New England September E-Newsletter
Published: October 8, 2019
New England E-Newsletter September 2019 Edition
In this Issue
Executive Director Thoughts | Humanitarian of the Year | Advocacy on Beacon Hill | Student Leaders | Online Community | Acupuncture in IBD | Team Challenge | Take Steps | Save the Date
Happy 50th Anniversary
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the New England Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Thanks to the tenacity and commitment of four families, who as the parents of children diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, came together and formed the New England chapter. Those parents, Joan & Ted Cutler, Barbara & Leo Karas, Rhoda & Eliot Lifland, and Harriet & Joseph Finn created a chapter of support, education, advocacy as well as local events to raise money to fund research.
I am excited to share our 50th Tribute page that highlights the accomplishments of the last 50 years as well as photos from the gala that was started back in 1977 to help fund advancements in research and education.
We will be celebrating the 50th year at the Fete for Crohn’s & Colitis at the Museum of Fine Arts on Saturday November 2, 2019. We hope you will join us as we honor two amazing individuals, Dr. Matt Hamilton, Humanitarian of the Year and Stephen Marcus, Man of the Year. For more details on the Fete for Crohn's & Colitis click here.
Thank you,
Kimberly Snapper
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Regional Executive Director
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On Saturday, November 2, the Fete for Crohn’s & Colitis will celebrate the New England chapter’s past 5 decades of volunteer leaders and movement toward cures for IBD. Join us at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston at 6:30pm! We will be honoring Stephen Marcus as Man of the Year (who will be featured in next month’s newsletter) as well as Matt Hamilton, MD as Humanitarian of the Year.
Dr. Hamilton is the Director of Translational Research at Brigham & Women’s Hospital Crohn’s & Colitis Center. His research focuses on characterizing the many phenotypes of IBD at both the clinical and molecular level providing personalized therapies. Dr. Hamilton has gained national recognition for his clinical and scientific expertise in IBD, it is his patient-centered approach to care that he is most proud of. He has been on the Foundation’s Chapter Medical Advisory Committee for eight years, served as the chair for 2 years and has been a panelist/speaker at multiple patient and professional education events.
For more information about the Fete or to donate please visit www.crohnscolitisfete.org or contact Kristine Poirier at [email protected] or 781-898-8091.
Thank you to our generous sponsors.
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Join us and advocate for the IBD community on Beacon Hill!
On Wednesday, October 23, the Foundation is hosting an advocacy day in Boston to help educate state legislators on the needs of the IBD community. Patients, caregivers, family members and health care providers are all welcome to join! Over the course of the day, advocates will receive legislative training from Foundation staff and will have the opportunity to meet with their state representatives, senators, and legislative staff members.
If you are interested in attending or have any questions, please reach out to Aarushi Malhotra or Jake Johnson.
Calling all Student Leaders!
If you are a college student with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, or have a loved one affected, and you want to make an impact, you can apply to be a part of the National Council of College Leaders! Applications are due on October 17, 2019. For more information, click here.
Crohn's & Colitis Online Community
The Foundation offers an Online Community where you can get the support you need in managing your condition 24/7. We pride ourselves in not only providing access to accurate and up-to-date information but also providing a caring community of people who understand what it mean to live with inflammatory bowel disease.
Our online community has discussion boards, personal stories and an expert Q&A where you can submit questions for healthcare professionals to answer. There are forums for the newly diagnosed, managing symptoms, treatments, diet and nutrition and so much more. Consider joining our online community to ask questions or even share what has worked for you. Get connected today!
Acupuncture in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Acupuncture is one of the oldest therapies of traditional Chinese medicine, dating back more than 3,000 years. In the Western world, specifically in the United States, acupuncture drew attention starting in the 1970s after The New York Times described that James Reston, press secretary for Richard Nixon underwent an appendectomy when traveling to China and successfully managed post-surgical pain with the help of acupuncture. In 1990, acupuncture was approved in the U.S. as a medical therapy for pain management and in 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recommendation that doctors should be aware of acupuncture as potential management tools for pain that may help avoid opioid prescriptions and prevent opioid dependence…
Increased intestinal sensitivity leading to abdominal pain and diarrhea, as well as delayed bowel movement (gastrointestinal dysmotility) are common among IBD patients. Some studies evaluated stimulation of specific acupoints and reported that these symptoms can be improved by acupuncture. Through both clinical trials and analysis of the published literature, moxibustion was found beneficial for improvement of abdominal pain and diarrhea in patients with intestinal sensitivity.
Research is ongoing to assess the benefits of acupuncture beyond pain management. Some studies relevant to IBD reported that acupuncture and moxibustion improved GI symptoms, including: abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, and nausea, as well as alleviating s inflammation…
Click here to read the complete article.
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Join us in Key West this winter! Run or walk along the scenic route with your Team Challenge Family at the Key West Half Marathon & 5k on January 19th. Contact Brianne at [email protected] with questions!
Can’t make it in January? Learn more about our other Team Challenge events at www.ccteamchallenge.org/newengland
The IRONMAN® World Championships in Kona Hawaii is every triathlete’s ultimate finish line.
For Eric Knight, a cure for his son Joshua is just a big a dream as racing in Kona.
What’s your price for a cure?
One lucky winner will place their bid and WIN their entry to the 2020 race! Even better, they’ll be contributing to our mission to fund and find cures.
For more details visit http://tckona2020.givesmart.com or text “tckona2020” to 52182
Walk for a cure on October 5th - Stanley Park, Westfield, MA @10am
Take Steps Western Mass is just 10 days away!
Save the Dates
Take Steps Walk Western MA
Saturday, October 5, 2019 | Westfield, MA
Fête for Crohn's & Colitis
Saturday, November 2, 2019 | Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Western MA Patient Education Program
Wednesday, November 6, 2019 | Holyoke, MA
Rock n Roll Las Vegas Marathon, Half Marathon 5K, 10K
Sunday, November 17, 2019 | Las Vegas, CA
Maine Patient Education Program
Tuesday, November 2, 2019 | Portland, ME
Boston Take Steps Awards Party
Monday, November 4 | Boston, MA
Rhode Island Patient & Family Education Program
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 | Providence, RI
Pediatric Patient Education Program
Sunday, November 17, 2019 | Worcester, MA
Key West Half Marathon & 5K
Sunday, January 19, 2020 | Key West, FL
Royal Flush for Crohn's & Colitis
Friday, February 28, 2020 |Commonwealth Hotel, Boston, MA