Honorees

Kate Moskowitz, age 5
Team South Florida Honored Hero

Written by Kate’s mother, Nicole
While our family is no stranger to Crohn’s Disease, when our (then 2-year-old) daughter, Kate, was diagnosed, it still came as quite a shock. She came down with what we thought was the stomach flu, but after a week of severe diarrhea, vomiting, bleeding and fevers over 105, our pediatrician (knowing our family history) referred us to a GI. Watching our 2-year-old go through a colonoscopy and multiple rounds of blood work was heartbreaking. Kate was so brave, positive, and kept her sense of humor throughout it all. Within a few weeks of the initial onset of symptoms, she was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. 

She was started on Pentasa and a round of Prednisone, which brought its own set of miserable side effects. It was seven months before she was well enough to start tapering off the Prednisone and start 6MP, which the doctors hoped would keep her in remission. While on the 6MP, we noticed the return of our happy, energetic, and fun-loving daughter—it was so great to have her back! The 6MP did keep her in remission, but only for a short two months. She had to start another round of Prednisone. It helped her gastrointestinal symptoms, but failed to help all of the other extraintestinal symptoms that Crohn’s can bring such as debilitating joint pain, fevers, eye pain, and severe fatigue. She was tapered off the Prednisone.  

With few other treatment options available, she was started on Remicade. After about a year, Kate stopped responding to the Remicade. After a long battle with the insurance companies, Kate was finally approved for Humira. She is now beginning to feel better and eat better. We hope this continues so that our little girl can live a happy and active life. 

Kate celebrated her fifth birthday in June 2012 and we are optimistic that with a watchful eye, and continually seeking the best treatment options and advice, that we will be able to stay ahead of this disease and give her the best future possible.