Ann and Amy
The walk, referred to as Take Steps, is now a cherished annual event in Lexington. Each year a “hero” is chosen locally to lead the walk and stand as an example for others in the community who are faced with similar digestive diseases and challenges. In the past two years Lexington’s walk has raised more than $40,000 for patient support and research for digestive diseases.
Ann and Amy, who are twin sisters, exemplify patients who do not let their digestive disease disrupt their ultimate life plans. After initially being diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2001 during her sophomore year at Ohio State, Ann persevered to graduate on time and complete a Master’s degree before moving to Kentucky to begin her teaching career. Ann is now a teacher at Christ the King School.
Amy was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2003 as she finished her undergraduate work at
the University of Dayton. Soon after, she moved to Lexington to complete a Master’s degree at the University of Kentucky and has been accepted to UK’s Physician Assistant Studies Program.
Both sisters are now happily married and thriving in their new Lexington lives. Ann and Amy are a huge encouragement not only to one another but are stand-out examples of what it means to manage a digestive disease while taking their lives where they want them to be. For the past two years the sisters have served as co-leaders of their Take Steps team and are happy to be chosen as Lexington’s Honored Heroes for 2012.
“I was truly touched when I was asked to be an honored hero for this year's Crohn's and Colitis walk. I'm excited to help raise awareness for a cause that is very close to my heart and to participate in the walk for the third year in a row,” says Ann Roberts.
Sister Amy says, “Being chosen as an honored hero was a wonderful surprise and a very special honor. It is even more special to be able to share the title with my sister, Ann, who is truly a hero when it comes to battling Crohn’s disease with a positive outlook. Raising funds for CCF and awareness of Crohn’s and Colitis in the Lexington area has become an annual event for our friends and family, and we are looking forward to the 2012 Take Steps event.”
Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are chronic diseases of the digestive system. These diseases can cause severe complications, including colon cancer in patients with long-term disease. Some 1.4 million American adults and children suffer from Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis, with as many as 150,000 under the age of 18. In Kentucky it is estimated that there are more than 20,000 people living with Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis.
For more information about Take Steps for Crohn’s & Colitis, visit www.cctakesteps.org/
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of Amercia's mission is to cure Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases. The Foundation ranks third among leading health non-profits in the percentage of expense devoted to research toward a cure, and more than 80 cents of every dollar the Foundation spends goes to mission-critical programs. The Foundation consistently meets the standards of the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance (give.org) and the American Institute of Philanthropy (charitywatch.org)
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