With the generous support of Americana Manhasset and Wheatley Plaza, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is hosting its first Gold Coast Take Steps Walk on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 9 a.m. This event provides walkers with the unique opportunity to walk from Americana Manhasset to Wheatley Plaza to bring hope to the 1.6 million Americans living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, two incurable, debilitating digestive diseases.
“We are extremely grateful to Americana Manhasset and Wheatley Plaza and to the surrounding communities for their generosity and support,” said Edda Ramsdell, executive director of CCFA’s Long Island chapter. “This walk wouldn’t be possible without their involvement. This wonderful event will enable us to expand our reach to patients, like high school student Tracy Naschek, who live in the area.”
Naschek, a Port Washington resident, had little time to adjust to her life as a patient when she was diagnosed at age 10. Replacing her favorite hobbies were trips to the hospital, some lasting days at a time, tests with long names and missing out on some of her favorite foods, including ice cream sandwiches and movie theater popcorn. Her understanding of “forever” changed, knowing she had an incurable disease that would require daily management and lifestyle changes. CCFA and its Take Steps program helped Naschek cope with her disease. Much more than just a walk, Take Steps is a vital support network for Naschek. “CCFA hosts annual conferences discussing latest advances in treatment, which is where I found my current doctor,” Naschek said. “It has also been a resource for my family through webcasts on nutrition and treatments.”
At the Oct. 4 walk, CCFA will honor Naschek as its 2015 Shining Star Honored Hero. Over the past five years, Naschek and her family and friends have raised nearly $16,000 to help find cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
“I’m excited to be representing CCFA at the first Gold Coast Take Steps Walk,” said Naschek. “I hope my commitment to this organization will inspire others who suffer from IBD to join the CCFA community and do their part in raising money and spreading awareness of these diseases.”
Naschek used every tool available to her to fundraise. “I’ve called, texted, emailed and reached out to all my friends and family to get involved in the walk and contribute to the cause,” she said. Naschek also hosted a Zumba fundraiser to raise money in an exciting and active way.
Take Steps is a family-friendly community walk dedicated to raising awareness and mission-critical funds for cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Take Steps has raised over $60 million across the country for research and patient support services and is committed to transforming the lives of those affected by these diseases and leading them to a brighter future through scientific research.
The day will start with a group warm-up hosted by Two Worlds Dance and Fitness located in Wheatley Plaza. “The Gold Coast Take Steps Walk is a great way for us to bring our fitness staff and members together outside the gym in support of this organization and cause,” said Dany Holstein, owner of Two Worlds. “We understand the importance of good health and empathize with the people who suffer from [inflammatory bowel disease] IBD. Our entire fitness team will be participating and we look forward to cheering on the walkers from start to finish.”
IBD is a group of inflammatory conditions including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and affects one 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.
Take Steps is the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s national walk program. These walks raise funds for critical research and increase awareness of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, painful and unpredictable digestive diseases.
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is the largest voluntary nonprofit health organization dedicated to finding cures for 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.
Gold Coast Community Walk coordinator and Assistant National Walk Manager Suzanne Beck said, “We look forward to seeing you at the walk with the sun shining down on us and feeling a great sense of accomplishment and camaraderie!”
For more information, visit www.ccfa.org. To donate or join, click here.
