William Sandborn, M.D., Fighting Against Digestive Diseases, One Step at a Time

April 19, 2012 - PRLog -- La Jolla, CA –  The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America is delighted to announce that William Sandborn, M.D., Chief of Gastroenterology at UCSD and Director of the UCSD IBD Center, will serve as the  Greater San Diego & Desert Area Chapter Corporate Chair for their Take Steps Walk on June 2, 2012 at NTC Park at Liberty Station.

“We are delighted to have Dr. Sandborn’s leadership this year to help generate new revenue, and spread the word about Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.” said Executive Director, Carly Bazzett.   “We need leaders in the community of San Diego to help raise much needed funds and awareness for these diseases that are often overlooked.”

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 track, 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.

In its fifth year, 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 walk or run through a park or community.  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.

“I am happy to lead San Diego’s effort this year on behalf of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation,” said Dr. Sandborn. “This is my opportunity to help change the lives of others by raising awareness and money to help fund critical research for cures. A future free from digestive diseases is within reach and every single person can make a difference.”

For more information about becoming involved in Take Steps for Crohn’s & Colitis, visit www.cctakesteps.org/sandiego  or contact Carly Bazzett at (646) 203-1088 or cbazzett@ccfa.org

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 about Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, visit www.ccfa.org, call 888-694-8872, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ccfasandiego and www.facebook.com/takestepssandiego, or follow CCFA and Take Steps on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ccfasd and www.twitter.com/takesteps.