Walk raises $68,000 for Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
Joint effort between Stony Brook Medicine and Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation nets $68,000
STONY BROOK, NY, October 24, 2013 – Spirits were high despite overcast skies among 650 walkers from 63 teams who turned out on Sunday, Oct. 6, to raise more than $68,000 in Stony Brook Medicine’s second annual Take Steps for Crohn’s & Colitis 5K walk on the Stony Brook University campus.
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Stony Brook Medicine team leaders Dr. Ramona Rajapakse, left, and Dr.
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The walk, which raises funds for medical research as well as awareness in the community of the devastating effects of digestive diseases, is a joint effort of Stony Brook Medicine and the Long Island chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). In addition to the participants, more than 100 volunteers came out to help.
The day began with pre-walk festivities, including music and activities for kids, followed by the 2.3-mile walk, which was kicked off with music from the Stony Brook University Marching Band.
Among the largest fundraising groups was the Stony Brook Medicine team – which was organized by Ellen Li, MD, PhD, Professor and Chief of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Stony Brook University School of Medicine; and Ramona Rajapakse, MD, Associate Professor of Gastroenterology and Hepatology – raised more than $5,700, which will be designated to fund CCFA’s research, professional and patient education, and outreach programs. Among the walkers were patients, family members, friends, staff from Stony Brook Medicine and community members.
“Events like these contribute greatly to our efforts to educate the community about digestive diseases,” Dr. Li said. “Building awareness and gathering research support for Crohn’s disease and colitis strengthens our ability to make real progress towards a cure.”
Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis (UC) are inflammatory diseases of the bowel, broadly categorized as inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. More than 1.4 million American adults and children are affected by these digestive diseases.
Donations for the walk are still being accepted at the CCFA website. Visit cctakesteps.org/easternlongisland and click on Make an Event Donation. For more information about Stony Brook Medicine’s Digestive Disorders Institute, visit digestive.stonybrookmedicine.edu.
About Stony Brook University Digestive Disorders Institute
Stony Brook University Digestive Disorders Institute, part of Long Island’s premier academic medical center, provides an expert team of board-certified gastroenterologists and hepatologists who perform both routine and advanced diagnostic tests and procedures using the latest technology and state-of-the-art techniques. More than 13,000 endoscopic procedures are performed annually. The Institute comprises three specialized centers: Interventional Endoscopy Center, Gastrointestinal Motility Center and Gastrointestinal Women’s Center. It has been designated as a “Recognized Endoscopy Unit” by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). For more information, visit www.digestive.stonybrookmedicine.edu.
