Honorees
Meet Ishan:
Soccer player, world traveler, honor student. His dream is to become a professional soccer player one day. Last year, at age 11, Ishan was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. According to Ishan, he “feels frustrated due to the fact that there is no cure.” Some of the medical procedures have been painful, and he worries about his future. One out of every 200 people is diagnosed with an IBD, and as Ishan puts it, “It’s a lottery you don’t want to win.” He feels that it is important to increase peoples’ awareness about Crohn’s and Colitis and at the same time raise funds to help find a cure.
When he is not playing club soccer, he is skateboarding, skimboarding, or learning how to surf and snowboard. He is physically very active, and Crohn’s has not slowed him down. Last summer, he spent an “awesome” week at Camp Oasis, a camp for kids with Crohn’s and Colitis. He was surrounded by other kids experiencing similar needs and concerns, as well as “cool” counselors who made it so much fun for all the kids. Ishan plans to go back this summer, and when he is 17, wants to become at Leader-in-Training and eventually a counselor at the camp. He wants to thank the Team Challenge participants for bringing hope and support to the millions who suffer with these diseases.My name is Leah Corbin and I'm a 24 year-old accountant living in Hollywood. I love spending time with my two dogs and cat and enjoy going to the movies in my spare time. I started having stomach problems when I was 17 years-old and went through many various tests and treatments until I was finally diagnosed with Crohn's disease when I was 21 years old.
I was immediately put on steroids and my symptoms went away for about a year. Since then, my symptoms have returned and I have tried many different treatments, all of which have failed to relieve my symptoms. I am having surgery on April 11th to remove the diseased portion of my intestines, and hopefully this will make me feel a lot better.
Since I am having surgery, I won't be able to run or walk in the 1/2 marathon, but I am offering my support and encouragement to all of you that are running and walking. I hope to be able to train along with you next year!
Meet Caleb and Crystal
They are brother and sister. Crystal is a wonderful 9 years old girl. Her favorite activities are drawing, coloring, swimming, and loves to travel. She is a great student, currently in 3rd grade attending Los Amigos Elementary, and was elected the District Student of Month when she was in 1st grade. Crystal was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in her early kindergarten life on February 2006. After two painful months of distress, she was finally admitted to Children’s Hospital having 17 evacuations a day. She is currently taking medications everyday and is currently in remission.
Caleb is a 10 year old boy that everyone loves. He likes to make people laugh and he is always making new friends. His favorite activities are playing legos, wii, and swimming. This year he competed on the Science Olympiad where his team received a silver medal from CAL State University Los Angeles. The diagnosis for Caleb was a bit easier due to having a sibling with a history of colitis. After two colonoscopies he was finally diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis on December 2007. Caleb is currently taking asteroids which are helping him feel better.
Caleb and Crystal ask when or if there will be a day when they won’t have to take medication anymore. They worry that if they eat some food it would make them sick, feel the pain and start bleeding again. They ask why they can’t eat all the food like the other children in school. They believe that getting everybody involved will help build awareness about Crohn’s and Colitis and the urgency to find a cure.
Their older brother Aron, 11yrs old, worries about Caleb and Crystal’s health. He wants to become a G.I. doctor to help find the cure for them and other children of the world. Last year he made a power point school project about Crohn’s and Colitis to get people informed about the disease.
For Caleb and Crystal their happiest days are the days they spend at the Painted Turtle Camp. They anxiously await for the next summer to return and meet with their friends who share their same needs and concerns and the counselors who make of their stay something unforgettable. They are excited to cheer for their dad and the other team members who are participating in the Team Challenge. They are thrilled to be selected as Honorees and want to thank every one involved for making it possible and for bringing hope and support to the millions who suffer these diseases.Hi my name is Kati and I am 21 years old. I love to shop with my friends and my sister and be with my family. I was attending school to be a teacher and was working part time when 2 years ago I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. Since then my life has really changed. This is disease with many complications that don’t just affect the patient. It has also taken a toll on my family and friends.
The last year the disease has really taken control of my life I have missed holidays special occasions, been hospitalized 13 times in less then a year. I even missed my own surprise 21st birthday so I have been really down lately but when I heard about the CCFA and all the great things they are doing for people in my situation I was elated to know that there were people out there who care. So I am glad that people are taking into account another disease that is very serious among our population and helping find a cure.
Before any of this happened I was just a normal teenager going on about my business but I don’t think that’s where my life was supposed to head. I think I was meant to help people and that is why this happened to me to open my eyes up to the possibilities. I have a wonderful family and support system and an amazing boyfriend who has stuck by my side through the good the bad and the ugly so even though I was unlucky to get this I am so blessed in many other ways. Thanks again for all your hard work.
Meet Brenna
Hi, my name is Brenna Hession and I am 12 years old and in 7th grade. I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease one year ago. Looking back we now know so much. We think the mild symptoms began at a fairly young age. I had a very sensitive stomach and I used the bathroom more often than others.
During the summer between third and fourth grade I had minor stomach aches and used the bathroom a lot. I didn’t really tell my Mom and Dad about it. Then one day in September, right after school started, my stomach starting hurting and it wouldn’t go away. I got a fever and I was screaming and crying in pain. My Mom took me to the Emergency Room, she and the doctors thought it was appendicitis. I had my first IV for my first CAT scan. I was scared out of my wits. The pain went away and I fell asleep while my Mom waited for the results.
About 3 months later I had another “attack”; it was during the day so we went to my pediatrician. I had another CAT scan, with another IV, and I am terrified of needles. I was lying on the CAT Scan Table crying to my Mom “Please don’t let her do it. Please don’t! Please Mommy, Please” My Mom was crying and told me we had to do it to see how to make me feel better. The IV made me feel warm through my whole body and made me feel like I had to go pee. The nurse gave me a band aide and a lollipop. The Dr. again misdiagnosed me.
On the first day of school in the sixth grade I told my mom I wanted to get a perfect attendance award. I missed over 40 days of school that year. I miss a lot of school now - some kids think I changed classes or moved because I am out so much. I also have to leave the class a lot to use the bathroom. I go to the bathroom A LOT!!!
I remember the day I finally got the diagnosis of Crohns Disease. It may sound funny to say FINALLY, but after living for so long with various symptoms and pain without a name - it was sort of a relief. We went to my Grandma and Grandpa’s house after the doctor’s office and I threw my hands up in the air and announced “I have Crohns!” We all laughed, but honestly having Crohns is no laughing matter but it helps to keep your sense of humor.
My energy level is usually very low. I am always tired, I sleep in more - that is unlike me. When I was little my mom nicknamed me Sunshine because I was always up at the crack of dawn and was energetic from the first moment I woke up. Now I have bursts of energy in the afternoon from about 3:00p.m to 5:00 p.m. Many of my symptoms are quite embarrassing. I think it is hard enough being in middle school without all of this
I sometimes feel like I am an outsider and no that one understands what I am going through.
I am no longer aloud to have popcorn. When we go to the movies all my friends can eat it and I have to watch them eat one of my favorite foods. I now sneak some pirate booty into the theatres for me instead of popcorn - I like it, but it’s not as good as theatre popcorn.
I would be the happiest person alive if they found a cure, it would be GREAT! I wouldn’t go to the bathroom as much, I would eat a barrel of popcorn, I would GROW, and most importantly a chance at perfect attendance. The first thing I would do is run to hug Dr. Marla Dubinsky and say “We did it!!!” I could finally live a normal life.My name is Emma Sweaza and I am 11 years old. I am in 5th grade at Villa Park Elementary. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis when I was 6-1/2 years old. I had to take a bunch of medicine, sometimes more than 20 pills a day and have my blood drawn all the time. My stomach hurt all the time and I was always tired. I couldn't do anything fun and was afraid to go far from home because I was afraid I wouldn't get to a bathroom on time.
I missed a lot of school because I was so sick, either from the medicine I was on or from UC. One good thing about UC (ha-ha) is that I get to go to the Painted Turtle camp every summer. I love camp, it is so fun and everyone at camp has IBD, just like I do!
When I was 9, my UC got REALLY bad and I was very, very sick. My mom was talking to the doctor everyday and we tried all kinds of treatment but nothing worked. My parents tried to make me drink some special tea that tasted BAD! I had to stop eating sugar, dairy, fruit and vegetables. I missed drinking milk! I had to go to the hospital and get an IV every few weeks for Remicade treatments but it never worked.
In January I had to stop going to school and I went into the hospital. My parents and doctor said I had to have surgery and I was very scared. I cried and begged not to have surgery. Nine days before my 10th birthday I had my colon removed and was given an ileostomy. It was supposed to take just two surgeries but I was so sick I had to have three. I had the ileostomy for 7 months.
I didn't mind having an ileostomy bag because I finally felt good! I was able to go on sleepovers, go swimming and ride my bike again! I even went to camp with an ileostomy bag! My friends could see I felt so much better that they even wanted to help me when I needed to take care of my bag.
When I was getting my Remicade infusions I met another kid who had UC. After I had my surgery he saw how happy I was and decided it was okay for him to have his colon removed too! We spent a lot of time together and when it came time for both of us to have our final surgeries we did it together! We had surgery the same day and recovered together in the hospital. It was nice having a friend going through the same stuff.
I am back in school now and I don't have to take ANY medicine! I found out I have osteoporosis because of all the treatments I had but it doesn't stop me from doing what I want. I love to play video games, hang out with my friends and design clothes. I got a kitty after my last surgery and named him Oreo. He is black and white and I love him to pieces! I have a bunch of friends and am so glad to be back at school with them. I also have my group of IBD friends that I enjoy doing things with too.
I am excited to be your "honoree" and think it will be a lot of fun! My mom is excited too :)
updated 3/4/09