Minnesotan Laurel Schwartz named as 2009 Comeback Kids Recipient for the Central Region

At the age of 8, Laurel Schwartz was diagnosed with a rare form of Crohn's disease involving lung complications. While she takes several medications to manage her disease, she still experiences the occasional flare-up, yet handles her condition with great composure. She is a vibrant, enthusiastic teenager who has turned her illness into a positive part of her life – becoming a dedicated champion for others with intestinal diseases.

Over the past six years, Laurel has devoted herself to awareness and fundraising projects. She has served as a Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (CCFA) Youth Ambassador, speaking at educational conferences and fundraisers, and is active on the political front, lobbying to pass inflammatory bowel disease bills at the federal and state levels. Laurel also has participated in a public service announcement for colon cancer testing and created YouTube™ videos to share her story. Laurel even started her own organization, Project CURE (Communication, Understanding, Respect and Education) and sells homemade bracelets to raise money ($6,500 to date!) for our local CCFA Camp Oasis.

In addition to her advocacy work, Laurel is an honor roll student, first violinist in her school orchestra, yearbook editor, concert choir singer and school play/local community theater performer.

Laurel, 16, of St. Paul, MN, hopes to become a professional actress or child life specialist. "Every individual has to find their own way to cope with their disease, whether it is fundraising, volunteering or reaching out to peers," says Laurel. "I want to continue to make a difference and be a voice for other young people with intestinal diseases."

Comeback Kids is a trademark of ConvaTec Inc.

	March 13, 2010 **SAVE THE DATE** PATIENT EDUCATION CONFERENCE MARCH 13, 2010
	August 2, 2010 - August 7, 2010 CAMP OASIS      August 2 - 7, 2010    ~A co-ed residential camp for kids with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis~   Our 2010 session will be held at One Heartland in Willow River, Minnesota.   Applications will be available in January 2010 for campers (ages 7-15), Leaders in Training (ages 16-17), and volunteers (age 18+).   Click here to learn more about this exciting program, or contact Ruby Lanoux, Development Coordinator, at rlanoux@ccfa.org or 651-917-2424.

Please note: All support group listings are subject to change. Please call the main chapter number 651.917.2424 or tollfree at 888.422.3266 to confirm the meeting date, time, and place. 

Minnesota- Seven County Metro Area:

Edina/St. Louis Park
Time: 6:30 p.m.   

Date: Second Sunday of every month
Place:Fairview Southdale Hospital, Edina, Tio Spa Room                                                                                                         

Contact: For further information please contact  Heidi  Presteen  at  cckickers@gmail.com.                                                                                                                                             

Hastings
Time:   7:00 p.m.
Date:   First Tuesday of every month
Place:  Regina Hospital, Hastings                                                                                                    Contact: For more information, please contact Andy at (651) 437-5247.

Golden Valley
Meetings are temporarily suspended. Contact: For more information, call Deb at (952) 512-0362 or Maggie Brown at (651_ 917-2437, or mabrown@ccfa.org.

New Connections
Meetings temporarily suspended.  However, anyone
who needs information regarding ileoanal reservoirs,
please call Becky at 651-490-7937.

St. Paul
Meetings temporarily suspended.

Greater Minnesota:

Brainerd -- Meetings temporarily suspended
Time:   7:00 p.m.
Date:   First Tuesday of every month
Place:  St. Joseph Hospital, Brainerd

Duluth
Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Date: 3rd Monday of every other month, January, March, May, September, November

Place: St. Mary's Hospital, Ontario Room

Contact: Renee McAdamis at rjmac4321@yahoo.com.

Rochester
Time:   7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Date:   First Monday of every month
Place:  Methodist Hospital,
           Dining Room #3                                                                                                                  Contact: For more information, contact Guy Havelick at havelick@gmail.com.

St. Cloud
Time:    5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Date:    Second Monday of every month
           (September through May)
Place:  St. Cloud Hospital, 
           Willow Room                                                                                                                      Contact: For more information, please contact Michelle Braun at mbraun3@charter.net or (320) 271-0005 for more information.

Mankato
Time:   6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Date:   First Tuesday of the month (September thru May)                                                                                                                                                Place:  Holy Rosary Parish Center
           1st Floor Conference Room
           546 Grant Ave, city of N. Mankato

Contact: For more information, please contact JoAnn at joann.ccfa@yahoo.com

Winona
Time: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.  
Date:  The last Tuesday of every month
Place:  Parkview Conference Room at Community Memorial Hospital                                              Contact: For more information, please contact Shirley Oberton at (507) 425-2259, or at soberton@hbci.com.

South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin:

Hudson, Wisconsin
Time:   7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Date:   Second Thursday of every month
Place:  Hudson Medical Center-
           Willow Room                                                                                                                     Contact: For more information, please contact John Mercer at (715) 246-6419.

Spooner, Wisconsin
Time:   6:00 p.m.
Date:   Second Tuesday of every month
Place:  Spooner Hospital
           819 Ash Street

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Time:   6:30 p.m.
Date:   First Thursday of every month
Place:  Avera McKennan Fitness Center Center
           3400 S. Southeastern Ave.
           Sioux Falls, SD 571003                                                                                                     Contact: For more information, please contact Franklin Pudas at mfpudas@sio.midco.net.

Yankton, South Dakota
Time:  6:45 p.m.
Date:   Third Tuesday of every month
Place: Avera Sacred Heart Campus Pavilion
          409 Summit
          Yankton, SD 57078                                                                                                             Contact Kathy Ryken at kathleenryken9@vyn.midco.net or Dave Brown at carrot188@knology.net for more information.

Fargo, North Dakota -- Temporarily suspended.
Time:   7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Date:   Second Monday of ever month, starting in December.
Place:   MeritCare South University in room SU                                                                             Contact: For more information, contact Chrissy Finn at chrissyfinn@hotmail.com.

Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter

1885 University Avenue West, Suite 355
St. Paul, MN 55104

Phone: (651) 917-2424
Fax: (651) 917-2425
888-Phone: 1-888-422-3266
E-mail: Minnesota@ccfa.org

• Danielle Leitner Baxter, Executive Director
• Ruby Lanoux, Development Coordinator
• Maggie Brown, Take Steps Manager
• Alexander Tsatsoulis, Team Challenge Manager