Schreiber student honored for work with Crohn’s disease

The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America honored senior Tracy Naschek for her outstanding fundraising efforts and dedication to spreading awareness about these two chronic diseases.

Tracy knows first hand what it is like to live with Crohn’s and has learned to make the best of her situation.

She has raised almost $16,000 to help find a cure for the disease that affects her and thousands of other people.  She has also helped educate many friends and family members about what it is like to be living with Crohn’s.

Tracy was first diagnosed with Crohn’s in fifth grade, but had no understanding of what it meant.  Crohn’s is an incurable disease that causes inflammation of the digestive system.  Colitis, similar to Crohn’s, is a chronic disease that causes inflammation of the colon.  People diagnosed with these two diseases typically experience periods of worsened symptoms called “flares,” which can cause severe abdominal pain.  One in 200 Americans suffer from IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Diseases).  The CCFA raises money to help find a cure for this detrimental illness.  It helps educate families who are dealing with Crohn’s and Colitis and provides them with the resources to cope.  They also have a vast amount of support groups and events where people who are suffering with Crohn’s or Colitis can join together.

“The foundation has helped me access and learn about resources such as doctors and medicines, which was really helpful when I was first diagnosed,” said Naschek.

The foundation serves a phenomenal purpose and Tracy has helped them get one step closer to finding a cure by fundraising and spreading awareness.

On Oct. 4, the CCFA held its annual walk.  Tracy was honored as the 2015 Shining Star for the Gold Coast Long Island Take Steps Walk for the CCFA.

This will be her sixth year participating and her goal is to raise $10,000. Donations are made to CCFA.org under Team Tracy.

“Supporting the Crohn’s and Colitis foundation is so important because so many people you may not even know are living with this disease,” said Nasheck.  “The CCFA gives people the support that they need to help make having Crohn’s or Colitis a little less scary.”