The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding the cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It was founded in 1967 by Irwin M. and Suzanne Rosenthal, William D. and Shelby Modell, and Henry D. Janowitz, M.D.
Since our founding over four decades ago, CCFA has remained at the forefront of research in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Today, we fund cutting-edge studies at major medical institutions, nurture investigators at the early stages of their careers, and finance underdeveloped areas of research. In addition, our educational workshops and programs, along with our scientific journal, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, enable medical professionals to keep pace with this rapidly growing field. We are very proud that the National Institutes of Health has commended us for “uniting the research community and strengthening IBD research.”
Crohn’s disease is an ongoing disorder that is associated with inflammation of the digestive tract, also referred to as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
It can affect any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, but is more commonly found in the end of the small bowel (ileum) and the beginning of the large intestine (colon).
The damaging inflammation resulting from Crohn’s may cause pain and may make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea and other Crohn’s disease symptoms.
Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic, or ongoing, disease that affects the colon and rectum, together known as the large intestine. The innermost lining of the large intestine becomes inflamed, and ulcers, which are tiny open sores, could form on the surface.
It’s the inflammation in the lining of the large intestine that causes the painful symptoms commonly associated with UC. Inflammation causes the large intestine to empty frequently, leading to diarrhea that — because of the ulcers — can sometimes be bloody.