The Fairfield/Westchester Chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America honored five local residents for their courage and perseverance living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis at the foundation’s annual Casino for the Cause event. The Gallery of Courage is a tradition that began in 2009 as a way to recognize individuals in our community who have shown tremendous courage living with these chronic conditions. This year there were five new honorees: Nicole Cronin (Armonk), Gary Jacobson (Chappaqua), Jesse Prager (Weston), Glenn Trieff (White Plains), and Elizabeth Wachstein (New York).
Casino for the cause has grown to become one of the most popular fundraising events in Fairfield and Westchester Counties. On March 17 at Trump National Golf Club, the Fairfield/Westchester Chapter of CCFA attracted close to 400 supporters and raised over $325,000.
Guests were also delighted by the “Mystery Blue Box Raffle” sponsored by Tiffany & Co. at The Westchester. One lucky winner went home with an 18K white gold atlas medallion diamond pendant and every box contained a Tiffany crystal bow box. Event sponsors include: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP (main sponsor); Tiffany & Co. at The Westchester (Co-sponsor); Estate Motors; Serendipity Magazine & South Bedford Oral Maxillofacial Surgery.
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About Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are painful, medically incurable illnesses that attack the digestive system. Crohn's disease may attack anywhere from the mouth to the anus, 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 hospitalization and surgery. These illnesses can cause severe complications, including colon cancer in patients with long-term disease. Some 1.4 million American adults and children suffer from Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, with as many as 150,000 under the age of 18. Most people develop the diseases between the ages of 15 and 35.
About the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America's mission is to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases. The Foundation ranks third among leading health non-profits in the percentage of expense devoted to research toward a cure, with more than 80 cents of every dollar the Foundation spends going to mission-critical programs. The Foundation consistently meets the standards of organizations that monitor charities, including the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance (give.org) and the American Institute of Philanthropy (charitywatch.org).
