Meet Liz Mercer - Central Ohio's 2010 Honored Hero!
Now a senior at Bishop Ready High School, eighteen year old Liz Mercer is the typical senior; playing varsity soccer, running track, participating on the National Beta Club and serving as a student ambassador. However, Liz deals with issues that most high school students never even consider. When Liz was nine years old she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease.
Early in her diagnosis, Liz endured a lot of difficulty trying to find a medication that worked for her. During this time, she discovered CCFA's children's camp, Camp Oasis. "When I first found out about Camp Oasis, it was a relief to know that I could go somewhere where everyone understood what I was going through." Liz says. In the beginning, concerns about managing her medication and other issues made Liz hesitant to leave home. But with the help of staff, nurses and other campers, she overcame these obstacles and the many others that Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis throw at patients.
Now a counselor, Liz's experiences at camp are just as important as her Remicade. "The opportunity to be yourself with people who understand you is the best feeling anyone can ask for and that is exactly what Camp Oasis has to give to kids with these diseases." "I now look at Camp Oasis as my home away from home." She has attended camp every year since her first.
Because of Liz's determined commitment, enthusiasm and compassion to find a cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the Central Ohio chapter of CCFA is proud to announce Liz Mercer as the 2010 Take Steps Honored Hero. Please join Liz and CCFA as we work together to raise awareness and needed funds to someday find a cause and cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis...and someday give Liz a day without pain or medicine.
Central Ohio Support Groups Please note: All support group listings are subject to change. COLUMBUS SUPPORT GROUP 1st Monday of the month - 7 p.m. City BBQ: Reynoldsburg 5979 E. Main Street Reynoldsburg, Ohio Facilitator: Tammy and Ryan Wagner rttwagner@juno.com
FAIRFIELD COUNTY SUPPORT GROUP Next meeting will be held on September 28, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. Riverview Medical Bldg. 2405 N. Columbus Street, Suite 140 Lancaster, Ohio 43130 Facilitator: Kathy Stemen 740-654-3698
PORTSMOUTH SUPPORT GROUP 2201 25th Street Gibson Building Portsmouth, Ohio 45662 Facilitator: Angel Farmer 740-259-5080
DELAWARE SUPPORT GROUP August 11th 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. September 1st 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. October 6th 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. November 3rd 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Delaware County Library 84 E. Winter Street Delaware, Ohio 43015 Facilitator: Julie McDonough 740-990-9102
MARIETTA SUPPORT GROUP 1st Tuesday of the month - 7 p.m. Marietta Memorial Hospital 4th Floor Computer Room Marietta, Ohio 45750 Facilitator: Nancy Tjapkes nancytjapkes@msn.com, 740-373-4899
ZANESVILLE SUPPORT GROUP 2nd Thursday of the month - 6:30 p.m. Comfort Inn 500 Monroe Street Zanesville, Ohio 43701 Facilitator: Tony Murphy tmurph85@columbus.rr.com
CHILLICOTHE SUPPORT GROUP 1st Monday of the month - 7:00 p.m. Adena Regional Medical Center West Entrance, Adena Room 272 Hospital Road Chillicothe, Ohio 45601 Facilitator: Vicki Hankins vhankins@adena.org, 740-703-9625
We are looking for facilitators in other areas of Central Ohio. If interested please contact our office: Kelly Bush, Development Manager Phone: 614-889-6060 Email: kbush@ccfa.org
CCFA Central Ohio is now on Facebook! Visit us at CCFA Central Ohio and become a fan!
Volunteers and Interns Needed
We are always looking for volunteers to help in the office with light administrative tasks as well as volunteers to help with one of our many special events.
We are also currently taking applications for Marketing & PR interns. The interns will work closely with our staff to provide assistance with special programs, event marketing and promotion and general office needs.
If interested or for more information please contact: Kelly Bush, Development Manager Phone: 614-889-6060 Email: kbush@ccfa.org
Trustees Amy Bixel Ryan Carvalho, M.D. Wallace Crandall, M.D. Aimee D'Amore James Ervin Jeff Mattingly Tania Moon Jennifer Neuenschwander Mark Stechschulte, M.D.
2009 Committee Chairs
Ohio Nurse's Day Program and Luncheon Sheryl Pfeil, M.D. Debbie Sauls Jan Marie Smith Hayley's Hope Skate-a-Thon Colleen Shaw Hayley Shaw Zanesville Bowl-A-Thon Tony Murphy
Address: Phone: 614-889-6060 
