Research Review Act Passes Senate

The IBD-related bill passed by the House of Representatives on October 7 unanimously passed the Senate earlier this week and awaits only the President's signature.  The bill, known as the "Research Review Act," contains several of the provisions of the "IBD Act" and represents a major legislative victory for IBD patients.  Read more about this landmark legislation. 

A New Target for Crohn's Disease Therapy:
Interleukin-12

A new study found that an experimental drug that targets an immune system protein known as interleukin-12 (IL-12) has been shown to be helpful in a small group of Crohn's patients. The study was published on November 10 in the New England Journal of Medicine, a prominent medical journal. For the full story, click here.
 

Meet our 2004 Local Heroes!

CCFA is delighted to announce the winners of the 2004 Local Hero Patient Celebration Program. These awards are presented to young people between the ages of seven and 17 who have shown courage and determination while living with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Now in its fourth year, the program is sponsored by CCFA in partnership with Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

And the winners are: Catherine Wicker (Houston Gulf Coast/South Texas Chapter), and Elena Shaw (Southwest Chapter)! To read more about our winners and their achievements, click here.

Flu Vaccine Recommended for IBD Patients

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued recommendations outlining who should receive the limited available influenza vaccine. Though each patient should discuss this with his or her own doctor, people with IBD are considered to have a "chronic medical condition" and thus fall under a priority group category to receive the vaccine. Read more.

NEW! Study on MAP Shows Progress, Further Study Required 
In the September 18th issue of The Lancet, a major medical journal, Drs. Naser, Ghobrial, Romero and Valentine report on a study that examined MAP in patients with Crohn's disease. MAP, a bacterium known as Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, has been under study for years as a possible infectious cause of Crohn's disease. For full details on the study, click here.

RFA: Biomarkers for Colon Cancer
This proposal seeks to support clinical studies to explore possible candidate biomarkers for colon cancer in patients with IBD. These could be identified through blood tests, stool tests or tests on simple biopsies of the rectum (no colonoscopy). Deadline for applications is January 14, 2005. Read more.

New Webcast for Professionals
IBD: Complications and Deliberations
This CME-accredited program was originally presented at CCFA's IBD Forum during Digestive Disease Week 2004. To view this program, click here.




Power Speedway 
CCFA members, supporters, and racing enthusiasts raised more than $60,000 at the CCFA Power Speedway on Sunday, October 3.  Check out the recap and photos, and get geared up for next year!