Olivia Lathrop from Bend, Oregon is inspiring people in the Central Oregon area to participate in the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s Northwest Chapter’s Take Steps Walk on October 4 at 2:30pm at Riverbend Park. Olivia is living with Crohn’s disease which combined with ulcerative colitis are painful, debilitating digestive diseases impacting over 1.4 million American adults and children, with as many as 150,000 under the age of 18. Over 11,000 of these patients live right here in Oregon.
Olivia Lathrop, Take Steps Bend Honored Hero, is 19 years old and has been battling Crohn’s Disease since she was 9. A recent college grad from Central Oregon Community College and a veteran ballet student with 16 years of experience she is working hard to spread the word and help others.
“I am getting involved with Take Steps because I want to do more in my hometown to raise awareness. I have battled this disease for 10 years of my life and personally know the challenges that life with Crohns makes.” says Olivia. “Without the CCFA research and new medications on the market for patients like me, I would not be taking steps at all. I know it’s not a matter of if they will find a cure, but when.”
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are painful, medically incurable illnesses that attack the digestive system. Crohn’s disease may attack anywhere from the mouth to the anus, while ulcerative colitis inflames only the large intestine (colon). Symptoms may include abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever and weight loss. Many patients require hospitalization and surgery. These illnesses can cause severe complications, including colon cancer in patients with long-term disease. Some 1.4 million American adults and children suffer from Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, with as many as 150,000 under the age of 18. Most people develop the diseases between the ages of 15 and 35.
Thousands of people will gather this spring at nearly 80 walk sites across the country to join the fight against Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The walks are family friendly festivals with activities for everyone including bands, games, activities, food and a leisurely walk through a park or community. Take Steps has raised over $40 million for research and patient support services and is committed to transforming the lives of those impacted by these diseases and leading them to a brighter future through well-funded, cutting-edge scientific research.
Take Steps is the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s national walk program. These walks raise funds for critical research and increase awareness of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, painful and unpredictable digestive diseases. Thousands of people will gather this year at 170 Take Steps walks nationwide to join the fight against Crohn’s and colitis. The walks are family friendly festivals with activities for everyone including games, music, and great food. Funds raised through Take Steps will help transform the lives of those impacted by these diseases, and support CCFA’s critical research, education, and patient support programs.
Take Steps is supported in 2014 by Abbvie, a platinum sponsor.
www.cctakesteps.org/bend or Kristen Baxter at 505-715-7610 or kbaxter@ccfa.org.
