On Saturday, June 6, 2009, walkers at Cleveland’s Progressive Field will Take Steps to help the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) raise critical research dollars to help find cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These debilitating diseases affect the lives of over 1.4 million American and often require hospitalization and surgery. To date there is no known cure.
This is the second year that the event is being held in Northeast Ohio. Last year, 750 walkers took part in the two- to three- mile walk in downtown Cleveland. This year, Cleveland Clinic’s Digestive Disease Institute is a proud sponsor of this event and has created a team of sponsors and walkers. Nationally, 30,000 Americans in 65 cities took part in the inaugural Take Steps walk in 2008, raising a total of $6 million for the Foundation to invest in research, education and support.
“As an academic medical center that cares for more than 3,000 patients with Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis each year, it is extremely important to us at Cleveland Clinic to support the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America,” says Victor W. Fazio, MD, Chairman of Cleveland Clinic’s Digestive Disease Institute and the surgical affairs liaison on the CCFA’s National Scientific Advisory Committee’s cabinet.
Since its inception in 1967, the CCFA has invested about $136 million in research worldwide. While many significant advances have been made in treating Crohn’s and Colitis, Dr. Fazio says it is critical to continue the research that may one day find the cure for IBD.
“We also whole-heartedly encourage our patients to join the CCFA, which provides unmatched educational resources for patients suffering from Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis,” Dr. Fazio says.
If you would like to join the Take Steps walk for Crohn’s and Colitis, visit ccfa.org to find out if there is an event in your area.
