Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis and Be Heard!

April 23, 2012 - PRLog -- In just five years,  Take Steps for Crohn’s & Colitis,  the nation’s largest walk program dedicated to raising funds and awareness for digestive diseases, is now in all fifty US states raising essential funds and awareness for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis -- two chronic, painful digestive diseases that affect 1 in 200 American adults and children.

“We are so proud of the progress our Take Steps program has made over the past five years,” said Richard Geswell, President of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. “It’s the Foundation’s largest fundraising program and is fueling critical research that is getting us closer and closer to cures.”

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are painful, medically incurable illnesses that attack the digestive system. Crohn's disease may attack anywhere along the digestive track, while ulcerative colitis inflames only the large intestine (colon). Symptoms may include abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever, weight loss and fatigue. Many patients require hospitalization and surgery.  Most people develop the diseases between the ages of 15 and 35; however the incidence is increasing in young people.

Take Steps is the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s national walk program to raise money for critical research and awareness about these painful and unpredictable digestive diseases.  Thousands of people will gather this spring and summer at 158 walk sites across the country to join the fight against Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The walks are family friendly festivals with activities for everyone including bands, games, activities, food and a leisurely walk through a park.  Take Steps Walks have raised over $30 million for research and patient support services. The program is committed to transforming the lives of those impacted by these diseases and leading them to a brighter future through well-funded, cutting-edge scientific research. Join us in this effort –register today at www.cctakesteps.org and take a step toward a future free from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

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, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ccfafb and www.facebook.com/ccfatakesteps, or follow CCFA and Take Steps on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ccfa and www.twitter.com/takesteps.