Category: CCFA – Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation

I never knew being sick could be so rewarding! Actually it is my sister who suffers with Crohn’s disease. Yet throught it all we’ve had a lot of trips to the ER, met Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, and been to San Jose for the Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon!

Crohn’s & Colitis Advocacy Day
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Crohn’s & Colitis Advocacy Day

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I spent Wednesday in Olympia with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation as they met with legislatures throughout the day sharing their stories and issues that are important to families touched by IBD (including my own).  Advocating for state-based legislation that ensures treatment decisions are kept between the patient and their medical professional not the insurance companies.

Next year the group hopes to present a bill addressing those concerns. With ACA possibly on it’s way out the state might well end up being the salvation for those suffering from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in our state.

It was interesting to note that more than half of the members we visited (or their liaisons) had an indirect connection to someone suffering from the disease.

There is no question that CCFA will be a force in Washington – stay tuned!

Visit the CCFA on our Facebook page.  #IBDadvocacyWA!

2016 Annual CCFA Benefit Luncheon
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2016 Annual CCFA Benefit Luncheon

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“Providing Hope, Inspiring Action”…It was a day of giving for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Northwest Chapter as supporters gathered for the annual event that raises funds and awareness in support of research, patient progress and treatment progress for this most debilitating disease. Having a sister that suffers yet lives fully with the illness, it is always heart-wrenching  and heart-warming to hear stories of those who have conquered the disease in their own way. Erin Stedman shared her story which was totally different than that of her sister who also has the disease. Erin somehow managed her pain and suffering while planning a wedding and later having a baby. Surrounded by family and love definitely pulled her through. And then there was Trina who received the McCready Family Award whose story was just as inspiring.

See all the images here.

 

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Raising money for Crohn’s & Colitis

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On Thursday, April 24th hundreds of guests arrived at Olive 8 for the 2014 Annual Benefit Luncheon for Crohn’s & Colitis. Sandra Kim, MD presented a lively presentation on PROKIDS – discussing research and results of studies with young children with the disease. Tony Ventrella was engaging as he shared wit and widsom on living with challenging conditions no matter what the age. Mike and Ashley McCready presented the 2014 McCready Family Award to Lisa and Norm Judah; outstanding volunteers who are dedicated to helping others living with chronic illness.

I myself would like to thank CCFA for their work in the Seattle area.

Click here to see all the images.

Auctions · CCFA - Crohn's and Colitis Foundation · Current

Crohn’s & Colitis Benefit held November 9th

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The dice were flying and the bidding was furious at the annual Casino Night & Auction benefiting the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation here in Seattle. Over $60,000 was raised with patrons walking away with VIP Pearl Jam concert tickets, Dinner with Nancy Leson, a Sayulita getaway just to mention a few.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis affect both children and adults. My sister was diagnosed over 30 years ago and today lives a very active life despite the occasional flareup and trip to the ER. Having a local chapter in our own backyard has been most helpful.

Find out more about Crohn’s & Colitis by clicking here.

Download your complimentary social media files here!

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CCFA - Crohn's and Colitis Foundation

Camp Oasis Magazine now available!

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CCFA Camp Oasis 2012

Camp Oasis is a place where kids with UC and Crohn’s disease can go and play and just be kids. Sponsored by Northwest Chapter Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, Bellevue Washington. Proceeds from the sale of this magazine benefit the local chapter.

28 pages, published 10/26/2012

You can view ALL the images taken at this year’s Camp Oasis here:
Auctions · CCFA - Crohn's and Colitis Foundation · Current

CCFA Casino Night & Auction

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It was a grand party for the local Crohn’s & Colitis chapter as they hosted their CCFA Casino Night & Auction at 415 Westlake.  Bidding was exciting as guests vied for trips, tickets to Pearl Jam concerts, chef’s dinner party and more.  Nancy Leson was on hand to share her involvement with CCFA. Of course, there were some exciting moments on the casino floor as well….click here for more images

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CCFA Luncheon at Olive 8

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I support the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation because my sister has dealt with the disease for over 20 years. Giving back to CCFA is an honor.  Meeting special people like Mike McCready and his lovely wife, the kids at Camp Oasis is all very rewarding. Once again I was on hand to offer my photographic skills in capturing the annual benefit luncheon.  You can view the images from the luncheon be clicking here. 

Mike McCready & Ashley O’Connor Award 2012 goes to Ghassan Wahbeh, MD

Below Ashley McCready and Barb Wodzin pose for a photo at the luncheon.

The Kennard Family get a chance to meet Mike McCready. Their yound son suffers from Crohn’s just like Mike.

CCFA - Crohn's and Colitis Foundation · Current

McCready, Wappler and Chaplin – Support CCFA

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Chrohn’s and Colitis Foundation Annual Benefit Luncheon
April 27, 2011 ~ Hyatt at Olive 8 ~ Seattle, Washington

Once again I was on hand for the annual CCFA Luncheon where a wide variety of guests told their stories and expressed their thanks to the Northwest Chapter of CCFA.  A lovely video presentation was created of images I had taken at Camp Oasis last summer – there was not a dry eye in the house!

Guest speakers included; Mike McCready of Pearl Jam (who shocked the nation when he admitted he was suffering from Chrohn’s disease several years ago); Andy Wappler whose father, weatherman Harry Wappler suffered with Chrohn’s for most of his life, with just a few confidants knowing of his illness) and Barbara Chaplin, recipient of the Mike McCready & Ashlley O’Conner Award this year.  Barbara’s story is like that of so many others – shame and fear of having a life-long illness.  Upon hearing of Lois Fink’s 5K run in support of people with IBD, she and her husband become involved with others who lived with the same illness.  She became a CCFA board member, raising funds and awareness and hasn’t stopped since!

My sister has Chrohn’s disease and that’s why I offer my time and talent to this worthwhile organization that opened so many doors for her. Learning how to live life instead of the disease living life for you is a major hurdle many of these patients can conquer. Keep up the good work!

Click here to view all the luncheon photos!

Andy Wappler, Harry Wappler, Lois Fink, Barbara Chaplin
Lois Fink is joined by Andy Wappler and Barbara Chaplin
Barbara Chaplin is the recipient of the Mike McCready & Ashley O'Conner Award
Barbara Chaplin is the recipient of the Mike McCready & Ashley O'Conner Award
Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Andy Wappler son of weatherman Harry Wappler
Mike McCready of Pearl Jam and Andy Wappler meet for the first time.
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Fun at CCFA Camp Oasis

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My sister has Crohn’s disease. We are active in the local chapters and always willing to help out especially if it involves kids and photography! I took my buddy Mike with me and we spent the day with these remarkable kids  at Camp Oasis; commonly known as Camp Colman. Activities included archery, art’s & crafts, swimming & boating, and the sport of ‘gaga’!  You would not think that these kids have issues due to UC and Crohn’s; their energy levels are so high!  I have published a ‘magazine’ that can be purchased online with all proceeds going to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation here in Seattle.

Purchase your magazine here:  http://www.magcloud.com/browse/Issue/123270

 

CCFA - Crohn's and Colitis Foundation · Current

Taking Steps for CCFA

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It was a wonderful afternoon as hundreds gathered for the “Take Steps for  CCFA” annual 5k run/walk. Patients and family members along with friends raised money to help find a cure for Crohn’s and UC. My sister being a patient I donated my time to capture images of the event while she walked! Young and old crossed the finish line with happy smiles on their faces knowing they had made a difference…click here to see Vol 1.  click here to see Vol 2.