CCFA Luncheon at Olive 8

I support the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation because my sister has dealt with the disease for over 20 years. Giving back to CCFA is an honor.  Meeting special people like Mike McCready and his lovely wife, the kids at Camp Oasis is all very rewarding. Once again I was on hand to offer my photographic skills in capturing the annual benefit luncheon.  You can view the images from the luncheon be clicking here. 

Mike McCready & Ashley O’Connor Award 2012 goes to Ghassan Wahbeh, MD

Below Ashley McCready and Barb Wodzin pose for a photo at the luncheon.

The Kennard Family get a chance to meet Mike McCready. Their yound son suffers from Crohn’s just like Mike.

McCready, Wappler and Chaplin – Support CCFA

Chrohn’s and Colitis Foundation Annual Benefit Luncheon
April 27, 2011 ~ Hyatt at Olive 8 ~ Seattle, Washington

Once again I was on hand for the annual CCFA Luncheon where a wide variety of guests told their stories and expressed their thanks to the Northwest Chapter of CCFA.  A lovely video presentation was created of images I had taken at Camp Oasis last summer – there was not a dry eye in the house!

Guest speakers included; Mike McCready of Pearl Jam (who shocked the nation when he admitted he was suffering from Chrohn’s disease several years ago); Andy Wappler whose father, weatherman Harry Wappler suffered with Chrohn’s for most of his life, with just a few confidants knowing of his illness) and Barbara Chaplin, recipient of the Mike McCready & Ashlley O’Conner Award this year.  Barbara’s story is like that of so many others – shame and fear of having a life-long illness.  Upon hearing of Lois Fink’s 5K run in support of people with IBD, she and her husband become involved with others who lived with the same illness.  She became a CCFA board member, raising funds and awareness and hasn’t stopped since!

My sister has Chrohn’s disease and that’s why I offer my time and talent to this worthwhile organization that opened so many doors for her. Learning how to live life instead of the disease living life for you is a major hurdle many of these patients can conquer. Keep up the good work!

Click here to view all the luncheon photos!

Lois Fink is joined by Andy Wappler and Barbara Chaplin

Barbara Chaplin is the recipient of the Mike McCready & Ashley O'Conner Award

Mike McCready of Pearl Jam and Andy Wappler meet for the first time.

Fun at CCFA Camp Oasis

My sister has Crohn’s disease. We are active in the local chapters and always willing to help out especially if it involves kids and photography! I took my buddy Mike with me and we spent the day with these remarkable kids  at Camp Oasis; commonly known as Camp Colman. Activities included archery, art’s & crafts, swimming & boating, and the sport of ‘gaga’!  You would not think that these kids have issues due to UC and Crohn’s; their energy levels are so high!  I have published a ‘magazine’ that can be purchased online with all proceeds going to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation here in Seattle.

Purchase your magazine here:  http://www.magcloud.com/browse/Issue/123270

 

Taking Steps for CCFA

It was a wonderful afternoon as hundreds gathered for the “Take Steps for  CCFA” annual 5k run/walk. Patients and family members along with friends raised money to help find a cure for Crohn’s and UC. My sister being a patient I donated my time to capture images of the event while she walked! Young and old crossed the finish line with happy smiles on their faces knowing they had made a difference…click here to see Vol 1.  click here to see Vol 2.

Crohn’s & Colitis Benefit Luncheon

My sister has Crohn’s disease so I feel like I share it with her. It is my privilege to once again be on hand to photograph the annual benefit luncheon. Our good friend Lois Fink along with state representative Marko Liias helped pass a bill which would give individuals with certain medical condiditons the right to use employee only restrooms if necessitated by their disease. On May 11, 2009 ESHB 1138 was signed into law. Lois received the 2010 Mike McCready & Ashley O’Connor Award.

Mike McCready of Pearl Jam took a moment to pose with Elizabeth Smith (featured speaker) and her family. Elizabeth, 11 years old, has endured Crohn’s for most of her young life yet lives a normal kids life. She plays football, soccer, swims and loves to act!

Last up was Susan Ershler who along with her husband Phil were the first couple in history to climb the fabled Seven Summits including Mt. Everest. Most remarkable is the fact the Susan had never hiked or climbed until she met Phil at age 35. And Phil, battled Crohn’s all through his life as a professional mountain guide. We thank Susan for sharing her inspirational story. Look for their book “Together on top of the World.”

To see photos of the entire event click here.

1st Annual Teen Bash 2010

They are Taryn Evans, 15 and Tiffany Jack, 17 years old.  They are the young women behind the 1st Annual Teen Bash 2010.  They will be inviting over three hundred youth/teen leaders from around the greater Seattle area to come together on January 15, 2010 for a fundraising benefit concert to expand their awareness about youth living with auto-immune diseases in their community.  The mission to expand awareness of the effect these diseases have on teens and youth is most important to us as we both experience it everyday. Tiffany has Lupus and Taryn has Crohn’s.  All net proceeds from the event will be donated to two selected local charities to contribute towards heightening the awareness of these diseases.

For more information or to donate go to:  www.teenbash.org

CCFA 2009 Luncheon

The Annual Benefit Luncheon for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation took place on March 27th at the Seattle Sheraton.On hand were guest speakers Lauren Jennerjohn who is a 6th grader with Crohn’s and Patrick Anderson, a junior in high school who spoke eloquently about the disease, the struggles and the successes.

2009 CCFA Luncheon photos here!

Take Steps for CCFA

As my sister has CCFA I always donate my time to photographing events for posterity for the local organization. Take Steps is a new program that took place Saturday June 7th at Magnuson Park in Seattle. Here are a few pics from the event. To see more click here: www.gailannphotography.com/TakeSteps08/

CCFA fights to find a cure

 

Once again I was on hand for the annual CCFA Luncheon. The goal is to raise awareness and money in the hopes of finding a cure for this challenging disease.

As usual Mike McCready of Pearl Jam was on hand. Here he is with my sister and Barry from Boston! Got tickets for the Pearl Jam concert in Boston??

More photos: 
http://www.gailannphotography.com/CCFALunch08/

San Jose 1/2 Marathon

Mom and I went to support my sister Barb in doing her first ever 1/2 Marathon in San Jose last October. Her goal from the beginning was to do it in under 4 hours. I almost missed her crossing over the finish line when she came across it in just under 3-1/2 hours! Whew!

And here’s the whole gang!

I worked so I get to write off the trip!

SeattleRocks Website by gail ann