Programs
March 16 Ask the Experts Program in Independence REGISTER NOW
May, TBD Patient Educational Program in Canton
Please check back for links to online registraion
* Educational Programs are open to the public *
By the Numbers
- 1.4 million Americans are currently diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
- In Northeastern Ohio, it’s estimated that 20,000 people are diagnosed.
- Chances are, you know someone affected – a friend, customer, colleague, or family member. These chronic digestive diseases cause severe pain and hospitalizations.
- Beyond the physical pain endured, emotional complications such as depression often arise.
- These illnesses steal career opportunities, favorite activities, and important moments from everyday life.
Our Role in the Community
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (CCFA) is many things to many people. We are a trusted educator, a fervent supporter of cutting edge research, and a passionate advocate. Every day we help all kinds of people in Northeast Ohio get the health tools, support, and information that they need. Our approach is three-pronged:
1. Education
- For patients and families, learning about IBD is an important step toward taking charge of their illnesses.
- The local chapter office provides free educational programs for patients, caregivers & families and provide informational packets for patients to gastroenterologist practices throughout Northeast Ohio.
- For 2013, we will host educational programs for an anticipated total attendance of 275.
2. Support
- Our support groups offer a peer resource & answers to practical questions.
- Each year we send local pediatric patients on a week-long excursion to Camp Oasis, a co-ed camp in Fenton, MI. Scroll down for more info.
- The local chapter office works closely with volunteer Support Group Facilitators (Cleveland East side & West side), with an additional currently in formation (Akron).
- Our local Advocacy Committee strives to improve the lives of local individuals living with IBD. Most recently, they developed a toolkit for parents & teachers.
3. Research
- Over the past 3 years alone, CCFA has directed $450,000 to support research taking place in our local community, which has strengthened Northeast Ohio’s position as one of the foremost research areas for IBD.
- Funded initiatives took place at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation & Case Western Reserve University.
- We are committed to finding cures wherever they are to be found - whether here or across the country. CCFA's National Science Advisory Committee funds the best of the best research.
- Learn more about current priorities & donate here
Interested in getting involved with your local chapter? Click here to complete the Volunteer Interest Form.
Week-long overnight camp exclusively for children entering grades 2 through 11 with IBD.
Youth entering 12th grade are eligible to be Leaders in Training (LIT) and volunteers who are 19 or older
and high school graduates are welcome. This year 15 Northeast Ohio children attended Camp in Fenton Michigan!
As one former camper explains:
"Camp Oasis means friends, fun, forgetting about everything that normally sets you apart from everyone else, learning more about your disease, feeling confident and knowing that everyone here knows what you are going through."
