbiome and biomarker findings. Join us on November 15th at 8:00 PM ET to learn about new targets for treatment and how to be involved in IBD research. Register today! Help us find cures – start a fundraising page! Start a fundraising page with CCFA! Now you can celebrate occasions and honor loved ones by fundraising for CCFA! Create a personalized fundraising page to mark a birthday, holiday, special event, or to honor a loved one. Tell your story and why you're helping to find cures. Then, ask your friends and family to donate to your page, and help us raise $5,000 by November 1st. Your support will have a direct impact on those who need it most. Eighty-two cents of every dollar raised goes toward our mission-critical programs, services and breakthrough research. Create your page today! Find the Latest Clinical Trials Find Clinical Trials in your area CCFA maintains a comprehensive database of studies, clinical trials, and other research into Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Some of the clinical trials recently added to our list include the FUSCIA study by Sanofi, the Contribute study by Santarus and TRUST-I by Coronado Biosciences. By participating in a medical study or clinical trial, you can have a more active role in your own health care, gain access to new research treatments before they become widely available, and help others by contributing to medical research. Deciding whether you should participate in a study or clinical trial is an important personal decision, best made with a full understanding of the process of drug development and your specific role. Learn more about clinical trials and how you can get involved. OCTOBER 2012 ISSUE Support Research for Happier Lives With the number of IBD patients on the rise, CCFA needs your support now more than ever to fund cutting-edge IBD research.Your gift today helps discover tomorrow's treatments and cures. Talk with your doctor about flu prevention Flu prevention Patients with IBD are at high risk for serious complications from the flu. Ask your doctor whether you or your child with IBD should be vaccinated against the flu. Healthy starts here! Holiday Cards Send Holiday Cheer with CCFA When you send a CCFA holiday card, you'll not only stay in touch with your loved ones, but you'll help us move one step closer to cures. Proceeds from your purchase will benefit our research, education, and support programs. Buy your CCFA holiday cards today! Donate Now YouTube Facebook Twitter Forward to a friend

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.

3rd Day of DNC

As this is the last night of the Democratic National Convention I am going to sum it up in one word CONSISTENCY. Consistency is what the DNC has and is what kept the HIGH ENERGY going throughout the 3 day Convention so for ALL the speakers that spoke at the Convention to the diversity we saw out in the crowd. As we come to a close for the DNC the one moment that stood out to me was former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords saying the Pledge of Alligence to me that inspire HOPE. I HOPE 2 see YOU at the POLES this November. PLEASE GET OUT and VOTE your Voice matters we ALL have a VOICE for Change. Gabby Giffords President Obama Speech

2nd Day of DNC

As millions know or may NOT know that this is an Election year and we our gearing up to reelect President Obama. So tonight was the 2nd Night of the DNC what a POWERFUL night is was yet again after coming down off First Lady Michelle Obama's Electrifying speech she gave last night we as Democrats were still KICKING it into OVER drive with former President Bill Clinton. We were also touch with an arousing and Point of View story that was given by candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts. What I see with this Democratic National Convention is consistency from the diversity of Americans all the way down to the Speaker given there Speech's this has been one of the most Powerful, Electrifying, Motivation, Uplifting, Joyful, Energetic Convention I've seen in quite sometime. I JUST LOVE IT!! Here is Elizabeth Warren Speech After that speech was given by Elizabeth Warren the most powerful speech that was given by Americas then President Former President Bill Clinton.

Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention

Tonight was the start of the Democratic National Convention which was held in Charlotte North Carolina. The DNC started off with a BLAST from Key Note Speaker out of San Antonio Texas Julian Castro. Here is his Speech After Julian Castro gave his Speech that KICK OFF the Democratic National Convention and rally ALL American Voters to back Barack Obama the First Lady Michelle Obama came out after a Heart warming Welcome from a Military Mom Elaine Byre.Then First Lady Michelle Obama took to the stage and gave a Powerful speech that tugged on the Heart strings of America First Lady Michelle painted a picture of Love, Determination, Struggle, Down to Earth, Hard Working , Family Man that has come along way. First Lady Michelle Obama Speech

An exciting opportunity

Here is the August Issue of CCFA

Letter from Rick Geswell, CCFA President If you care about discovering better treatments and cures for IBD – and I know you do – I have some exciting news. Right now, when you make a gift to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, your donation will automatically double! A donor has generously offered to match every donation we receive in response to this campaign up to a total of $50,000 – which would put $100,000 toward IBD research and awareness-building efforts. This matching offer will last only until September 15th, so I hope you'll take advantage by making your most generous gift today. Your support will do twice as much work in our fight to find cures for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. More than my diagnosis Alyssa Zeldenrust Alyssa Zeldenrust was diagnosed with Crohn's disease when she was 14 years old and underwent many treatment options, including a feeding tube. Since 2010, she has lived with a permanent ileostomy. Despite serious struggles with her health, Alyssa has worked to build connections with other patients she has met through programs like CCFA's Camp Oasis, Take Steps, and her own blog, Love for Mutant Guts. "I am more than my disease!" Alyssa declares. "I am a Christian. I am a student. I am a lover of the earth, art, good food and good company. I love fighting pain and injustice with compassion. I am a hugger. I choose to have these statements to define who I am beyond my diagnosis." Read Alyssa's story in her own words. Take Steps Be Heard! CCFA is preparing for another great season for Take Steps Be Heard! This fall, thousands of community members will gather at 78 walk sites around the country to make their voices heard in the fight against Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. In just five years, Take Steps has raised almost $40 million for research and patient services. In addition to raising funds to bring us closer to better treatment and cures, Take Steps walks are an excellent way to meet other IBD patients, family members, and new friends. Join the fun by registering today at www.cctakesteps.org. Resource: Transitioning to Adulthood with IBD As we enter back-to-school season, many older teens and young adults with IBD have questions about the transition from pediatric to adult care. Our recent webcast "Transitions in IBD: Graduating to Young Adult Care" is now available free online! Learn from IBD experts Dr. Laurie Fishman and Maureen Kelly, MS, RN, CPNP about the differences in IBD treatment and management options when transitioning care as well as best practices and goals to improve the quality of life during this often difficult time. Listen to this free webcast now.