Invite all your friends!!!!!!!! Tuesday May 10- ALL DAY!!!!

PRINT FLYER OR JUST MENTION YOU ARE WITH CCFA AND PUCCINI'S WILL DONATE 20% TO OUT CAUSE. ALL DAY TUESDAY MAY 10th.

CCFA has launched a new interactive website for patients called I’ll Be Determined

CCFA has launched a new interactive website for patients called I’ll Be Determined

Click here to view the website

EVERY WEDNESDAY IN APRIL! ENJOY PIZZA & HELP US FUNDRAISE, WHILE BUILDING AWARENESS

BoomBozz Pizza's Frankfort Avenue Location is Hosting a Fundraising and Awareness Event for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation

Every Wednesday in April

Dine In or Carry-In

YOU MUST PRESENT THE FLYER

Please hand out to all friends, family, church members, co-workers!
The more awareness the better!

One Teacher Gets Her Class Involved to Build Awareness and Raise Funds!

Dana Wallen, Team Captain of The Irritables, is getting her 2nd grade class involved in her fundraising. Not only is she holding a contest to see what class raises the most money, but she is having the 2nd graders "Learn about IBD and Digestive Diseases."

Below is Dana's Story:

Over the next two weeks my school, Meadowthorpe Elementary, will be holding a fundraiser to help support Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). Meadowthorpe has a long track record of fundraising that helps inform their students of the many different foundations, however this is the first year the school has supported CCFA. This is due to my efforts in hoping to find new ways to fundraise for our team, The Irritables, for the upcoming Lexington Take Steps Walk. This has also been made possible due to the support of our new principal, Mr. Katte, who is familiar with Crohn's.


This is proving to be a great tool for raising funds and awareness of IBD and CCFA. Several of my students will be explaining Crohn's & Colitis on our morning show (in elementary terms that are easily understood), as well as telling about the coin drive that will take place. Each class has been given a yellow or pink bucket (which were donated) to collect change over the two week time period. The class that raises the most money will receive a party, which will hopefully be fully donated. I look forward to seeing how much our 500+ students are able to raise for this great foundation!

10 Ways to Customize Your Personal Page

Welcome.... Lexington's Honored Hero

Lexington, Kentucky – March 7, 2011 – Maizie’s Schwarz deals with her Crohn’s Disease like a champion. Diagnosed the summer of 2010—just two days before her 13th birthday—she took the news amazingly well and continues to live life with gusto.

Despite losing 25 pounds and dealing with difficult pain and anemia, Maizie continued on a mission trip with her church group to Tennessee where she worked on homes for the needy people. She also participated in two weeks of strenuous band camp for her high school marching band. Upon her return home she found she had developed several abscesses in her intestines.

In the months that followed, Maizie had a variety of doctor’s appointments—which often required drinking nasty liquids— being probed and poked, photographed, talked at and generally feeling exhausted. However, Maizie does not act like a victim.

“I choose to go on with my life and continue to take part in the stuff I enjoy doing. Band is a huge part of my life and I don’t ever want to let down the team by not continuing to work as hard as I can.”

According to Maizie’s mom Amy Schwarz, “Maizie deals with her disease fiercely. I never heard her say, ‘Why did this happen to me?’ She never uses her disease as an excuse and she constantly maintains a positive attitude and fighting spirit.”

Since her initial diagnosis only five months ago, she has had two rounds of PICC line IV antibiotics, a handful of different medications, and finally an ileostomy.

"As I walked away from her sitting in that hospital bed just a couple of weeks ago,” said Amy, “both of us knowing that she was getting ready to enter into surgery with no clear results, she smiled and told me everything would be okay. To me, those are the words of a true hero.”

Maizie is inspiring other people in Lexington area to participate in the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s Kentucky Chapter ‘s Take Steps Walk on Saturday May 14, 2011 at 4:00p in Lexington on the Legacy Trail and Coldstream Park Trailhead.





“I am so glad that there are fundraisers like this one to help fund the research being done in the Crohn’s and Colitis field. It is important that awareness is raised about these diseases.”

Scarp Book for a Good Cause!

Scrapbooking Party

Do you love scrapbooking? Use your creativity to help raise funds for Take Steps. Make a few sample holiday scrapbook pages and invite friends to come over for an evening of prepping scrapbook pages for the holidays. Invite all your friends and family over, ask them to pay an entry fee and provide light appetizers and refreshments as you enjoy the day treasuring memories.

The personal journey of Natalie's Crusader's Team Captain

My name is Natalie and I have Crohn's. It should have came as no surprise in 2007 when I was diagnosed. My mother and twin brother had already been diagnosed. I currently have a younger sister who is finally going to a doctor, to see if she has it due to her having the symptoms.


I really didn't think much of the disease when I was diagnosed. I constantly had to run to the bathroom a lot, already. My husband was even getting used to driving me home while we were out running errands on the weekend, I hate using public restrooms! I started taking medication but switched to over the counter pro-biotics, after having problems with the meds. I was on them for over a year and had great success.

In May 2010, I awoke to severe abdominal pain. I layed around for a few hours praying it would go away. With no luck, I went to the ER. I told them I thought I was having a bowel obstruction because I had no appetite (and I eat all the time) and was constipated. After doing some tests, they sent me home with pain pills and steroids. I felt miserable and lounged around the house the whole next day. When my husband came home from work that evening, I finally managed to get up off the couch and realized that my stomach was extremely swollen.

We made another trip to the hospital, this time I was admitted. I was headed towards the worst few months of my life and had no clue. I spent two weeks in the hospital, having had surgery one week into my visit. It was after many tests and doctors trying to decide what to do. I had a bowel obstruction and it was severe. I ended up with an ileostomy from the surgery, which I was able to have reversed in September 2010. The ileostomy was the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with in my life. Thank goodness for supportive friends and family, whom took such good care of me.

I am walking to raise awareness of this diease and money for finding a cure. People don't realize how the symptoms of this disease affect every aspect of a person's life. I spent most of my summer cooped up in the house because I couldn't do anything. I spent a lot of time away from my three children and a lot of time off work. Others don't realize the pain, fatigue, and embarrassment that comes with this disease.

I'm hoping a cure is found for my children's sake. My children have seen all that I have gone through and they have voiced concern to me that they are afraid they will have to go through the same thing. I can only comfort them in saying that it's possible they won't end up with Crohn's, but let's hope there is a cure one day.

My mother is helping me with fundraising ideas. She is planning on getting her office to have a dress down day and maybe a couple of raffles. I am also planning on coordinating a Penny War at my children's school. The winning class will get a pizza party or some kind of treat. I will also be calling on neighbors, friends, and family.

As a Realtor with Semonin Realtors, I was excited to get our local chapter of the CCFA into the Home Life Perks program, we will soon be launching. I should have flyers available soon that will allow you to sign up for discounts while shopping, traveling, and dining. It's free to join and you may invite as many people as you like. Almost every purchase made will have a small portion donated to the CCFA, helping to bring awareness and money to our cause.

How to Raise $500 in 9 Days

How to Raise $500 in 9 Days

Day 1: Start by sponsoring yourself for $25 $25

Day 2: Ask two family members to sponsor you for $25 each $50

Day 3: Ask five friends to contribute $20 each $100

Day 4: Ask five co-workers to contribute $10 each $50

Day 5: Ask five neighbors to contribute $10 each $50

Day 6: Ask five people from your church/temple for $10 each $50

Day 7: Ask your boss for a company contribution of $25 $25

Day 8: Ask five local merchants to sponsor you for $20 each $100

Day 9: Ask two businesses you frequent for $25 $50

TOTAL: You’ll see it’s simple to raise $500 in only nine days! $500

Hosting a Penny War at school or work to raise money!

If you haven’t participated in Penny Wars yet, here is how to do it.


• Divide your group into teams. In a company, this can be different departments. In a school, it can be different grades or home rooms.

• Put buckets out for each team – usually for 3 – 5 days. (The real action comes on the last hour of the last day anyway).

• Teams want to accumulate the most POINTS. You get ONE point for every penny in your bucket. You get two points for every rolled penny in your bucket (so a roll of 50 pennies is worth 100 points).

• Teams will LOSE points for every SILVER coin or dollar bill that another team throws into their bucket. So if someone throws a $5 bill into your bucket, your team loses 500 points.

• The strategy – don’t let the other team know how many rolled pennies you have until the last minute – then dump them in and see the dollar bills fly in to take your points away.

• In the end, count your money, take it to the bank and turn in your money for your team. It is as simple as that!

How To Create a Successful Letter Writing Campaign!

One of the easiest and most effective ways to raise money for your Take Steps team is to create a letter writing campaign. By simply drafting a “Dear Family and Friends,” letter explaining why you and your family are participating Take Steps, you can easily reach a wide range of supporters and receive a lot of donations.


Step 1: Develop Your Mailing List

Who will you send your letter to? Remember, the larger your distribution list, the larger your results. Be sure to include the following groups in your letter mailing list: address book, rolodex, holiday card list, church/club directories, vendors, classmates, roommates, teachers, neighbors, co-workers, teammates, fraternal/alumni groups, businesses you frequent, business colleagues & anyone else you can think of!

Step 2: Write Your Personal Letter

The most effective letter will come directly from your heart. Personal stories and experience have the greatest impact on your reader and will raise money.

Suggested things to include:

• Your personal story and reason why you involved in the walk

• Your fund-raising goal

• A deadline for donations and reminder that donations are tax-deductible

• A link to your Team website to make donations (www.cctakesteps.org/louisville)

• A reminder that checks should be made out to CCFA

• A photo of your family member or friend with IBD (if applicable)

• An invitation to join your team and fundraise, too!

Sample letters are available to help get you started. If you would like assistance writing your letter, call our office at (646) 623-2620 or e-mail Jenny Silberisen at jsilberisen@ccfa.org

Step 3: Increase Your Response

Once your letter is written, here are a few tips for increasing the donations you receive from your letter campaign:

1. Personalize each letter with the recipient’s name. You can use your word processor’s mail merge function for this. Another way would be to copy the letter with the salutation “Dear ________” and hand-write the person’s name.

2. Personally sign each letter. If possible, use blue ink so it doesn’t look like the letter was simply photocopied. Also, include a brief personal note below your signature. It can be as simple as “Thanks in advance, Bob!”

3. Use actual stamps instead of a postage meter.

4. Handwrite the envelopes. The more personal your letter looks, the more likely the recipient will open it and respond.

(OVER)



Step 4: Mail Your Letters

Ideally, your letters should go out 6-8 weeks before the walk



Step 5: Collect the Money

Collect donations at home and/or encourage your contacts to donate online on your Walk Team webpage.



Step 6: Write Your Thank You Notes

Be sure to send out thank your notes or letters to all of your supporters announcing your success.

Join Us for to Kick Off the Louisville Take Steps Walk, Just RSVP by Feb 25th

P



SOME DAYS YOU’RE THE DOG, SOME DAYS YOU’RE THE HYDRANT!

One Tough Pup’s Battle with IBS

Digestive disorders have become somewhat of the norm in the Dodson household, since my husband Jason was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2009. Since Crohn’s Disease runs in Jason’s family, we’ve known there would always be a chance that any children we have might also have Crohn’s. We were so surprised, however, when we learned that the first addition to our family, Bentley (our 8 month old Labradoodle) seems to have inherited Jason’s problematic belly!

We adopted Bentley at the end of September 2010, when he was just 3 months old. He was skinny and skittish, and as sweet as the day is long! In the 5 months that we’ve had Bentley, he has more than doubled in size, sometimes seeming more like a horse than a dog. As steady as Bentley’s growth has been, his puppy-hood has been filled with the battles familiar to all of us dealing with Crohn’s, Colitis, or IBS as a patient or loved one. Bentley’s initial symptoms suggested a food allergy. Yet, after months of only eating hypoallergenic food (arguably more bland than rice cakes) and still having problems, our vet gave us the surprising news that he believed Bentley was suffering from IBS. Who knew?!?! We’ve been pleasantly surprised to learn that pet companies are responding to the needs of dogs with digestive orders by offering everything from probiotics to specially digestive foods and treats.

So, what have we have learned from Bentley and his on-going bout with digestive disease? First and foremost, attitude is everything! Bentley has taken his belly ups and downs in complete stride, and with the same enthusiasm that causes us to love our dogs so much to begin with. He accepts his changes in diet eagerly, excited about even the blandest dog food as though it were a royal feast. He thinks of probiotic powder as a yummy seasoning salt, and takes acid indigestion pills like they’re treats. He never lets an achy belly keep from a nice long walk or a wild, crazy run through the dog park. He loves to meet new people, and takes a rub on his belly as an offer of lifelong friendship. He’s never too sick to steal a shoe, chew up an important document, demolish a chew toy, or catch a ball. Bentley has become our excited little champion of IBS, and we’re so excited to have him walk with us this year in our continuing fight against digestive diseases!

Rachelle Dodson

Get Your School Involved!

Get a school fundraiser scheduled now for the spring before the calendar fills up. Ask to speak to the PTA/PTO to get them involved. Suggest doing a Take Steps for Crohn’s and Colitis week where the kids do a different fundraiser each day and share information about Crohn’s Disease and colitis with students and faculty.

Me, Myself and Crohn's, a volunteer & patient's story on how she became involved.

In March of 2007, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease after my father took me to the emergency room due to the intense abdominal pain and the lack of bowel movements in the previous weeks. It was going to happen eventually I suppose, since my younger brother was diagnosed with it in 2004. For the past 4 years, my Crohn’s Disease has made it a hobby to stick me in the hospital for several days with a flare or increase my depression at just the “right” times. Oh that Crohn’s Disease is tricky!

Since being diagnosed, I’ve been on a wide array of medications. The one that has remained a constant is Azathioprine (Imuran). Currently my dose sits at 225mg a day. I also take Welchol to help with the number of daily trips to the bathroom. I can definitely tell a difference since I’ve been on that, as it has decreased those trips probably by half.

The last time I was admitted to the hospital due to my Crohn’s Disease was December 23rd, 2009. I spent the entire Christmas holiday in the hospital and did not get released until very late Christmas Day (afternoon). It was then and there I became fed up with ending up in the hospital at least once a year due to my disease. I had enough and thought it was time to look at other options.

But before I looked into those other options, on January 3rd, 2010 I made the ultimate commitment to Crohn’s and Colitis awareness. Instead of the better known purple awareness ribbon, I had my tattoo artist create a purple ribbon that looks like intestines (colon). Below it is a semicolon, and that was done because of my best friend. She made the joke that people about people with IBDs having part of their colon removed wondering if it became a semicolon. : ; - get it? The "Because it matters" is because finding better treatments or a cure should matter to everyone, not just patients, but family members as well.

I made a call to University Surgical Associates at the end of January to make an appointment with Dr. Susan Galandiuk, as she was highly recommended. The first appointment was towards the end of April. When my appointment time finally got here, I was both anxious and nervous especially with the thought of a possible major surgery looming in my future. We talked about the surgery, the process, the possible complications, and she answered any questions I had. When I asked her if surgery would benefit me, she said yes I decided to go ahead and schedule it. My surgery was scheduled for June 7th, 2010, which fell two days after the first Take Steps walk in Louisville. It was either irony or fate that my surgery was scheduled for that date.

The day of my surgery quickly snuck up on me. Surgery was done with no major complications. Dr. Galandiuk removed 9 and a half inches of my small intestine out (and re-sectioned) along with removing what she said was “the biggest fistula” she had ever seen. I spent a week in the hospital and then I was finally able to go home and finish my recovery. It was an additional 3 weeks before I allowed back at work.

Since then I have become very involved with volunteering for the Kentucky Chapter for CCFA. Most recently I’ve been helping Jenny Silberisen with getting the word out about CCFA and IBDs by assisting in getting blog postings up and doing Facebook updates as needed. I have also assisted at the educational programs that were put on in 2010 in both Louisville and Lexington along with the Love Your Guts fundraiser. Anything that Jenny needs and I can do, all she has to do is ask (or me offer)! It’s like I became one of Jenny’s right hand man (or in my case woman), and volunteering has made me feel like I’m needed and gives me a purpose. It’s very important to get the word out about IBDs, and volunteering allows me to do that and so much more.

Because of volunteering and fundraising, I have had the chance to meet people I would have not normally would have met. After posting on an unofficial bulletin board at work, I met a gentleman that works in the same building as I do whose young son was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. I told him about CCFA and how they were trying to get a Kentucky chapter started and how volunteering would be a beneficial thing for the both of them to do. Just a few weeks ago, I posted again on the unofficial bulletin board trying to fundraise for this year’s Take Steps walk. I received an email from a lady who worked in the building next to mine who was recently diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and she had so many questions about it and my experience. I told her my story and made sure she knew that I was there for her if she needed someone to talk to. Without my volunteering opportunities and fundraising efforts, I would not have met these people who are dealing with Crohn’s disease and give them some kind of support they may not have had otherwise.

So that is my story. I hope you will share it with others who may be dealing with issues related to IBDs.

Dressing Down for Digestive Diseases

Are you looking for an easy way to get your office involved in your cause? Why not host a "Dressing Down for Digestive Diseases"

Contact Jenny Silberisen (646) 623-2620 or kentucky@ccfa.org for the Dressing Down for Digestive Diseases Packet. The packet comes ready with everything you need to make your event a success.

The Packet Includes,

- Recruitment Flyers to help promote your event

- Sample Emails

- Foot Prints to hang around the office as people donate

- Paycheck Stuffers

- Printer ready Stickers to print and wear on the day of the event

Team Triple C is on a roll......

I became involved with CCFA (The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America) because I have Crohn's and know firsthand the suffering I have been through with this disease. I wanted to make a difference and that is precisely why I am fundraising.

I started my team The Triple C’s which stands for Crushing Crohn’s and Colitis. I reached my initial goal of $250 simply by sending out emails to friends and families. (Some I had to send a few reminders, too, but that's ok). I have used many of the templates provided on the Take Steps (www.cctakesteps.org) website, but have tweaked them to give a personal touch for my friends and family. I always include their name on the letter and make sure to add a personal note to them, like "Be sure to say hi to George for me" or something like that. I want them know I truly appreciate all their support to help me reach my goal and to build awareness. I don’t want them thinking all I care about is their money, I want them to feel special. And WHO doesn't like to feel special!?! We all do! I always follow up with a personal email after I receive a donation from someone and let them know they will be getting a Thank You letter (receipt) in mail soon. I also include a personal note at the bottom of their receipt. I mail it to them ASAP. Follow up is extremely important.

I increased my personal goal in the last week. My team is placing jars on their desk for coin donations at work and around at local businesses. They are a great group! I send them an email every week thanking them for doing such a great job! Also I include different ideas for fundraising that they might not have thought of yet – these ideas are on the website, too. I don't send them all at once, because I don't want to overwhelm them. I just appreciate what they are doing and that they have agreed to be part of my team.

CCFA is a wonderful organization. I am proud to be part of it and am excited about the Walk this May!

Krispy Kreme Fundraiser! Great Team Wrap Around Event

Are you in need of a fundraising idea for your team and you LOVE Krispy Kreme Donuts?

Kripsy Kreme has four different ways you can rasie money. Click the link below and read more about them.

CLICK HERE

Publisher's Printing in Shepherdsville KY has partnered with CCFA

Louisville, KY  – January 26, 2011 – Publisher’s Printing in Shepherdsville, KY has partnered with CCFA in Kentucky as one of the sponsors for the Louisville Take Steps Walk on Saturday May 21, 2011 at 5pm at Waterfront Park’s Harbor Lawn. Like hundreds of thousands of other Americans around the country participating in over 100 Take Steps Walks, Publisher’s Printing is helping to raise much-needed awareness of and funds for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, chronic and painful digestive diseases impacting over 1.4 million American adults and children including over 19,000 in Kentucky.

MEET LOUISVILLE'S 2011 HONORED HERO

Ashley Bittenbender may be a shy and somewhat reserved teenager on the outside, but on the inside she is tough and a fighter. She has to be because she battles a debilitating disease known as Ulcerative Colitis.
After a year suffering from chronic symptoms, Ashley was diagnosed in August of 2010. “It can be hard,” said thirteen-year-old Ashley, “because the joint pain and the chronic fatigue get in my way. But in a way it also makes me stronger.” That is especially true when she’s doing the one thing she enjoys most – being the goal-keeper for a competitive girls traveling soccer team in Indiana.

“Ashley is very athletic,” said her mom Dr. Casey Bittenbender, “but when she got sick she was sidelined from the game and that was very hard on her. However, while she struggles daily with these issues she also accepts them and adjusts her life accordingly. She’s a trooper and uses her faith in God to get her through.”
Although Ashley considers herself your “average” girl, she excels in school and loves science and history. When she’s not studying or playing soccer, you can guarantee she’s listening to music. She is also an avid lover of animals, especially horses, and one day wants to be a veterinarian.

“Having UC is a serious pain. Fortunately I have been very blessed and have only had a few flares, others aren't so lucky. Lots of kids who have the same disease spend a lot of time in the hospital because their disease is really severe and their medication can't keep it under control. We desperately need a cure.”

How much Spirit have your got? Show it and be entered to win $20 towards your team!!!

How much Spirit have you got? Can you help raise Take Steps to the next level this year? Join us in our National Take Steps Spirit Week as we challenge every registered walker to raise a minimum of $30 on their personal fundraising page by January 16. And if you show us your spirit, we will show you ours by entering you in to win $20 towards your team.

If every registered walker raises $30 or donates $30 to themselves, we would have raised over $70,000 in just ONE WEEK to go to research efforts and support programs.