The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (CCFA) will be holding their annual Take Steps Walk for Crohn’s & Colitis on September 26th at Northside Park in Ocean City, MD, presented by Johns Hopkins Hospital. This will mark the second year Northside Park will host the event. Dr. Jerrold Canakis, of Atlantic General Hospital, will be the event’s honoree this year, recognizing his years of service and commitment to patients of IBD on the Eastern Shore. Dr. Canakis received his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and has been in practice for 27 years. He is one of 3 doctors at Atlantic General Hospital who specialize in Gastroenterology. His resides in Berlin with his wife, Carla.
Now in its eighth year, Take Steps is gearing up for their 2015 walk season with over 145 Take Steps events scheduled across the country. Take Steps walks are family friendly festivals with activities for everyone including games, music, and great food. “We’re here to provide hope and support for the 1.6 million Americans affected by Crohn’s and colitis,” said Rick Geswell, President & CEO of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. “We are grateful for everyone who helps raise awareness and crucial funds through programs like Take Steps and I assure you that all money raised is used wisely, with .82 cents of every dollar spent going toward groundbreaking research, patient and professional education, and patient support programs,” said Geswell.
Individuals interested in joining Dr. Canakis and other local supporters who would like to join in our efforts should visit www.cctakesteps.org/easternshore to learn more or contact Misty Keens at mkeens@ccfa.org or 443-276-0861.
About Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis:
Known collectively as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis affects 1 in 200 people. They are painful, medically incurable diseases that attack the digestive system. Crohn’s disease may attack anywhere along the digestive tract, while ulcerative colitis inflames only the large intestine (colon). Symptoms may include abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever and weight loss. Many patients require numerous hospitalizations and surgery. Most people develop the diseases between the ages of 15 and 35; however the incidence is increasing in children.
About the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America:
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is the largest voluntary non-profit health organization dedicated to finding cures for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). CCFA’s mission is to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults who suffer from these diseases. The Foundation works to fulfill its mission by funding research, providing educational resources for patients and their families, medical professionals, and the public, and furnishing supportive services for those afflicted with IBD. For more information, visit www.ccfa.org or call 888-694-8872. Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ccfafb and www.facebook.com/ccfatakesteps, or follow CCFA and Take Steps on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ccfa and www.twitter.com/takesteps.
