Phoenix Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis

Phoenix, Take Steps to Find a Cure!

Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis is CCFA's largest fundraising event and the nation's only walk dedicated to finding a cure for digestive diseases. Participants raise funds throughout the year to find a cure and come together to celebrate the steps taken when no American has to suffer with digestive diseases and Crohn's or colitis. A cure is within our reach yet we need you.

Register today. Join thousands of others in the fight against digestive diseases.

With your support we are committed to transforming the lives of those impacted by these diseases to one of a brighter future based on well-funded, cutting-edge scientific research. Make the decision now to join us and raise funds toward a future free from Crohn's and colitis!

Take Steps depends on these generous sponsors: 

Please join us for a fantastic fundraiser hosted by our Honored Hero: 

Introducing 2013 Phoenix Take Steps' Honored Hero:

Jennifer Miller

Hi everyone – my name is Jennifer and I am thrilled to represent the Southwest Chapter of the CCFA this year!  My IBD story started when I was in high school.  Inexplicable pain and other symptoms struck like lightening.  Our family doctor referred me to a gastroenterologist who diagnosed me with internal hemorrhoids, told me to add fiber to my diet, and sent me on my way.

High school continued and merged into college without me giving much thought to the scary symptoms that had begun to crop up a few years before.  That is, until finals my second fall semester.  Increased symptoms led me to question the diagnosis of internal hemorrhoids, and I consulted another doctor.  After some tests, my suspicion that ulcerative colitis was the real culprit was confirmed.

My symptoms increased at such a rapid rate that I was given prednisone and told that if I didn’t show signs of improvement I would be admitted to the hospital.  Otherwise, according to another doctor, I “would die.”  Nice bedside manner, huh?  Well, I didn’t show signs of improvement and spent the next month in the hospital, was put on TPN (liquid nutrition), and assigned my fourth gastroenterologist.  Luckily, my new doctor was able to stabilize the disease.  I missed that spring semester of college, but made up the units to graduate as planned and with honors in 2007 with my BA in Economics.

It was smooth sailing until 2008 when symptoms returned.  After months of fighting a flare, taking every type of IBD drug, and receiving a double dose of Remicade, my entire colon was removed in an emergency surgery.  The loss of my colon and the addition of an ostomy was far from pleasant, but certainly better than the quality of life I had up to that point.  The next surgery (out of a planned three) failed after a staple ripped internally, causing a fistula.  My surgeon’s attempt to fix the fistula non-invasively was unsuccessful, and it was a full year before the second surgery was possible.  Fortunately, all went well on the second attempt.  My ostomy was reversed more than two years later in 2011.

Despite all of these procedures and recoveries, flare ups and hospital stays, liquid-only diets and trips to the pharmacy, I have always been determined to never let my disease control my dreams.  Ulcerative colitis has made me strong and helped me determine what I want out of life.  For example, before my surgeries I wanted to model.  So, after surgery, I did.  With an ostomy.  I have modeled in hair shows and photo shoots in California and Arizona for hair brands such as Wella and Sebastian and was the regular model for Ella Cathy, a clothing wholesaler in the heart of the Garment District in Los Angeles.  I am proud and thankful for these opportunities.

Currently, I work fulltime for Arizona State University and am pursuing my master’s degree in Sustainable Tourism through ASU.  I have coauthored two academic journal articles and am working on my third.  In my spare time, I enjoy photography (PicturesofaCloud.com), have volunteered for CCFA for a number of years, and am an active member with the Phoenix Symphony Young Professionals group.

As with every year, I am looking forward to raising funds so that CCFA can continue programs like summer camp for children with IBD and patient education.  I might not have all of my guts, but I have guts!

-Jennifer Miller