Brooke Cramer — London, Ontario
Brooke is eight years old and has recently completed the last of three surgeries for ulcerative colitis, which she has had since she was five years old. Throughout her many medical struggles, she has met her
condition head-on with a true fighting spirit. Even an ostomy did not slow her down, as she continued with her exemplary academic performance, piano, swimming, Brownies and gymnastics classes.
Brooke discusses her condition openly with friends and family, making every effort to help everyone understand what exactly is happening to her. Brooke was a Top Pledge Earner in her first Heel ‘n’ Wheel-a-Thon in 2010, raising over $1,000. In 2011 Brooke became the event’s Honorary Chairperson and has since raised close to $8,000 in that and many other fundraising events. The most recent leg of her journey involved a total of seven weeks of hospital time (two surgeries) over the summer of 2011, but she has never lost that winning attitude and looks forward to continuing the fight to find a cure for Crohn’s and colitis.
Isabelle Martineau — Sherbrooke, Quebec
Diagnosed with Crohn’s at an early age, Isabelle hasn’t had an easy ride with Crohn’s disease. After many surgeries and complications, at only 32 years of age she was told she must use a feeding
tube for the rest of her life – no solid food! Despite that, she continues to bake amazing party cakes for her friends!
Her difficult battle led Isabelle to CCFC in 2006. At her first Heel ‘n’ Wheel-a-Thon, she and her husband and their two- year-old daughter Katherine kept a low profile, but in 2007, she shyly came forward to a CCFC staff member with a copy of a song she had written and recorded for Katherine. Soon after, she signed up as a CCFC volunteer with the Estrie Chapter. Today Isabelle is an active volunteer with the Estrie region, where she is a very determined fundraiser and spokesperson, and truly a great friend to all.
Line e Moores —
St.John’s, Newfoundland
Linette was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 16, and has been reasonably healthy since having surgery that same year. However in the last 15 years, her brother, mother and several cousins on
both sides of the family have also been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Linette met this family challenge head-on, pouring her energy into volunteer work directed at fi nding the cures for Crohn’s and colitis. An active CCFC volunteer since 2000, she has held several positions within the Eastern Avalon Chapter and has helped organize the Capitol Drugs PharmaChoice CCFC Charity Golf Tournament every year. Today, Linette is the Newfoundland and Labrador representative on the National Board of Directors.
T ere is no idea too big or too small for Linette to pursue. From fundraising to volunteer engagement to awareness, she leaves no stone unturned in her eff orts to promote CCFC and the need for a cure for IBD.
Heather Fegan — Halifax, Nova Scotia
Heather was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 14 years of age. Since that time she has worked tirelessly conducting radio and TV interviews, sitting on panels organized by CCFC and speaking on
behalf of young people with Crohn’s. She has been a member and Chair of the Halifax CCFC annual fundraising Gala; has coordinated and worked at M&M Meat Shops Charity BBQ Day and has promoted the National Family Dinner Night. Heather has truly been a poster girl for young people with Crohn’s.
Heather’s ongoing efforts to draw awareness to Crohn’s and colitis are encouraging and inspiring to people of any age, but she has especially helped teens and young adults feel more comfortable talking about the disease.
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