The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation (The Foundation) is a volunteer fueled

non-profit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

in the US that works to fund research to find cures for

Crohn's disease Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that may affect any segment of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms often include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, abdominal distension, and weight loss. Complications outside of the ...

and ulcerative colitis, collectively known as

inflammatory bowel disease Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of inflammatory conditions of the colon and small intestine, with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) being the principal types. Crohn's disease affects the small intestine and large intestine ...

(IBD), and to improve the

quality of life Quality of life (QOL) is defined by the World Health Organization as "an individual's perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards ...

of children and adults affected by these

digestive diseases Gastrointestinal diseases (abbrev. GI diseases or GI illnesses) refer to diseases involving the gastrointestinal tract, namely the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and rectum; and the accessory organs of digestion, the liver, ...

. Founded by Shelby and William Modell, Suzanne and Irwin Rosenthal,Board of Trustees
". ''Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America''. Accessed on February 2, 2016. and Dr. Henry Janowitz, it was launched publicly on September 12, 1967, as the National Foundation for Ileitis and Colitis. (The Foundation was later renamed the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America and is now the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation.) It was incorporated on December 17, 1965. The Foundation serves millions of patients diagnosed with IBD in the U.S., through its national headquarters in NYC, and more than 30 chapters nationwide. Research, educational workshops, as well as symposia, along with the Foundation's scientific journal, ''

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of inflammatory conditions of the colon and small intestine, with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) being the principal types. Crohn's disease affects the small intestine and large intestine ...

'', enable medical professionals to keep pace with this rapidly growing field. The National Institutes of Health has commended the Foundation for "uniting the research community and strengthening IBD research". The Foundation ranks third among leading health non-profits in the percentage of expense devoted to mission-critical programs, with at least 80 cents of every dollar the Foundation spends going toward medical research, professional education, and patient support.

Research

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation funds studies at medical institutions, nurtures investigators at the early stages of their careers, and finances underdeveloped areas of research to find the causes of and cures for Crohn's and colitis. The Foundation has provided more than $500 million for Crohn's and colitis research to date.

Patients and Caregivers

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation offers literature and patient support services nationally as well as through its more than 30 regional chapters. The Foundation provides information and education for the estimated 1 in 100 inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and their families through a variety of periodicals (''Take Charge'', ''Under the Microscope''), books, awareness campaigns, local chapter events, Webcasts, and through its web site. Due to its extensive public awareness and outreach efforts, the Foundation reaches at least one out of every 18 patients, compared to the Arthritis Foundation, with one out of every 85, or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, with one out of every 435.

Advocacy

Advocacy is a major component of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's mission. Its advocates are not only patients, but family members, friends, caregivers, and healthcare professionals who want to make their voices heard and see a future free from IBD. The Foundation advocates on behalf of IBD patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. Foundation advocates call for increased Federal funding for Crohn's and colitis research and awareness programs designed to improve the lives of patients and improved access to care.

Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Week and World IBD Day

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation successfully lobbied Congress to designate the week of December 1–7 as Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Week in order to encourage all Americans to join in the effort to find cures for these diseases, help raise awareness, and support research. The first event occurred in 2011 through U.S. Senate Resolution 199. Most countries worldwide also recognize World IBD Day, which occurs each year on May 19. It has a similar goal of increasing awareness and knowledge of the disease.

Fundraising

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation primarily relies on the support of members and donors to continue its work. The Foundation raises funds through its local and nationwide special events, spearheaded by its national Team Challenge and Take Steps programs. Team Challenge is the Foundation's endurance training and fundraising program, which prepares participants to run or walk a half marathon, take part in a cycling event, or experience a sprint triathlon while raising money for cures. Take Steps, the Foundation's largest fundraising event, mobilizes participants in over 150 local communities across the nation to come together and walk for Crohn's and colitis research. The Foundation received $3,042,350 in grants from the

United States Department of Health and Human Services The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a cabinet-level executive branch department of the US federal government created to protect the health of the US people and providing essential human services. Its motto is ...

between 2008 and 2015. Its corporate sponsors from 2018-2022 include:

Great Comebacks Awards

Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America established the Great Comebacks Awards in 1984 in order to recognize individuals who have triumphed over

. In 1991, the award was given to Dr. P. Kent Cullen, a colon surgeon who has ulcerative colitis and has undergone multiple

ostomy In anatomy, a stoma (: stomata or stomas) is any opening in the body. For example, a mouth, a nose, and an anus are natural stomata. Any hollow organ can be manipulated into an artificial stoma as necessary. This includes the esophagus, stomach, ...

surgeries.

Mission

The mission of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation is "to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases."

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America Non-profit organizations based in New York City Disability organizations based in the United States Organizations established in 1965 Autoimmune disease organizations Health charities in the United States Medical and health organizations based in New York (state) Crohn's disease Ulcerative colitis