Wednesday, July 30, 2014

THE PACKAGE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: IBD CHANGES MY COURSE, YET AGAIN

Not sure where to begin. I am exalted, broken-hearted, exhausted, defeated and empowered, all at the same time. This summer has been full of surprises- most of them unwelcome. Soon after my own discharge from the hospital, my grandfather ended up admitted for palliative cancer care; a surprise to those of us close to him as he had been running around baking bread for the entire town just a short time before. I missed three weddings, fairly unexpectedly, and am now feeling very down in the dumps as I was supposed to be boarding a plane to Ireland tomorrow.

Somewhere in the midst of this nightmare, a neat little package arrived on my front door stoop. It was a package that had been in the back of my mind all summer, but had been overshadowed by my own health and that of my very beloved grandfather. My husband tentatively presented this piece of mail to me just two weeks ago. It had been sent overnight in a Priority Mail envelope. The sender's address read: Columbia University. My heart skipped a beat.

Of the months upon months I have spent in hospitals, between my own issues, my father's, my grandfather's, and other loved ones, I have never been able to help but wish I could be on the other side of the hospital bed. It's been years that I have sat in that bed, or in that chair next to the bed, just dreaming. But, folks, my wish has at last been granted. I am so very pleased to announce that I was admitted to Columbia University's Postbac Premed program! 

The news that I will be soon embarking on the track to doctor-hood has been met with very mixed reviews, mostly in response to the condition of my own health. But what these naysayers DON'T know about IBD, is that it prepares us for anything life throws our way. Sleepless nights? GOT IT! The sight of internal organs? SEEN IT! Tubes down throats and life-threatening complications requiring emergency surgery? BEEN THERE, DONE THAT! Oh- and have I mentioned how we, as IBD warriors, have more passion, more drive and more emotional investment when it comes to helping those in need? 

Many comments have, similarly, referred to the fact that it will be 6-7 years before I can call myself doctor and an additional 3-5 before my residency is complete. Well, another thing IBD has taught me is that life is precious, unpredictable and, ever most importantly, we live it only once. No one knows if they will have the good fortune to be on this earth even tomorrow- what's the point of concerning ourselves with how old we are when we attain major life goals?  

There are so many reasons to NOT embark on this arduous journey: my health, my daughter, my husband, the long hours, the hard work, the financial investment or the unavoidable stress involved in becoming a doctor. But I have so many more reasons to get ready, set and go. And so many of those reasons are the same as those just cited. My history of poor health does not hold the key to my future, my daughter will benefit greatly from a loving mother who is also a positive female role model, and I've never met a challenge without excitement and anticipation about the next curve ball and how I'm going to hit it out of the park.

Columbia, I'll see you on September the 2nd. You and I are going to show IBD what's up.

Until then, hoping positive vibes and good spirits on my current "side of the bed" can help ease the pain of my ailing grandfather. Pop- you've given me a hell of another good reason to fight my way to M.D. It's another road that won't be easily traveled, but that has never meant it isn't worth taking. You taught me that. And I'll think of you every step of the way. 

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Team Challenge- BIG news!!!!

So I have some exciting news for a change! Well, it's both disappointing and exciting.

As many of you know, I was in the midst of training for a Team Challenge half marathon in Dublin, Ireland that is taking place on August 4th when I was blindsided with five small bowel obstructions and, shortly thereafter, found myself in the hospital recovering from yet another laparotomy. Unfortunately, this means that I will be in no shape to run Dublin in August and, sadly, I will have to forego this trip altogether. Those of you with IBD know that the absolute worst part of this disease is missing out on everything, and this trip meant a lot to me. IBD life is full of surprises, and they are rarely welcomed. BUT!....

Shortly after canceling this trip I was bestowed a great honor by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. I have been named the Honored Hero for the Team Challenge Tri State Triathlon team, which will race in Clearwater, FL on November 9th of this year. I am so humbled by this opportunity to (hopefully) inspire this team to swim, bike and run harder and faster towards a cure for IBD. Interested in joining us? Find all the info here. Participating in Clearwater last year was one of the greatest experiences of my life and despite having IBD I think I've had a pretty awesome life, so that's saying a lot! I promise it's an experience that will stick with you- in a very good way.

Can't participate? Consider making a donation here. This still reflects my Dublin fundraising efforts- but all of these funds go to the same great place.

I am so very excited about being able to participate in Clearwater- albeit in a different capacity from last year, but hopefully an equally powerful one. Hubbie, Billy, will be running the race in my honor, along with my bestie, Erin M., and hopefully we can even find a few more of you out there to join Katie's Crew!

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Sunday, June 29, 2014

WHAT TO DO WHEN A LOVED ONE IS HOSPITALIZED

Yeah, yeah, I'm still here. Bad news is I'm starting to become lucid, too. It's always best when you're relatively unaware (or unconcerned) with what is going on due to high amounts of painkillers and other kinds of mind-altering drugs.

So, out of boredom I am going to write a post that I've been meaning to write for three years now. I have not written it because I didn't want to come across as rant-y or unappreciative or didactic, or any other kind of adjective that is unlikeable to the masses. But the thing is that I have a lot of experience in this area and a lot of people (fortunately) don't. My dad has undergone 7 major surgeries, spending months in the hospital and years in acute care, so I have vast experience as an observer, family member and advocate. I have had UC for 11 years and have undergone 5 major surgeries, spending a total of 3-4 months hospitalized, so I also have an intimate insight as a patient. What I want to write about is this:

What do you do when a family member or friend is sick, hospitalized or recovering from surgery?

Again, I am only writing this because I see the blank look of "I very much want to help, but have no idea what to do" on so many people's faces. And rightly so. If they and their families have been blessed with good health, why would they know what to do? I just think it's downright helpful and from a patient's perspective (I have many IBD friends!), so many of us say the same things over and over about what we expect and/or need from all you healthy people out there. So, here are the "Top Ten" things you need to know:

1. Reach out!!!!! Don't be afraid of saying the wrong thing. Send a text, call, leave a voicemail, send an email, leave a Facebook post or message. It doesn't matter your method, it's just very important that you do. It makes a patient feel like a million bucks when you do it, and if you're close to said patient, it definitely does NOT go unnoticed if you don't.

2. Don't expect a response!!! We are often overwhelmed by taking care of our substantial needs for rest and by the amount of people reaching out. We LOVE to listen to the VMs, read the texts and emails, but we'd be spending all of our days responding and picking up the phone rather than recovering and resting if we responded to everything. Trust me- your notes get read and they are SO appreciated.

3. Don't ask, "what do you need?" - I will never, ever ask anyone for anything, and a lot of patients are like this out of pride, embarrassment, or just a genuine sense of not wanting to bother anyone. JUST DO IT! Which takes me to my next point…

4. Drop off a meal, show up and babysit, or if you have no time to cook, send over a gift certificate for a pizza. It's so hard on a family trying to not only take care of another family member, but to also juggle all the essential tasks that "down and out" family member is not capable of doing. Trust me, just show up with something helpful to offer. It shouldn't cost much or take much time, but it goes a lot further than an expensive gift and is much more appreciated!

5. Don't forget about a patient's family. Sure, surgeries and chronic illness are hard on a patient, but they are even harder on a family. Call the patient's family and see how you can help, or as stated in #4, just show up at THEIR house and do their dishes or let them escape to the grocery store for an hour. Give them just a little time to feel human.

6. Always call before a hospital visit - this is especially true in those days when you are freshly post-op. I know that I am never up for visitors in those first few days. Your rest is too important and you are just feeling too downright out of it to interact with anyone- but that's just me. Others may definitely be up for a visit. Towards the end of my hospitalizations I am dying for visitors- but a 9pm visit is never exactly, well, welcomed by me no matter what the stage of recovery. All of you that have spent time in hospitals know what those nights are like!

7. If you can, stop by the hospital! Now, the hospital is not always close and everyone is super busy in their lives and of course this is not always possible or, as mentioned, even necessarily wanted by the patient. But when your jailed up in your room for a week, nothing can cheer us up more than an hour-long distraction from a loving friend or family member. It goes a long way in showing how much you care.

8. Keep your anxiety to yourself! We're the ones in the hospital with tubes shoved up all of our orifices, we have enough anxiety in our lives, so leave yours at home please!

9. Ask questions!!! It shows that you care about what is going on and if you don't ask questions, at least don't make assumptions. When I've been NPO (no food or liquids) for 10 days and come home to have my first meal, I don't need anyone asking me, "should you really be eating that?" Be an informed family member and friend.

10. We like presents. Especially ones that matter. Flowers always cheer me up, don't get me wrong, but a small donation to Team Challenge (that probably costs less than that bouquet) means much more, or go for a run and donate the proceeds to CCFA in the patient's honor through Charity Miles, or cook a meal so the family has one less thing to worry about. These are all things that make a real difference. What we patients really need is a CURE and on a very practical level, we also need some food in our bellies. It shouldn't cost much, but think of a way that you can make a gift that matters.

As a last note, just don't do nothing. You don't need to do all 10 of these things, of course, but just a card in the mail or offering an hour of your time to help out goes a LONG way. We're all busy, of course, but just remember that these are the times when friends and family are needed most!

Thank you, thank you to all of you for the absolutely overwhelming outpouring of love and friendship over these last couple of months. This was in no way in response to a lack of receiving all of these very cherished gestures, but quite the opposite. I'm really writing for those blog readers out there that aren't as lucky as I!

Feeling very lucky and loved,

K

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Post-Op Update

Ok, maybe I'll offer a short update. First time I've been able to flip the laptop open!

Surgery went very well. It was three hours long. The laparoscopy quickly turned into a laparotomy (meaning it went from scope to a midline vertical incision down the center of the abdomen). I had part of my small bowel resected and all of the fluid from the "cyst" was removed. They also removed a lot of scar tissue from my small bowel and my abdominal cavity. All in all, very successful, but not exactly "best case scenario" of no bowel resection/laparoscopic shorter surgery.

Things have been moving along slowly post-operatively. I was running a high fever, but that has been gone for more than 24 hours now. I am still NPO (no food or liquids), but had my epidural catheter removed from my spine this morning. Foley catheter has been out for a couple of days, too! Up and walking, not without support yet, but up and walking a bit nonetheless. Pretty severe abdominal distention still going strong, accompanied by now more severe pain (now that my "epi" is gone).

I was begging for a Sunday discharge, but that's not looking too likely at this point. Let's hope for Monday! I never like to see three of the same day of the week in the hospital in a row, and seeing how I was hospitalized for a few days the week before my surgery, if I wake up here on Tuesday that would mark the third Tuesday in a row being in this very uncomfortable bed! Aiming to minimize this hospitalization to 7 days- wish me luck.

I'll update upon discharge or if anything of significance happens. Oh- and I got the BEST SURPRISE VISIT EVER FROM THE MOST SPECIAL PERSON EVER TODAY!



For now- go get your Team Challenge on and kick this disease's a$$ for me, will yah?

Monday, June 23, 2014

Abdominal Surgery #5 is Knocking: OR Bright and Early!

Ok, here we go! While I have been cursed with bad luck in many aspects of my life, I seem to always have the luck of the draw when it comes to O.R. times. Heading into NYPH at the crack of dawn tomorrow and scheduled to be wheeled into the O.R. at 7:30am. Already in the thick of my pre-op fast and already longing for a cookie. Sadly, I must bid adieu to good ole' F&B for quite some time, but if all goes well, perhaps I can celebrate the weekend with some Gatorade and then bring in July with a bang by indulging in my first nibbles.

I will try to coerce some family member or friend to update my blog tomorrow and Wednesday, but I am sure they will all be distracted and my ability to make threats or pleas will be limited. Though I know they are big fans of my blog because, when updated, they tend to get slightly less bombarded with texts and phone calls to tell the same story over and over. I LOVE that so many of you reach out during these times, though, so just because they can sometimes get stressed by the repetition, it shouldn't stop you from reaching out if you'd like to! Billy and Pops will be with me tomorrow, and brother M will be at some point as well. They'll be answering my cell, too. Though I am not a "believer," if you will, please pray that I get hooked up with some super posh penthouse hospital suite post-op.

Ok. Deep breaths. I've got this....



Sunday, June 22, 2014

IBD AND SOCIAL ISOLATION: WHAT'S IN YOUR BAG OF TRICKS?

Dress for Mike & Kim's wedding 
Ho hum. Just over 24 hours pre-op and checking out the dress that I had ordered for my very dear friends' wedding that hubbie and I were supposed to attend last night. Hubbie finally pulled the duct tape out after 36 hours of hearing me obsessively rant, "we should have been there. We should have been there. We should have been there."

I think that, perhaps, the combination of being a stay-at-home mom with a limited social life and living with chronic illness makes missing events such as these even more piercingly regrettable. Not to mention the guilt of being a no-show.


For all my IBD friends, or my readers living with chronic disease: what coping strategies do you have in your pocket for dealing with repeated social isolation and unexpected disappointments? I feel like my bag of tricks is almost empty, and I could use a few more.


Some creamy gelato in my belly is about all I've got for now...

Friday, June 20, 2014

Mystery Surgery #5 - Strictureplasty or Bowel Resection? #IBD problems

Hello IBDers!

Just a quick post. Was discharged yesterday after yet another small bowel obstruction (SBO). It's getting old, this whole IBD game. I am finally headed in for abdominal surgery #5 on Tuesday morning and I've never been so anxious. So many medical disagreements and so many unanswered questions. My consent form looked like this:

"Laparoscopy, possible laparotomy, possible bowel resection, possible strictureplasty, possible blood transfusion and removal of peritoneal inclusion cyst"

Upon asking how long my surgery would be, I was told, "It's impossible to say." Upon asking how long my hospitalization would be, the response was, "At least five days, but by now you know that is also impossible to predict." I was told the likelihood of laparoscopic success was low, but at least they would "fix up my scars, make them look nice." I've been told by many other doctors that removal of more bowel will result in "big problems for me." How helpful! Just pass along another Xanax, thank you very much!

Many of you know that indescribable feeling of laying on the crucifix-form table with the anesthesiologist leaning over you: the moment of no return. When I "go under" on Tuesday, I will have no idea how much of me will be left upon waking up, how my life will be affected, or what the road to recovery will look like. All I know is recovering from a surgery like this SUCKS. I hate nothing more than NG tubes, than being NPO for five, six, even fourteen days. Than being away from my little one. And that's just a small sampling of all that I loathe about my upcoming experience. But at least I have the man that invented strictureplasty operating on me. And at least I have perspective.

You'll be hearing from me during this journey, for sure. For now, let's all keep our head above water, and check out my view as a Mama dealing with this BS over at Dear Evangeline!




Saturday, May 24, 2014

PICs - AND NOT THE KIND CHRONIES ARE USED TO

So, I've been pretty negligent about writing here or over at Dear Evangeline as of late, mostly because I've been sick. But, like all the other times I've been diagnosed with something strange and snarly, I'm coming here to reach out to all of you IBD gals and girls to hopefully connect with someone else out there that is going through similar crap (why is it so difficult to avoid puns when talking about IBD?).

So three hospitalizations so far for 2014, but thankfully the last one yielded a definitive diagnosis: Peritoneal Inclusion Cyst. Here's the issue: they are exceptionally rare and even in the vast metropolitan area of our nation's greatest city I am having trouble finding a surgeon/doctor that has experience with PIC. In fact, my surgeons and doctors have spent the past two weeks passing the problem along from one to the other and then back again. GI thinks its in colorectal and GYN court, but neither GYN nor colorectal surgeon want to take it on and keep passing me along like a hot potato. GI and radiologist think this enormous tumor/cyst (measuring 12 x 11 cm. and containing 500cc's of fluid) is causing my bowel blockages and rectal bleeding as it is causing major displacement and distortion of my J-Pouch, while pushing against the site of anastamosis and seemingly causing loops of small bowel to twist. Colorectal and GYN don't agree and believe I have additional adhesions higher up in the bowel causing these recurrent blockages and have diagnosed me with "chronic small bowel blockage." All agree something needs to be done about the PIC, though, but no one wants to take care of it.

So, IBD brethren, I come to you for help. I am on my way to Interventional Radiology to see if it can be drained percutaneously (though I have been told there is a low probability of this being effective as I have many adhesions in the way). Next step is another major laparotomy. Problem is, no surgeon wants to touch me. The cyst is occupying my right abdominal cavity, shifting my organs over to the left and is interfering with many different systems, making it easy for my GYN and colorectal surgeons to wash their hands of it. If IR doesn't work, I'll need a surgeon. Anyone have any NYC recommendations? My docs have been consulting with GYN oncologists, but they too want to bounce it back to colorectal. So who the hell will do this surgery? Anyone? Anyone? Of course crossing my fingers big time for a successful IR intervention.

In my brief research on PIC, I noticed that almost everyone out there that is so lucky to encounter one also has IBD, usually Crohn's. So- any of you Crohnies out there know anything about PIC?
It seems as though only 228 cases have been reported in the past 19 years, but hoping one of my readers is one of them.

And lightening strikes again…..


Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Team Challenge Rides at SWERVE Fitness for CCFA


For those of you in the NYC area- Team Challenge is coming to SWERVE Fitness on June 8th! 

Come ride at NYC's hottest new spin studio, SWERVE, at 1pm on Sunday, June 8th! 100% of the proceeds from the class will be donated to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation through Katie Pearce's Fundraising Campaign. What YOU need to know:

*$35/person (100% tax deductible donation to CCFA)

*Sign up by making a $35 donation here. If you would like to donate more than $35, please email Katie to let her know that part of your donation is to reserve a spin bike.

*50/50 raffle to be drawn with super special prizes awarded to the winning team! SOUTHDOWN COFFEE will also be selling their COLD BREW coffee post-class with 100% of sales going to CCFA!

Gather your friends and sign up to compete on the RED, BLUE or GREEN team and get your SWERVE stats after class (and during!). Visit SWERVE's website to learn more about their innovative approach to spinning!

ALL welcome. Hope to spin with you on June 8th! Together, we can ride to a cure.

Saturday, May 17, 2014

THE CANCER OF IBD


January 2011: It's 9am and I finally feel well enough to make my way to the kitchen. I have spent the past three hours in excruciating pain while also losing significant amounts of blood. The longest I was able to avoid la toilette all night was one hour and Prednisone had my mind racing for the time in between. I slept an hour or two. Hell, better than last night at least.

I look in the fridge and find myself frightened of everything I see.

"Do I eat the strawberries for their anti-inflammatory effects?

"No, they could cause a mechanical blockage."

"How about an egg with Spinach to help with my iron deficiency?"

"No, the spinach will have me in the bathroom every 20 minutes instead of every 40."

Today: I feel hurt that friends and family think I bring this on myself by what I eat. If they only knew how much excruciating thought went into everything I put in my mouth. If they only knew the cost of my organic grocery bills, probiotic bills, aloe vera pill bills. If they only knew that diet has oh so little effect on this genetic assault of my mind, body and soul. I know this because I haven't eaten in three weeks. I know this because I've tried every so-called "ulcerative colitis-friendly" diet under the sun. I know this because there is not possibly one more book I could read or one more diet I could try. This disease runs deep inside me. It's at my core. In my DNA. There is no running from it. There is no eating it away.

There have been many medically necessitated fasts in my decade with ulcerative colitis. Not because food is the cause, but because my digestive system was simply too wrecked to put anything into it. This time around, I can't eat because of the pain. I can't eat because of the fear. I can't eat because my mind won't let me. Each time I put something into my body to nourish it, I am punished with mind-blowing pain and a fear that it won't make its way through. That I'll land myself another trip to the hospital to have yet another surgery to save my life from yet another small bowel blockage. This is no way to live. I don't wish this disease on the dead.

IBD is not IBS. IBD is not just diarrhea. IBD is not caused by the patient. IBD has deadly complications. This is why, after 9 years of silence, I decided to speak up in 2011. No one knows how horrifying IBD is because we patients rarely have the guts to face our disease and almost never have the extra strength to publicly discuss its brutish consequences on our daily life, our family and our conscience. IBD is a cancer without the sympathy. We IBD warriors have done chemo, we've been through the endless surgeries, the nausea, the pain, the fear, the vomiting, the complete disruption of life, of self, of sanity. But IBD and Team Challenge aren't ringing in the research funds like Susan G. Komen because the misconceptions about these diseases run deep. Sure, some Crohn's and UC patients with mild disease can achieve remission with diet and alternative therapies, just like some cancer patients. But IBD isn't caused by food anymore than cancer is. And I don't encounter too many cancer patients who are asked to undergo fecal transplant. IBD really is such a "shitty" disease.

But the point is, these stigmas run so deep. Perhaps the most painful part of this disease is not the physical suffering, but the uneducated and downright cruel assumption that we do this to ourselves. That my disease is caused by me. It's like having cancer, but having everyone look at you like there is such a simple fix. Like YOU are the cause. YOU are the problem.

But,  the simple fact remains that there are too many adults and children living in fear every day. Too many of us are unable to live because there is no cure. Until a cure is found, IBD patients will live with the consequences of these diseases from the moment of onset to the moment of our death, with often nonexistent periods of remission.

Of course we should be raising money and awareness for the diseases that have high chances of sending us to the grave. But shouldn't we also give thought to the diseases that have so many trapped in a living grave?

Donate today.







Thursday, May 1, 2014

RUNNING WITH A J-POUCH

Hello, fellow IBDers! I've started a "different" blog, which is why this one has been so neglected as of late, but today's post was on running with a j-pouch. If you'd like to check it out, click here.

On this topic, however, I'm wondering if any of you out there are runners and have a j-pouch? If you're willing to comment publicly on here, that's wonderful! If not, please reach out to me via email! I would love to be in touch with someone who is in the same running "shoes."

Hope to hear from some of you!

To health and happiness for all,

Katie



Friday, February 21, 2014

Win an I-Pad AND Cure Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis!!!!!!

Enter TODAY to win an Apple I-Pad Mini ($400 retail value). The raffle will be held on April 15th, tickets are $20/each and we are limiting the pool to 100 tickets.

Why should you buy a (or many) tickets? To help the 1.4 million Americans suffering from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. All the proceeds from raffle sales will go directly to the CCFA to fund vital research for better treatments options and, of course, a CURE for these debilitating diseases.

To buy a ticket, simply click on this LINK and make a donation (for every $20, this will buy you 1 raffle ticket). If you would like your donation to count as a raffle ticket, please EMAIL me to tell me so (otherwise it will be assumed that you are simply making a donation).

If you would like to buy your raffle tickets with cash or check, please email me for details.

Best of luck to you! And thank you for making a difference by participating!!!!

Friday, February 14, 2014

Dublin is calling, but so is Ayla!!!!!!!!

So "Katie's Crew" is at it again! And of course we are, there is still no cure. My father, Peter, and I have signed up to tackle the Dublin half marathon on August 4th and have also promised to bring $9,000 to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, to provide vital funds for research to bring better treatments and, ultimately, a CURE for the 1.5 million Americans suffering from these debilitating digestive diseases. If you've been a follower of my blog, there is no need to tell you that pediatric diagnoses are on the rise and more and more adults are diagnosed every day. Symptoms often have an acute onset. I, for one, went from being an extraordinarily healthy 17 year-old to abruptly spending the next decade + on terrifying medications, spending months hospitalized, undergoing major abdominal surgeries and being in overall very poor health. IBD does not discriminate. Sadly, chances are, either you or someone you love will need the assistance of CCFA at some point in your life.

So, who needs you NOW? Children like 2 year-old Ayla, who is able to survive only via a feeding tube. She has never tasted food and, until we find better treatments, she probably never will. It's 7 year-old Doobee. Diagnosed at the age of 4, Doobee has undergone treatment after treatment and is not even a candidate for colon surgery as the damage to her small intestine is too severe. Grassroots efforts, like ours, have been getting us closer and closer to a cure for years. It's people like you and me that fund these research efforts. Without us, patients like Ayla and Doobee (and even me), would not be able to survive. Now the goal is to let people like Ayla and Doobee LIVE. To taste food, to run around... to have a childhood and a long, fulfilling life.

This year we have a few twists to our fundraising campaign.We of course have our fundraising site, where donations can be made at any time (why not now?). But we are also offering a few other fun ways of getting in on the good:

1. On Sunday, May 18th, we will be hosting a tour bus that will take guests to three vineyards on the North Fork of Long Island (all-inclusive, with boxed lunch). Tickets are $150, with proceeds going directly to CCFA. If you would like to reserve a spot on our bus, please mail a check for $150, made out to "CCFA", to my home (email me for address information @ kboccard@gmail.com). You can also make a donation of $150 directly to our fundraising page, but PLEASE email me to reserve a spot on the bus.  A 50/50 cash raffle will also be held on the day of the wine tour.

2. We are also hosting a raffle for a brand new, 16GB Apple I-Pad mini. Raffle tickets are $20/each. The drawing will be held on Tuesday, April 15th (hopefully it will bring some joy to "Tax Day"). Again, a check can either be made to CCFA and mailed to me, or a donation can be made on our fundraising page, but again EMAIL ME so I know you would like raffle tickets for your donation.

Another fun Happy Hour on the Beach is in the works, and will be planned for sometime in June or July. Details forthcoming.

Here's to another successful year of Team Challenge! "Katie's Crew" has raised, to-date, almost $70,000 for CCFA-funded research (BIG shout-out to my major cohorts, Regina Orelli, Gabrielle Orelli, Mary Boccard, Peter Boccard, Chrissy Whiteman & Billy Pearce). We are so honored that YOU have chosen to be a part of our miracle march toward a cure.





 Meet Ayla. Two year-old Crohn's patient, making the best of it!