FEATURE20th Annual M&M Celebrity Golf Tournament15th Annual Heel ‘n’ Wheel-a-Thon ResultsCCFC Charity BBQ at Melrose Café and Bar

PREsidEnT’s MEssAgEEvents Calendar

15th Annual Heel ‘n’ Wheel-a-ThonFall Annual General Meeting

inFoRMATion Calgary Chapter Gala in 2010M&M Meat Shops Charity BBQ

The Gutsy Generation Photo Contest

EdUCATion And REsEARCH nEWsCCFC Charity BBQ at Melrose Café and Bar

Fall Education Preview Row Your Own Boat

The GEM ProjectIBD Research Update

Medical Advisor’s ReportVolunteer PerspectiveNotice to all Members

CCFC Calgary Chapter Executive Committee Chairs and Members

Calgary ChapterP.O. Box 50116, Marlborough Postal Outlet Calgary, AB T2A 7P1 Tel: (403) 266-2342

Email: Calgary@ccfc.ca

Regional OfficeRegional Director of Alberta/NWT/Nunavut

3100, 246 Stewart Green SW Calgary, Alberta, T3H 3C8

Phone: (403) 569-8477 Toll: 1-888-884-2232Email: canderson@ccfc.ca

Website: http://www.ccfc.ca

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NeWs & VieWs desigN & ediTiNg: Grace C. Visconti BA, AOCA, RGD

Eagleheart DynamicEmail comments and suggestions to:

info@eagleheartdynamic.com

The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada • Calgary Chapter Newsletter sUMMeR issUe 2010

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The 15Th aNNUal heel 'N' Wheel-a-ThON

Raised OVeR $122,000.

The 15th annual CCFC Heel ‘n’ Wheel-a-Thon was held June 13th

in Fish Creek Park. Together we raised $122,331.62 for research to find a cure for IBD. Our top pledge earner was Erin McDonald who raised $10,100. Nine other participants raised over $3,000. each: Geoff Coppola, Angela Blanchard, Jennifer Rivera, Kathy Luther, Travis Hemminger, Charlene Logan, Cor-rina Kotylak, Isabelle Weitz and Scott Martin. This year we had a total of 41 people who raised more than $1,000.

Join us Monday July 26th at the Pinebrook Golf Club for the 20th Annual M&M

Crohn’s and Colitis Golf Tournament. Our tournament can’t guarantee great weather, but we can promise great golf, lots of great

food, great prizes and a good time. We have some great hole in one prizes including $10,000, great draw prizes and of course the great skill prizes for the winning teams and individuals. We still have spots available for sponsors, golfers and of course we are always looking for auction items and volunteers to help out on the day of the event. If you are able to help, please contact (403) 266-2342 or email cking@ccfc.ca. Visit our website at www.ccfcgolf.ca.

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gOlF FOR The CURe aNd jOiN UsaT The 20Th aNNUal M&M CROhN’s aNd COliTis gOlF TOURNaMeNT

see larger image on page 4

PResideNT’s Message

On behalf of the Calgary Chapter of the CCFC, greetings to every-

one. Looking back at the calendar over the past few months as well as looking forward, this truly is a busy Chapter. From the smashing success of our Gala in March, a great Education event in April and the annual M&M Meat Shops Charity BBQ in May (that’s three in a row years we have had to cancel the downtown kickoff and so I believe next year will have to be sunny an warm), this is a tremendous amount of success in any organization. We hosted another tremendous Heel ‘n’ Wheel-a-Thon in which we raised in excess of $100,000. July is right around the corner and the “M&M Celebrity Golf Tournament” will be upon us and in another month we have our annual charity fundraiser at Melrose Café and Bar. We have so many opportunities where participants can get involved for both raising funds for research and generating awareness. That is what we are all about and it ties in directly to the vision of the national organization. I was fortu-nate enough to be in Edmonton this spring to catch the educational sym-posium at the University of Alberta. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet the researchers in their own environment and to see what is hap-pening in the lab. There is no doubt about it that finding a cure for a disease is a battle. However from the hundreds of people I have met accross this great country at every type of event imaginable, I can tell you unequivically we have the army that we need to pursue this fight. In both the peaks and the valleys we will find victories. But we will win this battle as a team. Please take the opportunity to continue to support the events that you have in the past and if possible, try a new one. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.Rob Hemminger, President

UPCOMiNg eVeNTs aNd FUNdRaisiNg aCTiViTiesEVENTS CALENDAR 2010 - 2011

EDUCAtIONSEMINAR

APRIL

ANNUAL GOLF tOURNAMENt

JULY

MELROSE CAFECHARIty BBQ

AUGUST

EDUCAtIONSEMINAR

NOVEMBER

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each and joined the top pledge earner club. This is the kind of dedication that makes our Calgary event so successful.

TEAM SPIRIT: We had some creative new team names this year, and many showed up in matching team t-shirts: Gut Busters, Crohn’s Crushers, Guts and Glory, the Gutsy team, G.I. Joes, Uncalled Coders, Remicade Rockers, Bunko Babes and Will Run For Beer, to name just a few. The Swollen Colons team raised more than $10,000. and even their dog was wearing a team t-shirt (not that he was too happy about it).

Special thanks to some folks who made the day even better for us:• Kirsten Silcox, our warm-up leader• Michael Switzer, our MC/DJ• Our entertainers Nicholas and Mike (the Nick DeRosa Band)• Fin-wall Site Services who provided the porta potties

We invite all CCFC members to attend the 32nd Annual General Meeting of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation – Calgary Chapter on Monday, September

13th, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. at 1025-10th Street SE. this is the time to hear about the accomplishments of our CCFC Calgary Chapter, elect our officers and review our audited financial statements. If you are interested in any position on the Calgary Executive, please call Carolle Anderson at 403-569-8477 or 1-888-884-2232.

BLACK GOLD GALA

MARCH

M&M MEAt SHOPS CHARIty BBQ

MAY

• Maxwell Realty for the tent• MAX the DOG mascot• Janet and Harvey Dunville with M&M Meat Shops (Forest Lawn) for the BBQ lunch

It takes a lot of people to put together an event like this one, and it could not be done without a great team of dedicated volunteers (more than 40 of them this year), and my tireless orga-nizing committee: Martin Stoffman, Bernie Switzer, Terry Luther, Tamara Johnston, Debbie Boudreau, Laurie Hutt, Angela Blanchard, Lily Proll, Amanda Boley, and Courtney King. Thanks folks.

If you would like to be a part of the orga-nizing committee for next year, or have suggestions as to how we can improve the event for the participants please call the Calgary Chapter 266-2342 or email Brenda Heins at heins@shaw.ca.

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Thank you to everyone who partici-pated in this year’s M&M Charity

BBQ. The day was a huge success! Across the country we raised over $1.61 million dollars to help aid in research to find a cure for Crohn’s and Colitis. This means more than $20 million has now been raised in total over our great 22 year partner-ship with M&M Meat Shops. Our volunteer list just keeps growing. We look forward to working with every-one next year. Start recruiting your friends for next May’s Charity BBQ. Please contact Maureen Wakeford at: 403-257-1392 for more information on volunteering for this event.

THAnK YoU M&M MEAT sHoPsAnd VoLUnTEERs

They need a cover for their book “Tales from the Throne”. If you are between the ages of 5-24, send in your inspira-tional photographs or drawings to:

The Gutsy Generation, 600 - 60 St. clair Avenue east, Toronto, Ontario, M4T 1N5 or thegutsygeneration@ccfc.ca

Your prize will include a free copy of the book with your art featured on the cover.contest closesJuly 16, 2010

Don’t forget to include your name and contact information on a separate sheet.

fuzzy Navel - Makes 1 - 375 ml serving1– 235 ml bottle chilled Vanilla Ensure125 ml sliced peaches in heavy syrup, drained1 ml (1/4 tsp) vanilla extract1 ml (1/4tsp) cinnamon2 drops yellow food colouring (optional) Directions:Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and serve. Can be prepared with Ensure Plus, Ensure Fibre, Ensure HP, Ensure Prebiotics.

CALLing ALL YoUTH – PHoTo ConTEsT! THE gUTsY gEnERATion is HAVing A ConTEsT!

The publication of articles in this newsletter does not constitute an endorsement of CCFC, any medical research, treatment or therapy of any product. Patients should discuss their individual circumstances with their physicians.

BLAcK GOLD SucceSS!

Thank you very much to all of you who supported the Calgary Chapter in this sophomore effort. We were very

fortunate to receive support from numer-ous local companies in the way of sponsor-ship or donations, and to have the support of many members of the CCFC community including our fabulous research team from the University of Calgary. Despite the task of coordinating a follow-up event to such a successful fi rst year, our committee raised the bar and this year the gala grossed an astonishing $82,000. for the CCFC. The evening took off without a hitch, where both the silent and live auctions were enormously successful, and the food was fantastic! We were also privileged to have Dr. Kevin Glasgow CEO of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada and his wife Sandy join us for the evening’s festivities. Again, a big thank you to all of the com-mittee members, attendees, and donors because without you, this most certainly would not have been possible. We look forward to growing the gala each year, and encourage anyone interested in joining our committee to help make the years to come even more successful! Jennifer Wakeford, 2010 Committee Chair

SUzANNE ARtyM AND DEBBIE BOULtON

KEN NEWANS AND StEPHEN HOLBROOK (HON. CHAIR)

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FALL inTEsTinAL disEAsE REsEARCH UniT (idRU) LECTURE: dR. dAnA PHiLPoTT, UniVERsiTY oF ToRonTo WEdnEsdAY, noVEMBER 24TH 2010

HOW THE INNATE IMMUNE SYSTEM RESPONDSTO BACTERIA AND THE ROLE THIS MAY PLAY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF IBD. Lecture Theatre G500, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, University of Calgary

The CCFC Calgary Chapter and Dr. Keith Sharkey, CCFC Chair in IBD Research, are pleased to announce the annual Intestinal Disease Research Unit (IDRU) Lecture for 2010. Renowned IBD researcher Dr. Dana Philpott of the University of toronto will be presenting the latest information from her research into how the innate immune system responds to bacteria and the role this may play in the development of IBD. Please save the date and plan to join us in this exciting opportunity to learn more about Dr. Philpott’s outstanding research and the latest developments in IBD research in Canada.

Alberta Health Services,Calgary Zone has a most beneficial program Living Well with a Chronic Condition. Check out the details at the website: www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/programs/cdm/index.htm. This program Row Your Own Boat is the Self-Management part of the program sponsored by the Health Region and presented by trained facilitators (who have a chronic condition). This pro-gram receives high ratings by the participants. The sessions are full of practical informa-tion, encouragement and ideas, and we have fun! The Pro-gram is offered in many areas of the city as well as Okotoks, Airdrie and Cochrane. They are offered in the evening, morning or afternoon and also in the languages of Cantonese and Punjabi.

ROW YOUR OWN BOAT

The Michael J. Howorth IBD GEM project: A Human Study on The Genetic, Environ-mental and MIcrobial Interactions that cause IBD, is led by principal investigator Dr. Kenneth Croitoru. This exciting proj-ect is a multi-disciplinary multi-centered prospective study of healthy subjects at high risk for developing Crohn’s disease. This landmark study is in honour of the late National Executive Director Michael J. Howorth who passed away in 2006. Researchers are recruiting 5,000 healthy subjects between the ages of 6 and 35 years old, identified as being at high-risk to develop IBD since they have siblings with Crohn’s disease. For more informa-tion on the project, go to: http://www.ccfc.ca/english/research/gem.html.

THE GEM PROJECT

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iBd ReseaRCh UPdaTe

antibiotics and other factors. These results sug-gest that some of the therapeutic effects of 5-ASA in IBD may be due to direct actions on bacteria in the gut. By better understanding how 5-ASA works to treat IBD, researchers can work to develop better methods to deliver the drug and also look into developing other treatments that may have a similar effect on gut bacteria. Further research is required to build on Dr. Rioux’s work and to look at other drug impacts on bacteria and to identify other bacteria that 5-ASA acts on that may be involved in IBD. As a novel theme, Dr. Rioux is examining other direct and indirect effects of immunosuppressant IBD drugs (e.g. corticosteroids and infliximab) on gut bacteria to discern factors that predict who may best respond to these drugs. Going forward, Dr. Rioux is working as a member of the Alberta IBD Con-sortium and is a principal investigator in a newly formed research team aiming to specifi-cally study the earliest bacterial and immuno-logical events that occur during the recurrence of Crohn’s disease in patients who have under-gone surgery to remove the diseased bowel. Dr. Kevin Rioux has been supported in part by funds from the CCFC Chair in IBD Research held by Dr. Keith Sharkey.

UNdeRsTaNdiNg geNes aNd iNFlaMMaTiON iN The gUT

The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are characterized by chronic recurring peri-

ods of inflammation in the gut. Research has shown the important role that the immune system plays in regulating and moderating inflammation throughout the human body, including in the gut. Currently, many research-ers believe that the chronic inflammation associated with IBD is caused by interac-tions between the immune system, bacteria and microbes in the gut and genes that make people more susceptible to this inflammation. Dr. Paul Beck is one of the scientists at the forefront of this research stream, hoping to better understand the role that our immune system and genes play in the development of inflammation and IBD. Dr. Beck is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Calgary, where he is also Director of the Intesti-nal Inflammation Tissue Bank Committee and

Director of the MD/PhD Program. Throughout his education, Dr. Beck has been interested in the role of the immune system in inflamma-tion in our gut; pursuing his PhD at Queen’s University and his MD at the University of Calgary. Following his Fellowships at the University of Calgary and Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Beck returned to Calgary to continue his research and earned a number of awards for his teaching, research and clinical work including the recently awarded Clinical Senior Scholar award from Alberta Innovates–Health Solutions (formerly the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research). Through his work to develop the Intes-tinal Inflammation Tissue Bank and his involvement in the Alberta IBD Consortium, Dr. Beck has partnered with other research-ers to study inflammation in human tissue, in cells and in animal models. One of the studies underway in his lab is looking to understand the way changes in a certain gene impacts the immune system in our gut. Decreased functioning of the NLRP3 gene has been found to lead to an increased risk of

developing Crohn’s disease. Though previous research has shown that this relationship exists, Dr. Beck was the first to study the mechanisms of how this works. When the NLRP3 gene is activated, it works to help produce proteins that create a substance called the “inflammasome”. The inflammasome helps to regulate inflamma-tion in our intestines and also plays a role in intestinal repair. Through his study, Dr. Beck was able to find that when the NLRP3 gene is less active, our natural internal mechanisms fight off damage to our intestine due to the bacteria and microbes in our gut are reduced. When we are less able to combat this damage, we experience chronic inflammation. By better understanding the mechanisms that lead to chronic inflammation and how specific genes act to increase susceptibility to IBD, Dr. Beck is helping to expand knowledge that will lead to better targeted treatments and eventually the cures for inflammatory bowel diseases. Dr. Paul Beck is supported by CIHR, Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions and in part by funds from the CCFC Chair in IBD Research, held by Dr. Keith Sharkey.

Advances have been made in the last few years in our understanding of what causes

IBD, but there are still many questions left unanswered. As powerful new tools and tech-niques are developed, researchers are using them to help answer longstanding questions into the how’s and why’s of disease develop-ment. This is one of the areas that is develop-ing rapidly thanks to the introduction of new concepts, methods, databases and computa-tional approaches in the realm of microbiol-ogy. Dr. Kevin Rioux is one of the researchers working to understand the role that microbes in our digestive system play in the develop-ment of IBD using these new techniques. As Assistant Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Microbiology & Infectious Diseases at the University of Calgary, Dr. Rioux is focused on better understanding the com-position and function of bacteria in the gut. Dr. Rioux earned his PhD and MD degrees from the University of Calgary, as well as

completing residencies in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology at the University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta, respectively. Following his Fellowship in IBD Research at the University of Alberta, Dr. Rioux returned to the University of Calgary where he received a CCFC Grant in Aid or Research, as well as funds from the CCFC Chair and the Gastrointestinal Research Group to begin his work on IBD and gut microbes. Mesalamine (5-aminosalicylic acid or 5-ASA) is a well-established treatment for mild to mod-erate IBD, though how and why 5-ASA works is not fully understood. Past research into the effects of drugs such as 5-ASA has focused on the drug’s effects on the cells in the gut or on the person as a whole. Dr. Rioux is leading innova- tive and novel research into the effects of drugs on the bacteria in the gut that are believed to play a role in IBD. Specifically, Dr. Rioux and his team used recently developed techniques to look at the way 5-ASA impacted bacterial gene expres-sion in the gut, which ultimately relates to how bacteria functions in the human host. Dr. Rioux’s research shows that 5-ASA affected genes that control how the bacte-ria metabolise, invade and survive against

UsiNg NeW MeThOds TO aNsWeR sOMe “Old” QUesTiONs dR. keViN RiOUxAssistant Professor

Departments of Medicine and Microbiology & Infectious Diseases

University of Calgary

dR. PaUl BeCkAssociate Professor

Department of Medicine University of Calgary

-MeeTiNg NOTiCes

2010 CCFC Calgary Chapter Executive President Rob Hemminger Vice-Presidents Geoff Coppola David Silverstone secretary Maureen Wakeford Treasurer John Taylor

education Coordinator Wilma Clark Membership Coordinator Kyle Lesack Medical advisor Dr. Remo Panaccione Chapter awareness (PR) VACANT Newsletter graphics and editor Grace C. Visconti heel ‘n’ Wheel-a-Thon 2010 Brenda Heins Coordinator Angela Blanchard golf Tournament Sue McGinleyCommittee Chairman 2010 gala Chairperson Jennifer Wakeford Casino Coordinators Amanda Weitz M&M Charity BBQ Coordinator Maureen Wakeford

2010 Committee Chairs and Members

Phone supportPhone support is available for all who suffer with IBD. Please call Wilma at 403-620-3842 if you want to have a discussion about coping with IBD.

The Calgary Ostomy societySmall Support Groups for New Ostomates, Ileostomates, Spouses and Significant Others. General inter-est Chapter meetings are the second Tuesdays of March, June, September and December. For more informa-tion go to http://www.calgary osto-mysociety.ca, or email President@CalgaryOstomySociety.ca

The ileo-anal Pouch surgery support group

The IAP Support Group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month (except December) at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room on the second floor of the Mid-Town Market Co-op Store at 11th Street and 11th Avenue SW. Anyone who has had or is considering this surgery is welcome. Bring your spouse, family or friends. For more information, call Karen Dombrowski at 403-245-3339 or visit our website at www.jpouchcalgary.ca.

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Medical Advisor’s ReportTReaTiNg BeyONd syMPTOMs: The eVOlUTiON OF iBd TheRaPy

DR. REMO PANACCIONE

Since the recognition of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, the goals of therapy have always been to recommend treatment

to alleviate the symptoms that are associated with these diseases, namely diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and abdominal pain. Some of the symptoms associated with IBD are more difficult to control such as fatigue and some of the extra-intestinal manifestations. However, in the last several years the goals of therapy have evolved beyond the treatment of symptoms with the realization that individ-

ual patient symptoms do not always reflect the activity of the disease. This is particularly true for Crohn’s disease where patients may have active disease (inflammation) in the absence of symptoms. This is demonstrated after patients with CD have surgery. Within a year of surgery approximately 70% will have evidence of disease recurrence but less than 20% of these patients will have symptoms. This silent disease and unrecognized ongoing inflammation can lead to complications such as the formation of scar tissue (strictures), fistula, and abscesses. Goals of therapy in 2010 include not only treatment of symptoms but control of the disease. This translates into routine monitoring of blood work and disease activity via endosocpy or radiology to see if there is “silent” inflamma-tion and then considering treating the disease not symptoms. It is hoped by recognizing the activity of the disease earlier will lead to more timely intervention with therapy that will prevent complications, hospitalizations, surgeries, and hopefully change the natural history of the disease.

When my son was diagnosed with IBD in 2003, our family became CCFC members. Our first ventures into volunteer-

ing included working the M&M BBQs, participating in annual Heel n’ Whee-a-Thons and doing shifts at the casinos. It is here that we initially connected with individuals faced with IBD and their fami-lies. Volunteering helped me further understand the challenges, and I no longer felt isolated and made a conscious decision to give back. My son went on to university and continued his involvement with

CCFC through the Youth Advisory Council and established university education and sports events that raised awareness and funds for CCFC. This left me back in Calgary wondering how I could contribute more. I came across a request in the CCFC newslet-ter asking for volunteers for the inaugural CCFC gala and made the call. Immediately inspired by this small group of dedicated individuals with a common goal—to further the cause to find a cure, demanded my involvement. I was especially impressed with the number of youth involved in this event which is promising for our chapter’s future. The gala was a hit with 180 attendees, a great opportunity to network with others, and raise research dollars. Subsequently, I also have been diagnosed with Crohn’s and despite the health challenges this year has brought, it has left me more determined to be involved and volunteer! This year, the gala was even more successful, attracting 230 guests, 3 speakers, great discussions and “yes” raised even more research dollars. It is very satisfying to know that the research dollars CCFC raises is going toward innovative research projects that are supported by highly skilled and dedicated medical doctors and researchers in Alberta. In summary, I give up my time to volunteer, and also understand that I have gained friendships and personal gratification that I am part of the team in finding the cure for IBD. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

sUzaNNe aRTyM • CROhN’s aNd COliTis FOUNdaTiON gala • CalgaRy ChaPTeRVOlUNTeeR PROFile

Volunteer Perspective

SUzANNE ARtyM

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our new sponsor, APD PRINTING & Design from Milton ON, for so graciously assisting us with the cost of producing this newsletter and for their support in us fINDING The cuRe.