Why We are Raising Funds for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America

In 2008 and 2009, we chose a local charity, The Cherokee Children's Advocacy Council.

This year, we have chosen a national charity which is near and dear to our heart.

Crohn's and Colitis has affected our chapter, as well as other chapters of the Women's Council of Realtors.

Here's why we wish to raise funds for the CCFA:

• First and foremost, there is currently NO CURE for these diseases; which is why every cent raised makes a difference.
• Our Current Chapter President's son suffers from Crohn's disease
• Last year's Marketing Chairperson has suffered from Crohn's disease for almost 20 years, and in 2008, she had an Ileostomy ( at the age of 37), and now has an Ostomy Bag that she will live with for the rest of her life.
• The immediate past President, for the Cobb Chapter of the WCR, suffers from Ulcerative Colitis, and this past year has been a very challenging year for her.

Last year's Marketing Chairperson, listed above, has 8 neighbors on her street that either have Crohn's or Colitis, or have been closely affected by these diseases. ( Two of those were deaths that occurred from complications from Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis).  You may be saying "WOW!" The real wow was that this information is only known because she started talking about Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis to her neighbors, THEN they shared their stories and their personal bouts with it.

Crohn's or Colitis is not something everyone wants to talk about - it is after all, a disease that affects the digestive tract; and let's face it, not many people want to go around talking about THAT. That is also part of the issue. We need to get people to talk about it.

Our Treasurer, Kathy Delbridge, has been an advocate and volunteer for the Georgia Chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America for nearly ten years. She finds the growing number of children, who are being diagnosed with Crohn's or Colitis, to be alarming! This disease is hard enough and embarrassing enough for adults to deal with, let alone a young child to have to go through it. The treatments for these diseases are extremely hard on the body and the side effects of the drugs can be debilitating.

Please, help us raise the necessary funds, (since there is currently NO GOVERNMENT FUNDING) and awareness. Who knows, YOU may be the lucky winner of a TRIP TO ITALY!

Share this information with your friends and family. You never know; you might also have neighbors or loved ones being affected by these diseases.

We will be at the Atlanta Take Steps Walk, which usually takes place in May.  So please, if you live near the Atlanta area, come join us for the walk. If you live in another state, and are interested in finding a walk near you, please visit the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America's website at www.ccfa.org.

Lastly, don't forget to support the IBD Bill.

Now that you are ready to purchase your tickets, click here to be re-directed to the Win A Trip To Italy Page.