Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America's National Walk Program Expands Event Day Activities

NEW YORK, March 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America's (CCFA) Take Steps program has launched more than 120 walk events in communities across the country. In 2016, each walk site will see improvements meant to provide new experiences for all participants, with the goal of making the day more meaningful for patients and their families.  Take Steps walks raise critical funds and awareness of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, two debilitating, incurable digestive diseases.

"Take Steps is often the first time a patient meets other patients. We want them to feel empowered, inspired, and connected," says Sherry Rosenfeld, Vice President Take Steps Program. "Veteran fundraising teams will be excited to hear there is more to our walks than in years past and new teams will be welcomed into the CCFA community."

Many enhancements will be seen at Take Steps walk sites:

• Updates to the CCFA Mission Tent will keep patients informed of critical new research updates, patient support services, and educational events.
• The new Wall of Hope will provide a heartfelt mission moment for patients and their families.
• Our patients will receive specially designed patient identification items meant to recognize the strength and courage of our biggest heroes.
• Hope Giver teams and Cures Believer teams, our top fundraisers, will receive special recognition for their hard work and dedication.
• New food labeling will be used to clearly identify options that are more digestive disease friendly.
• Our new on-site CCFA store offers participants the opportunity to purchase branded CCFA swag (in select markets only)
• Participants can show off their team spirit and make some noise with our new swag bags (in select markets only)

Take Steps is the largest charity walk program in the country dedicated to finding cures.  These walks raise funds for critical research and patient support programs while increasing awareness of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, painful and unpredictable digestive diseases.  Our walks are family friendly festivals with activities for everyone including games, music, and great food.  Funds raised through Take Steps will help transform the lives of those impacted by these diseases, and support CCFA's research initiatives, education programs, and patient support programs.  Walk with us today: get started at www.cctakesteps.org.

About Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Known collectively as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis affects 1 in 200 people.  They are painful, medically incurable diseases that attack the digestive system. Crohn's disease may attack anywhere along the digestive tract, while ulcerative colitis inflames only the large intestine (colon). Symptoms may include abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever and weight loss. Many patients require numerous hospitalizations and surgery.  Most people develop the diseases between the ages of 15 and 35; however the incidence is increasing in children.

About the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is the largest voluntary non-profit health organization dedicated to finding cures for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). CCFA's mission is to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults who suffer from these diseases. The Foundation works to fulfill its mission by funding research, providing educational resources for patients and their families, medical professionals, and the public, and furnishing supportive services for those afflicted with IBD. For more information, visit www.ccfa.org, call 888-694-8872 or email [email protected].

SOURCE Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America

Related Links

http://www.ccfa.org