Honorees

EMILY SIVAK

My name is Emily Sivak and I am a 15 year old sophomore at State College Area High School. My family is originally from Pittsburgh but we've been living in State College since 2001.

I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease in 2005. Although I have had my ups and downs over the past few years, taking daily medicine (23 pills!), doctors visits, and multiple tubes of blood work has now become routine for me.

I enjoy playing the flute in marching band, crafting, swing dancing and hanging out with my friends and family. One of the best things about having Crohns Disease, for me, has been attending Camp Oasis for the last four years. I have met so many great friends and I aspire to become a counselor there someday. Through the camp, I have learned to become more comfortable with my disease and I would definitely recommend it to anyone with IBD.

I like to participate in as many as the CCFA sponsored events as I can because they are fun and rewarding. I am honored to become a part of the CCFA Team Challenge and am sure that not only me but other teens with Crohns or colitis are grateful for the time and effort the participants are putting in to help find us a cure.

ERIN BISS

I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease on my 19th birthday in July of 2000. My disease progressed very quickly and by October of that year, I was almost entirely obstructed by what my doctor at the time believed to be inflammation. After months of 80mgs of prednisone, imuran and asacol with no relief and no support from my gastroenterologist; I gave up on the medications, helped along in this decision by the 13 Kidney stones (one of which required lithrotripsy).

Years later and at 73 pounds, I married my loving husband Cass and "vowed" to get better. In 2005, I saw the best surgeon who informed me that it was already scar tissue way back in 2000 and no wonder the medications didnt work.

After a successful surgery, I was great for about a year until that same section of my intestines, the ileosecal region, scarred down again and I had another surgery in December of 2007, again at a scelatal 85 lbs. The second operation was successful, but I coded the next day due to a overdose of morphine. In 3 days, I ballooned up almost 30 lbs from the IV fluid (something was really wrong). Shortly thereadter, I was diagnosed with lupis on top of everything else.

Apparently my kidneys are functioning like and 80 year old and my liver tests are awful. To top it off, I can't eat. After a battery of more tests, my gastro doctor has decided that I have complete colonic inertia and Irritable bowel disease as well.

So, I am hovering between 85 and 95 pounds, sucking on chicken broth and trying to maintain a full-time job, a household and a happy marriage.

With my whole body failing, my hope never has. I am so elated that my husband has dedicated so much of his time (which is hard with 3 jobs) to this great cause. I can't wait to cheer him on in Miami!!

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