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Team Challenge Honorees, Testimonials and Team NYC!

Meet Ethan a 7 year old with an amazing heart and Crohn's Disease.
His Aunt Patti Takes the Challenge to Change his LIFE!

Ethan's Crohn's story begins not with stomach pains, but with severe leg pains at the tender age of 2. After a year of increasing pains and unsuccessful visits to his pediatrician, his mother read a book entitled, "It's Not Just Growing Pains" by Thomas J.A. Lehman, M.D. One visit to Dr. Lehman confirmed that Ethan had arthritis (specifically, spondylarthropathy), which the doctor cautioned may be the first symptom of an autoimmune disease that may appear later in life, such as Irritable Bowel Disease.

When Ethan was 4, he began having severe abdominal cramping and frequent diarrhea. His mother remembered the warning from Dr. Lehman and again attempted to get a pediatrician to listen to her concerns. One year later, it was noted at his physical that Ethan had lost 5 pounds and he was finally referred to a pediatric gastroenterologist. After a full work up, he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Ethan now takes medications 4-5 times a day and is a running, jumping, active 7 year old.

Ethan's family is grateful that the disease was caught in the early stages, but are concerned that so many pediatricians don't appear to have an understanding that a child so young can be struck by IBDs such as Crohn's and colitis. The future is uncertain and scary at times, but the hopes are that some day there may be a cure or at least better treatment options that don’t have so many potentially bad side effects.

Testimonies from TEAM NYC!

Lisa, New York City: writes:
I can truly say that participating in Team Challenge was one of the best experiences in my life.  It was a challenge in many ways:  urging my friends and family to donate generously, urging my legs to run for much longer than I ever had before, urging myself to get out of bed before sunrise to meet the team for Central Park training runs.  But the rewards were greater than I had ever imagined: the joy of crossing the finish line, the pride of raising funds for such an important cause, and the support and laughter shared with wonderful new friends all contributed to an unmatched experience that will stay with me for a lifetime.

Fred, Forest Hills, NY. writes:
Event weekend was fabulous, the race was exciting and course was breathtaking! I met so many wonderful people from across the country, many I still speak with often. I have never experience such team spirit in my life. Being part of TEAM NYC ROCKED! Go Team NYC!!!!

Frankie, New York City; writes:
CCFA is an amazing organization that radiates with a positive energy unlike any other I have experienced. Over the months of training I found that I was actually able to run this distance (which I really didn’t think was possible). More importantly everyone involved with this huge undertaking is there for all the right reasons. I met amazing people and formed wonderful friendships. It was truly a life changing experience and I’m excited to continue to be involved with such a worthwhile organization that has become important to me.