“I have been an ulcerative colitis patient since 1980. I was aware of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, but never participated much other than membership until around 2012,” explains Dunwoody Resident Michael Weinberg. “Then, in 2006, my middle son was diagnosed at age 2 with ulcerative colitis.”
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic autoimmune diseases characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract. The Foundation’s Torch Gala will be held on October 15 at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta. The goal: to raise more than $520,000, with proceeds going toward funding critical research, to better treat and ultimately cure Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), which include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Weinberg discusses the importance of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation for families that are struggling with the disease.
“Around 2009, I became very ill and started on a biologic. My son started on a biologic, as well, at a young age,” explains Weinberg. “Between my hospital visit and hospital visits for my son throughout his younger years, we took advantage of the educational aspects that the Foundation offered, providing us with both information and resources.”
Weinberg has been an active supporter of the Foundation for more than 10 years, as a chair of annual fundraisers and a member of their board, including three years serving as chapter president. His son attended Camp Oasis, a residential summer camp program enriching the lives of children with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis by providing them with a safe and supportive camp community.
“The upcoming Torch Gala is critical to families like mine,” says Weinberg. “Crohn’s and Colitis are physically and mentally debilitating. These diseases make you feel helpless and alone. Programs like Camp Oasis, as well as the ongoing educational and patient connecting services, really support patients’ mental condition.”
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is the largest non-profit voluntary health agency dedicated to finding cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improving the quality of life of those affected. 3.1 million Americans and an estimated 100,000 Georgians are living with IBD. The Torch Gala is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Foundation’s Georgia Chapter.
“The Foundation is a volunteer led organization, dependent on critical donations which can change the lives of patients and their families,” says Weinberg. “Connected to this is the critical research the Foundation provides. Its research efforts, including the innovative MicroBiome research, may yield incredible advances. While government and universities may provide some funding, critical donations are used to broaden the scope of research for disease treatment and hopefully one day, eradication.”
Weinberg adds, “The more awareness we can create, the faster we can treat these people that are suffering.”
For more information about the Gala, visit: Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Torch Gala, or call 404.982.0616.
Contact:
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
(404) 982-0616
erichter@crohnscolitisfoundation.org
