Join CCFA, the official charity of the Las Vegas Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, this December as we race down the Vegas strip to help change the lives of 1.4 million Americans.  Experience live entertainment, a fast and flat course and lots of Vegas fanfare...like Elvis Mania, run-thru weddings and much more.  It will be 13.1 miles that you will never forget! The season has already started so become a
Team Challenge Rockstar today!

WWW.CCTEAMCHALLENGE.ORG
Desareé Stevens - Endurance Manager - dvega@ccfa.org  210.452.7129

All support group listings are subject to change. Support Groups meet monthly, unless otherwise noted.  Please call the Chapter to confirm the meeting date, time, and place. 

WE'RE GETTING TOGETHER...
All CCFA support meetings are casual and held in a warm, welcoming, and safe atmosphere. Support groups offer important information about coping with IBD, and provide a community of support for IBD patients and their loved ones. The meetings are offered free of charge.
People with IBD, their families, and their friends are encouraged to attend.

Austin Support Group
2nd Monday of each month from 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Seton NW Hospital, 3rd Floor Conference Room A
11113 Research Blvd., Route 183  
Austin, Texas

Bay Area Support Group
Meets the 4th Tuesday of each month from 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
State Farm Insurance Office, 12403 Scarsdale Blvd., Ste. D
(under the water tower, off of I-45 South, just past Beltway 8)
Houston, Texas

Houston Support Group
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 7:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
St. Martin's Episcopal Church
717 Sage Road (corner of Woodway & Sage)
Community Room ( off the outside hallway toward the east side of the campus)
Houston, Texas

San Antonio Support Group
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
University of Incarnate Word Campus
Retirement Center
San Antonio, Texas

Sugar Land Support Group
Meets the 4th Tuesday of each month from 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Kingsbury Financial Management Offices
4800 Sugar Grove Blvd., 2nd Floor Conference Room
(north of Hwy. 59, @  corner of Kirkwood
Sugar Land, Texas

SAY WHAT? 
We don't have a support group in your area?!  Would you like to help us?  Then give us a call. Maybe you could become a trained support group leader. 

Friends of CCFA

The Friends of CCFA was originally formed in 1999 with a core group of dedicated men and women working towards a future without Crohn's disease and colitis.  The purpose of "Friends" is to serve as advocates for patients and to coordinate and support all activities of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, whether they are fund-raising, educational, or patient service oriented.  Just of few of the volunteer opportunities are listed below, and there are many other ways that you can participate:

• Take Steps
• Winter Ball announcing the Channel 13 Women of Distinction
• Chapter Education Day
• Pediatric Patient Support
• Camp Oasis
• Team Challenge

We look forward to a year filled with fun, friends, and meaningful volunteer work. We hope that you will consider joining this dynamic group of enthusiastic supporters! 

Vanessa Sendukas
President, Friends of CCFA

Want to be a member of Friends of CCFA? Click HERE to download the Friends of CCFA membership form.

Questions? Contact Erin Fagan at (713) 572-2232 or efagan@ccfa.org


Volunteer Opportunities Abound at CCFA
There are many ways you can volunteer with CCFA - from working in the office to volunteering with one of our many special events and symposiums.  To learn more about our Volunteer Program, contact Erin Fagan by email at efagan@ccfa.org or at the Chapter Office at (713) 572-2232 or (800) 785-2232.

Support Groups
The CCFA Houston Gulf Coast/South Texas Chapter currently hosts 5 support groups throughout the Chapter area.  Please visit our "Support Groups" section for a location near you.

Further the Mission of CCFA
Become part of the solution to finding the cause and cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis by becoming a member of CCFA.  We would like to encourge you to join/renew your membership early so you will not miss out on any of our exciting activities.  Many lay and professional membership levels and opportunities available.  Please call the CCFA Chapter office (713) 572-2232 or (800) 785-2232 for a membership form.

Community Health Charities in Employee Giving Campaigns
The CCFA Houston Gulf Coast/South Texas Chapter proudly partners with the Community Health Charities in Employee Giving Campaigns. Look for our name and agency code in your company campaign. If you don't find us, ask your employer to add CCFA.

Houston Gulf Coast/South Texas Chapter
5120 Woodway, Suite 8008
Houston, Texas 77056
P: (713) 572-2232 or (800) 785-2232
F: (713) 572-2433
Email: infohouston@ccfa.org

Charlie Weiss, Executive Director
cweiss@ccfa.org 

Erin L. Fagan, Development Manager
efagan@ccfa.org

Chantel L. Henderson, Gulf Coast Education and Support Manager
chenderson@ccfa.org 

Desaree Vega Stevens, Team Challenge Endurance Manager
dvega@ccfa.org

2008-2009 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Honorable George H.W. Bush, Honorary President
Lisa Richardson, President
Karen Arnold
Jan Carson, Communications Chair
Meg Stow Crowley
Mark Fantacone
Mark Flagg
Sharon Brand Gardner
Diane Gendel
Mark Gilger, M.D., CMAC Chairman
Howard Hamat, M.D., CMAC Co-Chairman
Robert Huston, Take Steps Corporate Co-Chair
Emily Kaufman
Matt Kovich, Education Chair
Muffy McLanahan, Development Chair
Ed McMahon, Past President
Sharon Michael Owens
Jan Rask, Finance Chair and Take Steps Corporate Chair
Vanessa Sendukas, President- Friends of CCFA
Trey Smith
James Versalovic, M.D., Research Chair
Phyllis Williams, Development Co-Chair
Garrett Word
Shane Young

2008-2009 CHAPTER MEDICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Mark Gilger, CMAC Chairman
Howard Hamat, CMAC Co-Chairman
Francisco Garcia-Torres, CMAC Chairman Emeritus
Thomas Arnold, CMAC Founding Physician
Philip Bentlif, CMAC Founding Physician
George D. Ferry, CMAC Founding Physician
John Kelsey, CMAC Founding Physician
George E. Whalen, CMAC Founding Physician
Bincy P. Abraham, M.D.
Janet Davis, RN, ET
Drew DuPont, M.D.
Keith Fiman, M.D.
Greg Galler, M.D.
Joseph Holland, Jr., M.D.
Kristi King, RD, LD
Aparna Kulkarni, M.D.
Pradeep Kumar, M.D.
Gabrielle New-Seekely, MEd, LPC, BCPC, ACC
William Redwine, M.D.
Barbara Reid, M.D.
Joseph Sellin, M.D.
Harold Shelby, M.D.
John Strohlein, M.D.
Carlo Taboada, M.D.
David Thompson, M.D.
James Versalovic, M.D.
Barry Winston, M.D.
Karen L. Woods, M.D.