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New England Chapter

Address:
280 Hillside Ave., Ste. 9 
Needham, MA 02494

Phone, Fax, E-mail:
Phone: (800) 314-3459 or (781) 449-0324
Fax: (781) 449-0325
Email: ne@ccfa.org

 


SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS

**Read Local & National IBD News**

Events


Upcoming IBD Kids' Club events:

We are well into 2008, and that means more IBD Kids' Club activities! With many great events planned, this is shaping up to be our best year ever. Any child with IBD ages 8 to 18 can be a member, and we are always on the lookout for new activity ideas. Call Stacey at: 781-449-0324 ext. 13 today to be a part of the IBD Kids' Club!

Check back here for future event announcements.


The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation invites you to take the Team Challenge on July 20, 2008 at the Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon.  We'll help you train to run or walk the race as you raise funds to find a cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

For more information, contact Marisa Sarringhaus at 781-449-0324x12 or msarringhaus@ccfa.org 

Visit the Team Challenge website at http://www.ccteamchallenge.org


Quick Links

Advocacy Update

Donate your car

Give a Gift of Stock

Become a member today!

Help us by sending us your old Shaws receipts!

CCFA's Tribute Program

Volunteer for CCFA

Workplace Giving



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CALENDAR/EVENTS
April 5, 2008 - June 28, 2008

2008 TAKE STEPS for Crohn's & Colitis

Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis logo

Kick-Off Events Dates and Locations:

Walk Dates and Locations:

For more information, and to register for a Take Steps Walk near you, please visit http://www.cctakesteps.org/.  For local site information, please contact Development Manager Elizabeth Aggott (eaggott@ccfa.org).

May 14, 2008

Physician and Healthcare Professional
Dinner Lecture

"Current Concepts of IBD Pathogenesis: A Blueprint for Future Treatment"

Research Photo

Please join us for our annual physician and healthcare professional educational dinner program.

Speaker: Dan Podolsky, M.D.; Chief, Gastroenterology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital

Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Location: The Hampshire House, 84 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108-3421

Registration Fees: $25 non-CCFA healthcare professional members; fellows and CCFA healthcare professional members are free of charge.

Contact: Stacey Snyder, Education and Support Manager at 781-449-0324 ext. 13 or via email at ssnyder@ccfa.org for further program information.

Please note: Dinner will be served at this program.  Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits will be available for all physician attendees.

Online registration is now available!

This program was made possible through unrestricted educational grants from the following companies:

Premium Level Supporters:
Abbott Laboratories
Centocor, Inc.
Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Shire Pharmaceuticals

Gold Level Supporter:
UCB Group

Silver Level Supporter:
Millennium Pharmaceuticals

May 19, 2008

Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis
in Boston
Kick-Off Event at Jillian's!

Please join us on Monday, May 19, 2008
as we kick-off the Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis
walk campaign in Massachusetts at Jillian's Boston!

Gather your friends, family and teammates for this fun event
and help us to kick-off the final weeks
of our fundraising for the walk with
food, fun & friends at Jillian's Boston.

Monday, May 19, 2008
6 - 8 PM
Jillian's Boston
145 Ipswitch Street
Boston, MA 02215
(driving directions)

Admission for this event is free,
however we are asking that all attendees register
for the June 14 Take Steps walk
in Boston, MA at the Boston Common.

For more information and to register,
please call or email Elizabeth Aggott,
CCFA Development Manager,
at 800.314-3459 Ext. 10 or eaggott@ccfa.org.

** Please note that registration for this event is mandatory
and tickets to attend are given out
on a first-come, first-serve basis. **

May 21, 2008

Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis
in Vermont
Kick-Off Event at Yankee Lanes!

Please join us on Wednesday, May 21, 2008
as we kick-off the Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis
walk campaign in Vermont at Yankee Lanes!

Gather your friends, family and teammates for this fun event
and help us to kick-off the final weeks
of our fundraising for the walk with
food, fun & friends at Yankee Lanes in Colchester, VT.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008
6 - 8:30 PM
Yankee Lanes
215 Lower Mountain View Drive
Colchester, VT 05446
(driving directions)

Admission for this event is free,
however we are asking that all attendees register
for the June 21 Take Steps walk
in Colchester, VT at St. Michael's College.

For more information and to register,
please call or email Elizabeth Aggott,
CCFA Development Manager,
at 800.314.3459 Ext. 10 or eaggott@ccfa.org.

** Please note that registration for this event is mandatory
and tickets to attend are given out
on a first-come, first-serve basis. **

June 7, 2008

Dartmouth-Hitchcock
Patient & Family IBD Symposium

This all-day educational program features lectures
on Inflammatory Bowel Disease geared toward
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients and their families.

Date: Saturday, June 7, 2008

Location: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756-1000

Lecture topics include: Dealing with Insurance Coverage; Choosing the Right Medications for You; Looking Towards the Future; IBD Can't Stop Me! - A Patient's Perspective; and more.

Contact: Stacey Snyder, Education and Support Manager
at 781-449-0324 ext. 13 or email ssnyder@ccfa.org
for further program information.

Online registration is now available!

This program was made possible through unrestricted educational grants from the following companies:

Premium Level Supporters:
Abbott Laboratories
Centocor, Inc.
Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Shire Pharmaceuticals

Gold Level Supporter:
UCB Group

June 11, 2008

Physician and Healthcare Professional Dinner Lecture

"Women's Issues in Inflammatory Bowel Disease"

Research Photo

Please join us for our annual physician and healtchcare professional educational dinner program.

Speaker: Steven N. Fine, M.D.; Chief; Division of Gastroenterology; MetroWest Medical Center

Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

Location: Ken's Steakhouse, Framingham, MA 01701

Registration is free to healthcare professionals.

Please note: Dinner will be served at this program.  Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits will be available for all physician attendees.

Contact: Stacey Snyder, Education and Support Manager at 781-449-0324 ext. 13 or via email at ssnyder@ccfa.org for further program information.

Free Online Registration Now Available!

Premium Level Supporters:
Centocor, Inc.
Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Proctor & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Shire Pharmaceuticals

June 30, 2008

MGS Gritty's Invitational
to benefit CCFA

Monday, June 30, 2008

Sable Oaks Golf Club
505 Country Club Drive
South Portland, ME 04106
(map and directions)

July 20, 2008

Join the New England Chapter for Team Challenge! Train to run or walk the Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon on July 20, 2008 in beautiful northern California.  Money raised will fund research for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.


For more information, contact Marisa Sarringhaus at 781-449-0324 x12 or msarringhaus@ccfa.org.

Visit the Team Challenge Website.


August 19, 2008

CCFA Camp Oasis

CCFA Camp Oasis

Camp Oasis is a co-ed residential camp program designed to enrich the lives of children
with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis by providing a safe and supportive camp community.

Dates: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 through Sunday, August 24, 2008

Location: Camp Scatico, Elizaville, NY 12523 

Contact: Stacey Snyder, Education and Support Manager at 781-449-0324 ext. 13 or via email at ssnyder@ccfa.org for further program information.

You can complete a 2008 camper application online, or visit www.ccfa.org/camps to learn more about Camp Oasis.

To become a camp volunteer counselor or medical staff volunteer, please utilize our online Counselor Application or our online Medical Staff Application.

The New England session of Camp Oasis is sponsored by:

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SUPPORT GROUPS

NEW ENGLAND PATIENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS

POWER OF TWO

The Power of Two - connecting people facing challenges brought on by living with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Individuals will be matched with others in the New England area who have experienced similar medical and personal concerns for the purpose of one-on-one phone conversations or e-mail support. Whether you are seeking support or are willing to help others by sharing your own experiences, please contact Barbara Tabak, Program Coordinator at btabak@charter.net or call Stacey Snyder, New England Education Manager at (800) 314-3459 ext. 13.

This program is open to adults with IBD and those with children, family members or other loved ones with IBD. Families will also be matched by way of the parents.


**If you are a first-time support group attendee,
please contact Stacey at 781-449-0324 x13 before attending**

2008 Support Group Meeting Dates

Please note: We always are seeking individuals with a desire to become Support Group Leaders or co-leaders. If you, or someone you know, is interested in this opportunity, please feel free to call our office at 1-800-314-3459 or 781-449-0324, Ext. 13.
All support group listings are subject to change. Please call the chapter number above to confirm the meeting date, time, and place.

*All attendees of CCFA support groups are strongly encouraged to become members of the organization. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact Stacey Snyder at: 781-449-0324 ext. 13.

MASSACHUSETTS

Berkshire Location: Berkshire Medical Center, Dining Room A, 725 North Street, Pittsfield, MA
Leader: Faith Newmark
Phone: (413) 442-2276
Email: FNewmark@Berkshire.RR.com
Co-leader: Donna Volpi
Phone: (518) 733-0278
Email: donnavolpi@hotmail.com
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Dates: MONDAY EVENINGS

Boston
Children's Hospital Boston Parent & Family IBD Support Group
Location: Children's Hospital Boston, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA
Leader: Kate Donovan
Phone: 617-335-6416
Email: kate.donovan@childrens.harvard.edu
**Please check back for meeting updates**

Boston
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital Bartlett Hall Building, 3rd Floor, Burr 3, Boston, MA
Leader: Len Karasik
Phone: 781-820-4311
Email: lenkarasik@yahoo.com
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Dates: 3rd TUESDAY EVENING OF EACH MONTH

Boston
IAR (Ileoanal Reservoir) Support Group

Location: Boston Medical Center; Newton Pavilion; 88 East Newton St., Conference Room C/D
Leader: Linda Alexander, MSN, CWOCN
Phone: (617) 638-5752
Email: Linda.alexander@bmc.org
Co-leader: Murray Corliss, BSN, CWOCN
Phone: (617) 414-5541
Email: Murray.corliss@bmc.org
Co-leader: Siobhan Nevin, BSN, CWOCN
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Dates: SATURDAYS EVERY OTHER MONTH

Burlington
J-pouch support

Location: Lahey Clinic, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA
Leader: Kerry Casey, RN, CETN
Email: Kerry.M.Casey@lahey.org
Co-leader: Donna Loehner, RN, CETN
Phone: 978-750-4225
Email: Donna.l.Loehner@lahey.org
Dates: WEDNESDAY EVENINGS: June 11, 2008; September 10, 2008; December 10, 2008.

Burlington
Ostomy Association of Boston (OAB) Meetings

Location: 1st Floor Training Room, 31 Mall Road, Burlington, MA
(driving directions)
Leader: Kerry Casey, RN, CETN
Email: Kerry.M.Casey@lahey.org
Co-leader: Donna Loehner, RN, CETN
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Dates: WEDNESDAY EVENINGS EVERY OTHER MONTH: June 4, 2008; August 6, 2008; October 1, 2008; December 3, 2008.

Fall River
Location: Charlton Memorial Hospital, Physicians' Conference Room, 363 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA
Leader: Chris Ward, RN
Phone: (508) 679-6611
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Dates: MONDAY EVENINGS: April 14, 2008; June 2, 2008

Martha's Vineyard
Location: Contact leaders for location of each meeting - call for details.
Leader: Kathy Chaves
Phone: (508) 693-5164
Email: Chavesvnyd@aol.com
Co-leader: Jen Combra Phone: (508) 696-0045
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Dates: 3rd TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH

Methuen
Location: Holy Family Hospital, 1st Floor Boardroom, 70 East Street, Methuen, MA
Leader: Judith Tompson
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Dates: 3rd WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH

**For more information regarding this group, please contact Stacey Snyder, CCFA Education Manager at: 781-449-0324 ext. 13 or via email at: ssnyder@ccfa.org.**

Westfield
Location: Noble Hospital, Auditorium A, 115 W. Silver St., Westfield, MA
Leader: Joyce Viecelli
Phone: (413) 736-2422
Email: wviecelli@aol.com
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Dates: for meeting dates, contact Joyce at the above phone number

Worcester
Support Group for Parents of Children with IBD 
Location: Worcester Medical Center/St. Vincent's Hospital, 1st Floor Conference Room D (near the cafeteria, follow signs), 123 Summer St., Worcester, MA 
Leader: Rose Wuoti
Phone: Home: (978) 342-1117 or Cell: (978) 621-0671
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Dates: 3rd TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH: May 17, 2008 (special speaker: see below); June 17, 2008

Special guest speaker Jennifer C. Jaff, Esq. 
from Advocacy for Patients with Chronic Illness.
Saturday, May 17th from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Worcester Medical Center/St. Vincent's Hospital
123 Summer St., Worcester, MA
1st Floor, Conference Room B (near the cafeteria)
Topics will include:
Know your rights and Health Insurance
(how to handle disputes the right way).
Please RSVP to insure we have enough seating and handouts
Rose Wuoti
   (978) 342-1117 home, or
   (978) 343-6662, ext. 123 work.
This meeting replaces the regularly scheduled May meeting.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Lebanon:
*Please Note: meetings previously held in Lebanon, NH have been relocated to White River Junction, VT*

Manchester
Location: Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical, East Conference Room, 100 Hitchcock Way, Manchester, NH 03104
Leader: Jade Riberdy, RN
Phone: (603) 455-4667
Email: peacecreek_jade@yahoo.com
Time: 6:20 p.m. - 7:50 p.m.
Dates: MONDAY EVENINGS - call for dates.
Dates: April 14, 2008; May 12, 2008; July 7, 2008; August 11, 2008; September 15, 2008.

RHODE ISLAND

Providence
Support Group for Women with IBD
Location: Women and Infants' Hospital, 100 Dudley Street, Lower Level Classroom, Providence, RI  02903
Leader: Nancy Botelho, RNP
Phone: (401) 453-7953
Email: nbotelho@wihri.org
Co-leader: Sumona Saha, MD
Phone: (401) 453-7953
Email: ssaha@wihri.org
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Dates: 1st WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH BEGINNING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2008

Providence
Support Group for Parents of Children with IBD
Location: Hasbro Children's Hospital IBD Support Group, Collis Board Room, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903
Leader: Nancy Miller, RN
Phone: (401) 444-5805
Email: nmiller@lifespan.org
Co-leader: Russell Vigliotti
Phone: (401) 831-7656
Email: mjrv184@worldnet.att.net
Leaders: Kathy Scorpio, RN, Cindy Sokol, RN
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Dates: Please contact support leaders for group meeting dates

Providence
Pediatric Patient Support Group

Location: *Group meets simultaneously with Parent Support Group*
Collis Board Room, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903
(driving directions)
Leader: Stephanie Atlas, LICSW (Clinical Social Worker)
Phone: (401) 444-3247
Co-leader: Karen Swartz, CCLS (Child Life Specialist)
Phone: (401) 444-5613
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Dates: Please see above Parent Support Group Meeting Dates

VERMONT

White River Junction
Location: White River Junction VA, 215 North Main Street, Bldg 44, White River Junction, VT.
(driving directions)
Leader: Theresa Hoisington
Phone: 802-738-9533
Email: homeinvt@hotmail.com
Time: 3:30 p.m. - 4:40 p.m.
Dates: 2nd Tuesday each month, beginning June 10, 2008.

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MORE INFORMATION

New England Advocacy Efforts

A New England Chapter Advocacy Committee has been formed to support current local and national legislative efforts that will improve the lives of individuals living with inflammatory bowel disease. If you are interested in being a part of the New England Chapter Advocacy Committee, please contact Education and Support Manager, Stacey Snyder by phone at: 781-449-0324 ext. 13 or via email: ssnyder@ccfa.org.

Current pending Massachusetts Legislation: The Restroom Access Act (Ally's Law)

Ally Bain, a Crohn's patient and teenager, experienced something that changed her life. While at a national retail clothing chain store with her mother, she suddenly had to use the restroom. They quickly ran to a manager to ask to use the employees-only restroom. But Ally was denied access and had an accident in the store. As she and her mother drove away, they vowed to never let that happen to anyone again.

With her family, friends, and State Rep. Kathleen Ryg, Ally worked to get a new law passed in Illinois. The law requires businesses to make employee-only restrooms available to people with inflammatory bowel disease and other medical conditions such as pregnancy and incontinence. The law states: A retail establishment that has a toilet facility for its employees shall allow a customer to use that facility during normal business hours if the toilet facility is reasonably safe and all of the following conditions are met:

  1. The customer requesting the use of the employee toilet facility suffers from an eligible medical condition or utilizes an ostomy device. 
  2. Three or more employees of the retail establishment are working at the time the customer requests use of the employee toilet facility. 
  3. The retail establishment does not normally make a restroom available to the public. 
  4. The employee toilet facility is not located in an area where providing access would create an obvious health or safety risk to the customer or an obvious security risk to the retail establishment. 
  5. A public restroom is not immediately accessible to the customer.

There will be a hearing in front of the Joint Committee on Public Health on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at the State House in Boston to determine if Ally's Law will move onto the House to be voted on. Please contact Stacey to see what you can do to help.

For more information on CCFA's national advocacy efforts, please go to http://www.ccfa.org/advocacy/?LMI=9

Local & National IBD News!

* Falmouth Road Race success!
*
 Being open about Jewish diseases, by Shulamit Reinharz
Novel Intestinal E. Coli Linked to Crohn's Disease
Certolizumab pegol appears effective for Crohn's disease

Read more IBD news at www.ccfa.org!

Donate Your Car

Thinking of selling or even junking your old car, RV, or boat?  Instead, you can donate it to CCFA.  With free towing, it's easy and you'll receive a tax deduction for your donation.  Please call our office to learn more about this wonderful program!  Or, you can donate your car online!


Become a CCFA Member today!

As a member of CCFA, you will help us further the cause while receiving special membership benefits.  Membership benefits include subscription to the chapter newsletter and national magazine, discounts on CCFA books, and invitations to participate in chapter events and programs. 

Individual memberships are only $30.  Join or renew today!


Support the Cause by Sending Receipts!

If you shop at Shaws, you can send us your old, unneeded receipts to further the cause!  1% of eligible purchases from submitted receipts will be sent to CCFA. (Only original receipts will be accepted; receipts must be dated January 1, 2007 or later; receipts will not be returned.  Including the total on a note will be greatly appreciated.)  Currently there is no end-date, so we can accept receipts at your convenience!

If you know of any other local stores offering to donate a portion of their proceeds from collected receipts, please notify Laura Bogart and we will gladly participate in their program as well.


Honor A Loved One With A Tribute Donation

Making donations on behalf of others or in memory of others is a meaningful way of recognizing commitment to an important cause. 

You can make a tribute or memorial donation and have us send a tribute card (suggested minimum donation $25.00). 

Upon receipt of your donation, we will send a Tribute card to notify the specified individual of your kindness.  If no card type is specified, our CCFA Purple card will be sent.

Please note if you would like us to send you free request envelopes for future tributes.

Your tribute gift can be mailed to our office or charged to a credit card by calling 1-800-314-3459. 
Or you can make a tribute donation quickly and easily using our online form.

Examples of our Tribute cards:
CCFA Purple
Kids Tribute

For Tribute card purchases:
  Tribute cards may be purchased at $30 per packet of 6.
  Please specify type: Purple or Kids
  and blank, honor, or memorial (examples above).


VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We are always looking for volunteers to help with our walks.  Volunteers may register to help at our walks by clicking on the registration links underneath the walk information (above).  Or, for more information about our Take Steps walks, contact Take Steps Development Manager Elizabeth Aggott at eaggott@ccfa.org or 781-449-0324, extension 10.


Workplace Giving

The New England Chapter of CCFA is proud to participate in the workplace giving campaign of Community Health Charities.  At many workplaces throughout New England, employees can direct contributions to the charity of their choice.  Look for our name and agency code in your company campaign.  If you don't find us, please ask your employer to add CCFA.


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CONTACT INFO

New England Chapter

280 Hillside Avenue
Needham, MA 02494

Phone: (800) 314-3459 or (781) 449-0324
Fax: (781) 449-0325
Email: ne@ccfa.org

Ruth M. Aaron
Interim Executive Director
Extension 14
Email: raaron@ccfa.org

Elizabeth A. Aggott
Take Steps Development Manager
Extension 10
Email: eaggott@ccfa.org

Laura M. Bogart
Development Coordinator
Extension 18
Email: lbogart@ccfa.org

Michelle Mosher Cibotti
Development Manager
Extension 11
Email: mcibotti@ccfa.org

Marisa Sarringhaus
Team Challenge Development Manager
Extension 12
Email: msarringhaus@ccfa.org

Stacey Snyder
Education & Support Manager
Extension 13
Email: ssnyder@ccfa.org

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