Summer - Crohn`s and Colitis Canada

SUMMER 2007
FOR MEMBERS OF THE CROHN’S AND COLITIS FOUNDATION OF CANADA
TheJournal
Life in Gambia, West Africa and Haiti
DR. KEVIN W. GLASGOW,
National Executive Director
Improving the Human Condition
If you were asked, “What is your
passion?” – do you know what
you would say?
Dr. Kevin Glasgow, the newly appointed
National Executive Director of the Crohn’s
and Colitis Foundation of Canada, can
answer that question without hesitation –
he knows what his life’s mission is and has
dedicated his personal and professional
energy to that pursuit.
“My passion is to improve the
human condition and work with
others who are not content with
the status quo. It is to make a
better world.”
And he lives his passion. Dr. Glasgow
began his wide-ranging career as a family
physician, and quickly went on to become
an expert in public health, hygiene and
tropical medicine. Still a practising physician
today (he continues to practise medicine a
few days a month to keep his clinical skills
honed), he has experience as: a “fly-in”
physician for the remote aboriginal
communities of Sioux Lookout Zone in
north-western Ontario; a Vice-President of
Research and Development for a major
pharmaceutical firm; a Senior Medical
Consultant for the Ontario Ministry of
Health and Long-Term Care; CEO and
Medical Officer of Health for an Ontario
Board of Health; a field-based researcher
in West Africa; an author and co-author of
numerous scientific publications; and a
university professor/lecturer.
Just prior to joining the CCFC, Dr. Glasgow
was the CEO of the Cardiac Care Network
of Ontario. Under his leadership, the Cardiac
Care Network of Ontario reduced cardiac
wait times and has repeatedly been held up
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
M&M Meat Shops Charity BBQ Day 2007
Collaborative, creative and delicious!
Canada’s biggest and most successful
charity BBQ, just got bigger thanks to the
corporate philanthropy of M&M Meat
Shops and a superb display of teamwork
from St. John’s to Vancouver Island.
A year of planning and many months of
laying the groundwork for media coverage
reaped better-than-ever-results in 2007.
There was a profusion of coverage in small
and mid-sized communities, along with
kick-offs at major city centres. Media
attention just prior to May 12th
announced, “Let the barbequing begin!”
Shortly after sunrise on May 12th, over
430 franchisees and volunteers sprung into
action! Creativity was in evidence as all
manner of marketing techniques were used
Mac Voisin and Randy Sabourin
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
page 3
Message from
the National
Executive Director
page 6
Grants in Aid of
Reasearch and
Legacy Grants 2007
page 7
Visiting
Scientist
Award 2006
page 14
The Heart of
SuperGala
page 16
Heel ‘n’ Wheela-Thon Keeps
on Rolling!
MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT
The Journal
Welcome Dr. Kevin W. Glasgow
The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation
of Canada (CCFC) is a voluntary
not-for-profit research Foundation.
Its mission is to find the cure for
inflammatory bowel disease.
I am very happy to announce that the
National Board of the Crohn’s and Colitis
Foundation of Canada has unanimously
approved the appointment of Dr. Kevin
Glasgow as our National Executive Director.
Dr. Glasgow has just taken over the helm
of the CCFC, having commenced his duties
on June 25th. As you will see from the
feature article in this issue, Dr. Glasgow
brings a wealth of experience in leadership,
academia, research, clinical service and
volunteerism.We feel extremely fortunate
to have someone of Dr. Glasgow’s calibre
joining our organization and look forward
to working with him to build upon the
strengths established by his predecessor,
Michael J. Howorth.
Please join me in warmly welcoming
Dr. Glasgow to the Crohn’s and Colitis
Foundation of Canada!
The publication of articles in The
Journal does not constitute an
endorsement by the CCFC of any
research, treatment, therapy or
product. Patients should discuss
their individual circumstances with
their physicians.
We obtain permission from other
sources to reproduce certain items
in The Journal. Therefore, the
contents of The Journal may not be
Randy Sabourin
National President
reproduced or distributed in whole
or in part without the prior written
permission of the editor.
The Journal is published by
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
The Crohn’s and Colitis
M&M Meat Shops Charity BBQ Day 2007
Foundation of Canada
600 – 60 St. Clair Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M4T 1N5
1 (800) 387-1479
email: ccfc@ccfc.ca
website: www.ccfc.ca
National President
Randy Sabourin
National Executive Director
to entice Canadians to lunch under the
distinctive M&M Charity BBQ Day tents.
Bounce tents were purchased; hockey stars
and celebrities were invited, along with
friendly, furry mascots in order to enhance
the fun-factor on this special day.
Mac Voisin.We also want to sincerely thank
M&M Meat shops’ generous suppliers,
including Maple Leaf Foods, Humpty
Dumpty, Frito Lay and Associated Brands,
who continue to support and donate their
products for this event.
Weather varied from perfect to challenging
but through wind and some rain our
fabulous sponsors reached their goal, with
over $1.91 million raised. The grand total
in the nineteen years Charity BBQ Day has
been held - a whopping $14.4 million to
fund inflammatory bowel research.
M&M Meat Shops’ commitment to
the CCFC’s mission, combined with a
corporate culture of excellence and an
amazing contingent of volunteers is indeed
a fundraiser’s “dream team”.The cure –
here we come!
Dr. Kevin W. Glasgow, MD
Editor
Bette Hodgins
Canada Post –
Canadian Publications Mail
Product Sales Agreement:
How fortunate we are to have the support
of M&M Meat shops and their fearless
leader and founder, the friendly and upbeat,
2
The Journal SUMMER 2007
40069799
ISSN 1197-4982
MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Together we can change the world
for funding support. It means conveying scientific and medical
information in easy-to-understand terms to which patients,
families, government, industry and other stakeholders can directly
relate.The more supporters understand the world of science and
medicine, and the more that scientists and health professionals
understand the world of charitable foundations, the better the
CCFC will be positioned to advance our Mission.
Dr. Glasgow with CCFC staff
Dear Friends:
As your new National Executive Director, I’m eager to start
working with you – the CCFC members, volunteers, donors,
sponsors, and researchers in our quest to find the cure for
inflammatory bowel disease. As a researcher myself, I am
excited to be affiliated with the IBD Research Institute, but it
is equally a privilege to be affiliated with people who work so
hard to raise funds and elevate IBD awareness. It is the ongoing
support of sponsors and donors that serve as the basis upon
which the research activities of the CCFC depend. As a fellow
volunteer with non-profit organizations (including holding that
tin cup out for donations on the street corner!), I know what a
substantial commitment it is in terms of time and effort.
I wish to thank the pan-national Board of Directors of the
CCFC for the opportunity to serve as the National Executive
Director.Today the CCFC is the leading funder of IBD research
in Canada and one of the top funders in the world. I look
forward to building on this legacy, which was created by you
and my predecessor, Michael J. Howorth.
My connection to IBD is a personal one. One of my roommates
during medical training years had ulcerative colitis and several of
my friends and neighbours have Crohn’s or colitis. As a clinician,
I also see patients and families affected by IBD - I don’t need to
tell you that chronic abdominal pain and diarrhea are no fun.
In addition, I have known some of the CCFC’s hard-working
volunteers over the years and admired their dedication to the
Mission. I am also impressed by the calibre of researchers and
research supported by the Foundation.
In order to continue growing the research pie, it is essential
that CCFC donors, corporate sponsors, volunteers, and staff
understand the value of the research that they are supporting.
This means strengthening the bridge of understanding between
the scientific community and the lay public upon whom we rely
I have personally witnessed the power of medical charitable
foundations. In the 1990s, I was a volunteer researcher in
Gambia, West Africa, affiliated with the London School of
Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the British Medical
Research Council. I worked as a field site coordinator in the
Azithromycin for Control of Trachoma (ACT) Study.
Trachoma is the world’s leading cause of preventable blindness,
particularly common in the developing world where clean water
is scarce. It is a disease that can be potentially eradicated with
community use of certain antibiotics, including azithromycin.
A major portion of our research was funded by the U.S.-based
Edna McConnell Clark Foundation.Thanks to the support of this
foundation and others, we were able to demonstrate that trachoma
could be eradicated in communities comprehensively treated
with azithromycin. As a result, the pharmaceutical company
that manufactures the antibiotic agreed to donate the drug for
community eradication programs in the developing world.Today,
trachoma is declining in prevalence in countries participating in
the International Trachoma Initiative… thanks in a major way
to research funded by a medical charitable foundation.
The CCFC, with your support, has the potential to change the
world too.
Before I sign off, I wish to thank Karen Mazer for her
contributions as Interim Executive Director over the past year –
a very challenging year given the untimely death of Michael
Howorth.There are big shoes to fill in this organization, and I
can only fill them with your help.
Thank you in advance for striving with me to “find the cure”.
Together we will get there. It will be an honour to work with
you, strengthen the science-public bridge, and serve people and
families affected by IBD.
Kevin W. Glasgow, MD
National Executive Director
SUMMER 2007 The Journal
3
Taking the Crohn’s and Colitis
Foundation of Canada to the Next Level
An Interview with Randy Sabourin,
CCFC National President
Last November the National Board of
the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of
Canada (CCFC) faced an unexpected
challenge, with the passing of National
Q: How did the organization cope
with the loss of Michael?
A: It’s been a very challenging year,
incredible really, full of ups and downs.
The down is obvious of course, with the
loss of Michael, but the ups have really
been the staff, who have worked so hard
in spite of their loss and the volunteers
who have kept so focused on raising
money during this time. I would really
like to thank everyone for their efforts
and their support during this tough time.
Q: Can you tell us about the search
process for the new National
Executive Director?
A: The Board decided to use the services
of a nationally recognized recruitment
firm to undertake a comprehensive
process that would ensure we hired the
absolute best person as our National
Executive Director (NED).
Part of the process included establishing
a profile of what we wanted to see in
the successful candidate. To do that,
the firm interviewed a wide variety of
people including Board members, staff,
researchers, volunteers, sponsors and
Executive Director, Michael J. Howorth.
Michael had been a strong leader, a
visionary and a beloved member of
the organization for 12 years.
Recovering from Michael’s loss was a
major undertaking and began with a
countrywide recruitment for a new
National Executive Director.
The Editor of the Journal interviewed
Randy Sabourin, President of the CCFC,
about that process and the Board’s
thoughts around the skills they sought
in the CCFC’s new leader.
other donors. The Board felt it was
critical to get input from a large crosssection of stakeholders.
something meaningful to people who are
out there working so hard to raise money
for the cause.
As a result of all their comments, we built
a profile of professional and interpersonal
skills that we felt would best serve the
vision of the CCFC for both the short
and long-term.
We also wanted someone who is very
much a “people person”. Someone who
could establish strong relationships built
on trust and mutual respect and at the
same time, make the hard decisions too.
Q: What skill set were you looking for
in the National Executive Director?
Finally, we wanted someone who had
equal strengths at both the strategic and
operational level.We were looking for
someone who could help us plan, and
then take us to the “next step” by
developing our current programs and
implementing new ones.
A: A major strategic direction for the
CCFC in the next five years is leveraging
the research successes that we have had
so far and managing the next steps that
will take us even closer to finding the
cure.Thus, we wanted the new person to
have the background and experience that
would support and propel that research
even further.The Michael J. Howorth
GEM Project will be front and centre
in that endeavour.
In addition to that, the successful
candidate had to be able to take the
results of research and articulate them into
rallying messages for our volunteers and
sponsors. Research is a complex, highly
technical field and we needed someone
who could “translate” those results into
After an exhaustive 6-month search, I am
pleased to announce that the Board
unanimously endorsed the appointment
of Dr. Kevin Glasgow, a physician and an
experienced administrator, as our new
National Executive Director.
Kevin commenced his duties on June 25th.
With his extensive experience in the
not-for profit and charity sector, the
Board is confident that Kevin will be able
to take the CCFC to the next level and
build upon the strong foundations that
Michael J. Howorth had established.
Randy Sabourin:
In his corporate life, Randy Sabourin is the President of Biz Improv. As a dedicated volunteer, he has been the National
President of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada for the past year and a half.
Randy has been a Board member for over 7 years. He first started his association with the CCFC over twenty years ago, when
he organized the Electronics Industry’s Hockey Tournament fundraiser for IBD research. As a person afflicted with IBD, Randy
understands the urgency of “Finding the Cure” at a gut level.
4
The Journal SUMMER 2007
UCB Pharma Canada
Launches National
Scholarship Programs
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Improving the Human Condition
Attaining an education is an
invaluable asset for most Canadians,
but one that is hard enough to obtain
without dealing with a chronic illness.
With the objective of making
education an achievable goal for
these students, UCB Pharma Canada
is sponsoring the 2007 UCBeyond
Crohn's Disease and Rheumatoid
Arthritis Scholarship Programs.
The UCBeyond
Scholarship
Program will
award six (6),
one-time
scholarships of
up to $5,000 CDN each to people
diagnosed with Crohn's disease and
six (6), one-time scholarships of up to
$5,000 CDN each to people diagnosed
with rheumatoid arthritis. The winners
must demonstrate academic ambition
and will use their scholarship towards
any post-secondary education of their
choice (i.e. university, college, trade
school, etc.) for the 2007/08 school
year. Winners will be announced in
August 2007.
Other proud supporters of the
UCBeyond Scholarship Programs
include: The Arthritis Society (TAS),
the Canadian Rheumatology
Association (CRA), the Canadian
Association of Gastroenterology
(CAG) and the Canadian Society of
Gastroenterology Nurses and
Associates (CSGNA).
Banjul, Gambia
as a model for the successful development and implementation of strategies that
optimize the use of finite resources.
Dr. Glasgow is committed to ongoing education of himself and others. He derives
great satisfaction from mentoring and developing students, staff, and volunteers; in
turn, he also learns a great deal. In addition to graduating with honours from the
University of Western Ontario as an MD, he has earned degrees from the University
of Toronto (Master of Health Science) and Harvard University (Master in Business
Administration). He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of
Canada, College of Family Physicians of Canada, American College of Preventive
Medicine, and American College of Healthcare Executives.
Dr. Glasgow also pursues his life’s passion as a volunteer. He understands first-hand
what it is like to be a volunteer and appreciates the dedication and support of
people who donate their time and money to a worthy cause. His interest in
volunteerism has inspired him to work with Habitat for Humanity Toronto,
MedOutreach in Haiti, the Association of Local Public Health Agencies, various
committees of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Rotary International.
It might be tempting to think that an individual who has accomplished so much has
not had time to enjoy a personal life. Not true. Dr. Glasgow loves to garden, having
grown up in rural south-western Ontario, and (to use his own words) is a “modest”
tennis and squash player and a “poor” golfer. He and his wife, a public health dentist,
love to travel; with family and friends scattered all over the world, they are assured of
a comfortable bed and breakfast in many different places!
What is in store as Dr. Glasgow assumes his new role as the CCFC National Executive
Director? Having commenced his duties on June 25th, Dr. Glasgow plans to take the
first 100 days to get to know the organization - the people and partners who make
the CCFC such a dynamic force. He feels a profound gratitude to Michael J.
Howorth, the previous National Executive Director, for leaving a strong legacy and
pledges to continue to evolve the CCFC in the ongoing Mission to “Find the Cure.”
How would you sum up the new CCFC National Executive Director,
Dr. Kevin Glasgow? The man is complex but the answer is simple dedication, passion and drive.
For those who suffer from IBD, and for those who have loved ones who are
afflicted, the future is looking brighter and better as the CCFC and its partners
accelerate forward in pursuit of the Mission. Finding the cure is within reach.
SUMMER 2007 The Journal
5
Grants in Aid of Research
and Legacy Grants 2007
GRANTS REVIEW
COMMITTEE 2007
The Grants Review Committee met in March of 2007.
Congratulations to the 2007 Grant in Aid of Research
recipients and the awardees for Legacy Grants.
NAME
TITLE OF RESEARCH
Ahmad, Ali
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire,
Ste-Justine Hôpital
Role of NK receptors and their ligands in the
immunopathogenesis of Crohn’s disease
M&M Meat Shops Grant in Aid of Research (Legacy Grant)
Boudreau, François
Université de Sherbrooke
Role of transcriptional effectors of the TGFB superfamily
during intestinal inflammatory response
Buret, Andre G.
University of Calgary
Disruptions of epithelial integrity in the pathogenesis of IBD:
The effects of C. jejuni.
Chadee, Kris
University of Calgary
Role of prostaglandin E(2) in modulating epithelial barrier
function
De Buck, Jeroen Marc Daniel
University of Calgary
Proteomic identification of human and animal Mycobacterium
avium subsp. paratuberculosis strains by mass spectrometry
Faure, Christophe
Sainte-Justine Hôpital
Regulation and role of PSA-NCAM in enteric nervous system
in TNBS-induced colitis
Fedorak, Richard
University of Alberta
NMR metabolomic analysis to identify IBD and the microbegenotype relationship
Girardin, Stephen
University of Toronto
New insights into the detection of peptidoglycan by
Nod2/CARD15: implications for Crohn’s disease
Jacobson, Kevan
BC’s Children’s Hospital
Intestinal barrier responses, neuropeptides and IBD
Krause, Denis
University of Manitoba
Role of Bacteroides spp. and Escherichia coli in inflammatory
bowel disease
Macpherson, Andrew James
McMaster University
Mechanisms of normal intestinal lamina propria CD4 responses
that ensure mutualism with commensal intestinal bacteria
McLeod, Robin
Mount Sinai Hospital
Post-operative recurrence in paediatric Crohn’s disease:
Influence of molecular factors
Ropeleski, Mark
Queen’s University
Intestinal epithelial anti-apoptotic signalling and healing:
Novel roles for IL-11 in inflammation
Saleh, Maya
McGill University
Caspase-12, Crohn’s disease and the inflammasome
Sherman, Philip
Hospital for Sick Children
Role of probiotics in the management of experimental
inflammatory bowel diseases
Fay Shapiro Cutler Grant in Aid of Research (Legacy Grant)
Siminovitch, Katherine
Mt Sinai Hospital
Characterization of susceptibility genes/molecules for
inflammatory bowel disease
Vallance, Bruce
University of British Columbia
Goblet cell mediators and their impact on mucosal protection
and susceptibility to colitis
Vanner, Stephen
Queen’s University
Novel pain mechanisms in IBD
Dr. Keith Sharkey
University of Calgary
Wallace, John
University of Calgary
Resolution of colitis: A Translational Study
Dr. Andrew Stadnyk
Dalhousie University
6
The Journal SUMMER 2007
Back Row left to right: Dr’s. Asselin,
Blennerhassett, Dieleman, Beck, Stadnyk,
Lomax, Croitoru, Beaulieu, Greenberg, Steiner
Front row left to right: Dr’s. Madsen, Steinhart
Missing: Dr’s. Marshall, Sharkey
The CCFC would like to extend its sincere
thanks to the members of the Grants
Review Committee. All of the members
have volunteered their time and expertise,
to review the many grant applications and
offer their advice on research awards.
This year’s members include:
Chair:
Dr. Hillary Steinhart
Mount Sinai Hospital
Scientific Officer:
Dr. Karen Madsen
University of Alberta
Members:
Dr. Claude Asselin
Université de Sherbrooke
Dr. Jean-Francois Beaulieu
Université de Sherbrooke
Dr. Paul Beck
University of Calgary
Dr. Michael Blennerhassett
Queen’s University
Dr. Ken Croitoru
McMaster University
Dr. Leo Dieleman
University of Alberta
Dr. Gordon Greenberg
Mount Sinai Hospital
Dr. Alan Lomax
Hotel Dieu Hospital
Dr. John Marshall
McMaster University
Dr. Theodore Steiner
University of British Columbia
Visiting Scientist Award 2006
The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of
Canada is pleased to have awarded the
“Visiting Scientist” grant to Dr. Martin
Storr in 2006.
The CCFC Visiting Scientist program is
designed to allow Canadian institutions
to bring in international scientists with
expertise not currently available within the
institution, and to allow Canadian scientists
to visit major international research centres
in order to acquire knowledge or new
techniques related to IBD research.
This program provides an exciting
opportunity for the exchange of knowledge
amongst world leaders in IBD research.
Dr Storr has just completed his one-year
experience in Canada, along with his
wife and three children. This is his report.
Dr. Sharkey and Dr. Storr
Visiting Scientist at the University of Calgary
By: Dr. Martin Storr
Left to right: Dr. Storr, wife Constance, Leopold, Cosima and Charlotte
When my family and I left Munich,
Germany for a one-year research
experience in Canada, we left with no
anticipation on how this would change
our lives. And that meant both our
personal lives and our work lives.
We spent a lot of time thinking how
Leopold, our oldest, would manage to
start Grade one without even knowing a
single word in English. I can tell you kids are amazing; he started speaking in
English after 2 weeks, started reading after
4 weeks, corrected my pronunciation after
6 weeks and got a remarkable number of
5’s in his spring report!
Cosima, our middle one, picked up her
English in the various playgroups she
joined; Charlotte, who is now 17 months, is
the only one who does not speak at all. Due
to renting into a young neighbourhood in
Calgary, our kids made friends very quickly
and my wife Constance was busy taxiing
them around to all their appointments.
While staying in Calgary we used the
weekends intensively to explore the city
and the nearby landscape, with all their
major attractions. Due to the awesome
weather in Calgary, there wasn’t a single
weekend we could not use.Thus the list
of things we saw was amazing, including
all the major Alberta attractions like the
Rockies with Lake Louise, Moraine Lake,
Kananaskis and Banff, where we spent
beautiful days hiking and observing. Of
course, the kids were more impressed
by Drumheller and the Royal Tyrrell
Dinosaur Museum, the Dinosaur National
Park and the Hoodoos - attractions where
you could spend days discovering new
things. As known worldwide, the Canadian
Rockies have brilliant downhill ski resorts
and we got an impression of what is meant
by powder-snow.
But it wasn’t all about leisure. My host,
Prof. Keith Sharkey (University of
Calgary) and I worked on many new ideas
that enhanced our understanding of IBD.
Our 1-year outcome is remarkable and
resulted in many findings, some of which
we presented at the American Digestive
Disease Week in the middle of May.These
findings relate to the beneficial actions of
cannabinoids in the treatment of IBD.
Due to the fantastic research environment
in Calgary and the diligent technicians, we
managed to do many more experiments
than we initially planned, making this a
valuable time for everyone involved.
It was the right thing to come to Calgary
for both private and professional reasons.
I would like to thank the Crohn’s and
Colitis Foundation of Canada for their
funding of the Visiting Scientist award.
SUMMER 2007 The Journal
7
FUNDRAISING NEWS
FALL FUNDRAISERS!
The Fall Fundraiser campaign is in full swing as each Chapter is organizing a
customized fundraising event for their community. Some of this year’s events include
‘Let’s do Brunch’, an all-you-can-eat ‘Pasta Night for the Cure’, silent auctions,
jewellery and R&R basket raffles, skating events and Antiques Road Show-style events
where precious artifacts can be appraised.
One not-to-be-missed event this fall is the ‘All that Glitters Gala - A Night in New
Orleans!” Taking place in Halifax, this is the first Gala in Eastern Canada for the
Foundation. The evening will showcase lively jazz entertainment, New Orleans cuisine
and a silent auction. Definitely a ‘must see’ event!
If Halifax is a little too far east for you, you can always attend the ‘All that Glitters
Gala: Up close and Personal with Gregory Charles’ in Montreal. As it will be their 6th
annual event, it is sure to be a full house. The evening will consist of a cocktail dinner,
silent auction, and an Air Canada draw for two and much more.
This year’s exciting and mouth-watering fall fundraiser events take place between
October and December. Attend one – or even better, attend all the events in your
region and help our Foundation in its fight to find the cure! Volunteers are always
needed, so if you have some time and would like to help, visit our website and
indicate your interest in becoming a volunteer through our online ‘Get Involved’ form.
BRUNCH AT HOME – If you’d like to help raise funds towards research
into Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, but do not want to formally
‘volunteer’, the ‘Brunch at Home’ program is for you. You can turn any
social gathering into an easy and enjoyable Fall Fundraiser by simply
building it into your existing social commitments. A printable kit with all
the details is available on the CCFC website. Just visit the Fall Fundraiser
section under Events on our website for more information!
Best of luck to all Chapters and Affiliates running
Fall Fundraisers this year!
8
The Journal SUMMER 2007
NewsWire
Photo essay courtesy of Sarah Johnson,
“Mac and me Photography”
IBD and Women
A study presented at the 71st Annual
meeting of the American College of
Gastroenterology revealed that women
with inflammatory bowel disease face
more severe compromises in their work
and home activities than men.The
American research team, headed by
Dr. Russell Cohen, MD, measured the
quality of life experienced by 100 people,
using a tool called the “University of
Chicago Indirect Cost Scale (ICS).
They found that IBD was more likely
to affect women’s career choices,
locations, work attendance and
opportunities for work advancement.
Women with IBD were also more likely
to be on disability and require
assistance with childcare and basic
household activities.
The researchers concluded that the
relationship of gender and IBD should be
included in future studies that attempt to
determine the full impact of this disease.
The Psychological Toll
of Ulcerative Colitis
A nationwide survey conducted in the
United States shows that patients with
ulcerative colitis (UC) suffer a heavy
psychological toll – heavier even than
that experienced by people with asthma,
rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and chronic
migraines. In fact, 62% of those surveyed
reported feeling occasionally or
continuously depressed as opposed to 49%
of migraine patients, 52% of RA patients
and 25% of asthmatic patients.
The survey revealed that people with UC
sometimes “normalize” their symptoms
and pain. In other words, they resign
themselves to their disease, succumbing to
the belief that nothing can be done to
make them feel better. As a result, some
people with UC do not report flare-ups
to their doctor while others do not
comply with their medication regimes.
The resulting decrease in disease control
and communication with physicians can
result in a worsening of the condition.
People with IBD need to be aware of
their emotional state and stay in touch
with physicians for optimal management
of their disease.This is a long-term
commitment that requires nurturing of
the mind, the body and the soul.
Smoking and
Crohn’s Disease
A study in the American Journal of
Gastroenterology suggests that people who
smoke and have Crohn’s disease (CD)
tend to have manifestations of the disease
more frequently in the small intestine than
in the colon.When symptoms of CD
appear in the small intestine, the damage
can be more severe and may lead to
treatment requiring surgery.The work of
the researchers has led to interesting
questions about the relationship between
smoking and its effects on different parts
of the intestine.They speculate that
differences in the physiology between the
small and large bowel may explain some
of the results; more research is required to
understand why this occurs.
Sarah Johnson combines her passion for photography with
a background in community health to produce powerful images.
She aims to bring awareness about chronic diseases and their
impact on daily life. She owns and operates a photography
business on Vancouver Island, where she lives with her husband,
2 young daughters and her mother who has suffered with Crohn’s
disease for over 35 years.
SUMMER 2007 The Journal
9
CCFC-FUNDED RESEARCH
ProgressReports
The Role of Fas and Fas Ligand in intestinal inflammation
The role of turning on and off the
immune system is critical in regulating
intestinal inflammation and intestinal
homeostasis. One of the ways cells control
the immune response is to kill the cells via
programmed cell death or apoptosis. For
example when there is inflammation in the
intestines, inflammatory cells are recruited
into the intestinal mucosa.These cells
play a critical role in both upregulation of
the inflammatory response, recovery from
inflammation (the resolution phase) and
returning the bowel to a normal structure
and function (cell differentiation phase).
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Paul Beck,
University of Calgary, Alberta
Funding Period: 2005- 2008
Grant in Aid of Research
Submitted by Dr. Beck
In the normal setting, cells that are
proinflammatory help clear the area
of invading organisms and contain the
inflammation. As this phase resolves the
cells are killed off by apoptosis allowing
the immune response to calm down and
allowing for the resolution phase.There is
evidence that the inflammatory cells in
IBD do not respond normally to triggers of
apoptosis; this can prolong the inflammation.
One of the major pathways involved in
apoptosis involve Fas and Fas ligand.These
molecules kill off cells and also play other
roles in the inflammatory response.
Novel pain Mechanisms
in IBD
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Stephen Vanner
Queen’s University, Kingston, Ont
Funding Period: 2007 – 2010
Grant in Aid of Research
Submitted by Dr. Vanner
10
The Journal SUMMER 2007
Interestingly, it appears that Remicade or
infliximab acts to kill off some of these
proinflammatory cells and this may be a
main mechanism by which inflammation
is decreased in ulcerative colitis and
Crohn’s disease.
Our studies are looking at the role of Fas
and Fas ligand in both humans and animals
with IBD and have found that there are
changes in expression of these molecules.
We have explored this further by assessing
models of IBD in animals that are deficient
in Fas or Fas ligand.We have also tried to
address the role of specific cells expressing
Fas or Fas ligand in IBD by performing
bone marrow transplants in these animal
models.We hope that further understanding
of the role of these molecules as well as
the events of cell death in IBD may help
understand the pathogenesis of the disease.
Furthermore our bone marrow transplant
studies may help to provide the groundwork
for finding the cure. For example, if a gene
mutation associated with IBD affects the
inflammatory cells then potentially patients
could be transplanted with bone marrow
free of this gene mutation.
Abdominal pain is a major cause of
morbidity for patients who suffer from
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and can
severely limit their quality of life. Current
treatment of pain is largely limited to the
use of narcotics such as morphine, which
have non-specific actions throughout the
body, including cognitive impairment,
drowsiness, decreased energy levels, nausea
and vomiting.
The long-term goal of my research
program is to identify new mechanisms
CCFC-funded research is a regular feature in The Journal. Readers will hear about the most current Canadian research
as CCFC-funded researchers report on their activities and latest findings.
NGF-sensitive neurons in the pathogenesis of IBD
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Michael Blennerhassett
Queen’s University, Kingston, Ont
Funding Period: 2005–2008
Grant in Aid of Research
Submitted by: Dr. Blennerhassett
involved in the generation of inflammatory
pain in IBD which might provide selective
targets for new pharmacological treatments.
In the past year my laboratory focused
on a specific sodium channel involved in
the generation of action potentials, the
principal means by which pain sensing
nerves signal to the brain. Our research
using nerve-recording techniques has
shown that these channels have increased
activity during inflammation.We have now
used sophisticated molecular techniques to
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a
complex network of nerve cells (neurons)
in the wall of the intestine.While these
neurons regulate all the functions of the
intestine, and are known to be a target of
inflammation in IBD, very little is known
about the factors that maintain and repair
the ENS. Elsewhere in the body, proteins
called neurotrophins promote the survival
of neurons, and are particularly important
in development and in repair.We have
pursued the idea that one of the most
prominent neurotrophins, nerve growth
factor (NGF), is important in the
intestine, and CCFC support has allowed
us to make substantial progress.
First, we identified the presence of
receptors for NGF on more than half of all
neurons in the ENS and showed that they
are indeed activated by the addition of
NGF (Lin et al, J Comp Neurol. 2005.
490:194).This publication established the
basis for a mechanism of action of NGF in
the intestine, and led us to the next study,
where we looked at the effect of colitis on
these neurons. Since we found that NGFsensitive neurons were more likely to be
lost than NGF-independent ones, we
determine whether this increased activity
is due to an increased production of these
channels by the nerve cell or modifications
of the existing channels.These data show
that production of numbers of channels is
not increased, suggesting that the existing
channels are being modified to enable
them to increase their activity. Further
studies will examine how this may occur.
We have also collaborated with other
groups to clarify the role of another group
of channels involved in inflammation,
think that an adequate supply of NGF
to intestinal neurons may be needed for
survival in the face of inflammatory
challenge.This made sense, since we were
finding at the same time that the recovery
from colitis involves the regrowth of nerve
endings, a process that elsewhere in the
body is known to be strongly dependent
on neurotrophins (Lourenssen et al., AJP
2005, Marlow and Blennerhassett, 2006).
Clearly, it is important to know the source
of NGF in the intestine and the regulation
of its production during inflammation.
Our studies here are surprising, as we
find that inflammation actually increases
the amount and availability of NGF,
despite showing the loss of NGF-sensitive
neurons in colitis. Is the amount of NGF
inadequate to keep the damaged neurons
alive during inflammation?
This question and the possibility that
other factors are involved in determining
the effect of neurotrophins on the ENS in
colitis are the subject of our continuing
studies.These have the ultimate goal of
finding ways to help preserve intestinal
neurons in the inflamed intestine, and so
limit the effects of IBD.
the TRP or transient receptor potential
receptors.These studies showed how
these channels can be sensitized by
inflammatory mediators and then
activation of the nerves by mechanical or
chemical stimulation in the gut leads to
increased pain expression.These studies
also clarified the mechanisms by which
this sensitization occurs and thereby
provides numerous potential new targets
which might modulate pain expression.
SUMMER 2007 The Journal
11
DR. REMO PANACCIONE
DearDoctor
Dear Doctor is a regular
feature in The Journal.
If you have any questions concerning
IBD, please forward your letter to:
Dear Doctor, CCFC Journal
600 – 60 St. Clair Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario M4T 1N5
or Fax: 416 929-0364
or email us at: ccfc@ccfc.ca
Could canker sores
be related to colitis?
Q: I was diagnosed with colitis about
a year and a half ago. In the last
three months I have not been able
to rid myself of canker sores in my
mouth – could they be related to the
colitis? I have read that people with
my condition can be deficient in iron
and the B vitamins, and this could
cause cankers.
I take a multi-vitamin everyday to try
and avoid these deficiencies. I also
have a job that is intermittently very
stressful, but even when my stress
levels subside, I have the cankers.
Topical steroids applied
directly to the lesions are
very effective and have
minimal side effects.
If you suffer from IBD, the other causes of
cankers have been ruled out and vitamin
deficiencies have been treated, the next step
should be the use of local therapy to the
lesions themselves.Topical steroids applied
directly to the lesions are very effective
and have minimal side effects. Proper
oral hygiene with routine dental care,
which includes an anti-septic mouthwash,
can also help. If this does not help, then
I usually recommend re-evaluation
and more aggressive treatment of the
underlying inflammatory bowel disease.
Do you have any suggestions?
A: Canker sores or apthous ulcers are
common in people who suffer from
inflammatory bowel disease and may
occur in approximately 20% of patients
with a known diagnosis of Crohn’s or
ulcerative colitis. In the absence of other
causes (see below) recurrent apthous ulcers
may be a sign that the inflammatory bowel
disease is not under optimal control.
Other causes of recurrent apthous
stomatitis include stress, foods (citrus fruits,
acidic foods, chocolate), oral trauma and
the vitamin deficiencies (Vit. B complex
and iron) that you have described.The
vitamin deficiencies necessary to cause
these problems are rare but can occur in
patients with inflammatory bowel disease
and should be ruled out.
In general, apthous ulcers which occur
as part of the spectrum of inflammatory
bowel disease come up in crops as
opposed to those due to other causes
which occur only a few at a time.
12
The Journal SUMMER 2007
What are biological
therapies?
Q: What are biological therapies?
What do they do for people with
Crohn’s Disease?
A: Biological therapy refers to the use of
medication that is tailored to specifically
target an immune or genetic mediator
of disease. Even for diseases of unknown
cause, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative
colitis, molecules that are involved in the
disease process have been identified, and
can be targeted for biological therapy.
Biological therapy refers to therapy
that is produced using techniques of
bioengineering.These drugs are usually
directed against known targets or pathways
which are believed to be important in
either causing inflammation or enhancing
the ability of the body to dampen the
These drugs have all been
shown to be very important
in their ability to inhibit the
effects of TNF alpha and
therefore reduce the signs
and symptoms of Crohn’s
disease and ulcerative colitis.
inflammatory response or improve
healing. Examples of drugs which are
considered biological therapy in Crohn’s
disease include infliximab (Remicade®),
adalimumab (Humira®) and certolizumab
(Cimzia®) all of which are targeted against
tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha),
a molecule in the body which is believed
to be important in the development and
propagation of inflammation.
These drugs have all been shown to be
very important in their ability to inhibit
the effects of TNF alpha and therefore
reduce the signs and symptoms of Crohn’s
disease and ulcerative colitis.They are
considered to be the most significant
advances in the therapy of inflammatory
bowel disease in the last decade.
Can mangosteen
help with all
ailments, including
Crohn’s?
Q: Have you ever heard of Xango
(mangosteen)? I heard that this
helps with all ailments, including
Crohn’s. I am currently taking
Purinethol and wondered if it is OK
to take mangosteen while taking
this medication
A: The mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana)
is a tropical evergreen tree, believed to
have originated in the Sunda Islands and
the Moluccas (southeast Asia).The tree
grows from 7 to 25 meters tall.The rind
of the edible fruit is deep reddish purple
when ripe. Despite the name, this fruit is
not related to the mango.
Since 2004, mangosteen has been
included among an emerging category
of novel functional foods sometimes
called "superfruits", presumed to have a
combination of 1) appealing subjective
characteristics, such as taste, fragrance
and visual qualities, 2) nutrient richness,
3) antioxidant strength and 4) potential
impact for lowering risk against human
diseases.The mangosteen is touted for its
antioxidants, especially xanthones. Like
many other plants, extracts of mangosteen
have shown in lab tests that they can stop
the growth of certain bacteria and fungi.
However, there are no published clinical
trials showing evidence that either the fruit
or its juice — marketed under the name
Xango juice — is an effective treatment
for Crohn’s, arthritis, cancer or any other
disorder in humans.We can conclude then
that mangosteen has many uses in folk
medicine, and as such, it can join a fairly
long list of plants that can be considered as
promising sources of new medicines.
be developed or tested in an orderly way.
The techniques of network marketing,
honed through decades of trial and error,
are used to position all sorts of products
as the latest "miracle cures".
In addition, many of these products are
very pricey. Marketers of these products
succeed in selling products at high prices
because people suffering from medical
conditions for which there does not
appear to be much hope, or for which
the orthodox medical recommendations
are too toxic or expensive, will actively
seek alternatives.
During these vulnerable times, if someone
they know and trust (perhaps a friend
or neighbor), convinces them to give
some new product a try, they will do so.
Products such as mangosteen exploit
humanity's understandable desire to
discover simple and painless solutions to
intractable problems. However, there is no
evidence that the fruit or its juice has any
medical benefit for inflammatory bowel
disease or any other medical condition.
In this age of frenzied
commercialism, entrepreneurs
are always on the lookout for
ways to make it big in the
natural medicines market.
In this age of frenzied commercialism,
entrepreneurs are always on the lookout
for ways to make it big in the natural
medicines market. Under such conditions,
new medicines of botanical origin cannot
SUMMER 2007 The Journal
13
FUNDRAISING NEWS
The “Heart” of SuperGala
For a second year, the tally for SuperGala
proceeds has landed in the neighbourhood
of $3 million dollars. With half of that
going to the CCFC, the mission to find
the cure continues to be fuelled by
SuperGala success.Thanks to the Grocery
Industry Foundation (GIF), this totals an
incredible $14.5 million for inflammatory
bowel research over the history of the
partnership between GIF and the Crohn’s
and Colitis Foundation of Canada.
Top: The fabulous Beach Boys
Bottom: SuperGala Co-chairs
Simon Zucker and Don Crombie
Our thanks to
the SuperGala
committee!
Co-chairs Simon Zucker (Simon Zucker
& Associates), Don Crombie
(Advantage Crombie Kennedy
Nasmark Inc.); Committee members
Michael Burrows David Houlden,
Dan Shapiro, John Tavolieri (Loblaw
Companies); Anthony Longo (Longo
Brothers Fruit Markets); James Petrozzi
(M&M Meat Shops); Don Lebovitz
(Promotivate International); Ken Keelor
and Duncan Reith (Sobeys); Domenic
Calce and Paul Del Duca (The Great
Atlantic and Pacific Co).
Our gala partner, fundraising powerhouse,
the Grocery Industry Foundation took
shape in 1979 when a small group of
industry leaders took action on their desire
to contribute to the common good.This
desire took the form of a mandate to
provide funding for Ontario children who
are physically, intellectually or economically
challenged.These good intentions
combined with superb execution has
translated into one sensational event!
Chaired for many years by Simon Zucker
and Don Crombie, SuperGala excellence
is a product of the leadership and business
acumen of these two men and their
outstanding committee.What they bring to
the table as chairs cannot be overestimated.
In addition to their work with numerous
other charities, each has spent over three
decades running successful businesses.
Simon Zucker and Associates and
Advantage Crombie Kennedy
Nasmark are both leading Canadian
companies in food and product brokerage.
Considering the scale of the GIFT
Foundation fundraising one could say that
they have been going about their business
“quietly”.Though, not quite unnoticed
as the Foundation received recognition
as the 2005 Outstanding Foundation or
Philanthropy Group by the Association
of Fundraising Professionals. Additionally,
Simon Zucker was awarded the Governor
General’s Caring Canadian Award in 2003.
The Grocery Industry Foundation has
stayed true to its mission, in donating it’s
half of the monies raised at SuperGala to
an extensive list of children’s charities.
The list is long and wide in scope, though
John McNeil, Gift Foundation Executive
Director for 14 years, allows that it is
the child hunger programs they support
that really pull on his heartstrings.With
“Breakfast for Learning” operating in 1000
plus Ontario schools, John has paid visits
to many of these locations. Says John,“The
smiles on those little faces as they munch
through a healthy breakfast is the best
reward in the world”.
We take great pride in the charitable
pursuits of our SuperGala partner and
thank them for their uncommon
dedication and energy, which without a
doubt, comes straight from the heart.
Tammy Truman Summer Student Scholarship
Mr. Kevin St. Arnaud - University of Alberta
Summer
Student
Awards 2007
Donna Lee Zampieron (nee Stahls) Summer Student Scholarship
Mr. Nikolaus Jewell - McMaster University
Electronics Industry Hockey Tournament Summer Student Scholarship
Ms. Jacqueline Hayworth - University of Western Ontario
The Sorbara Family Summer Student Scholarship
Ms. Christine Chow - Hospital for Sick Children
2006 Finkelstein Award Winner – Diane Belanger Summer Student Scholarship
Mr. Robert Vanner - Queen's University
14
The Journal SUMMER 2007
All That Glitters Gala – Winnipeg
(Left) Evelyn and Dr. Charles Bernstein
(Middle) Gala Committee: Back Row – Merrill Shwaid, Shirley Carriere, Jacqueline Stillwater, Sandy Debrouwere, Alison Nolet, Cecile Devere, Morris Glimcher, Dr. Charles Bernstein
Front Row – Shari Haydaman, Regional Director MB/SK, Randee Pollock, Carla Vickar, Chair Missing: Mark Breslauer, Lesley Lewis, Diane Mauthe
Our Incredibly Cool Evening in Winnipeg on the last day in
May was clearly a night to remember.With over 300 attendees at
the Fort Garry Hotel, Dr. Charles Bernstein graced the event as
Honorary Chair for the first All That Glitters Gala. Dr. Bernstein
provided a candid view of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis,
all the while creating further awareness of IBD and underlining
the importance of raising funds for research with the Crohn’s and
Colitis Foundation of Canada.
The evening showcased over 75 prizes to be won in live, silent
and rainbow auctions. Guests could also purchase beautiful
white roses which gave them a chance to win either a pendant
on a chain donated by Breslauer & Warren (value $4,800) or a
diamond and ruby ring donated by Josef Ryan (value $1885).
The live auction offered excitement with a pool table from
Krevco Lifestyles; air & accommodations to Kauai from Air
Canada and Pat Garrity; and a chance to see the Blue Jays
including a weekend at the Delta Chelsea. Special thanks to
Jeff Jones & Troy Stutsky of Adesa Winnipeg for providing this
great opportunity to have some fun!
The Dave Lawton band provided great entertainment for those
that wanted to dance the night away while auction bidders
closely monitored the tables for some awesome prizes.
Special thanks to the Kerry L.Vickar Foundation (our ICE
donor) and Scotiabank (Diamond Sponsor) along with thanks to
the auction donors, Friends of the Gala Committee, Corporate
Tables and donors. The event raised over $130,000 and for a
first year, was a tremendous success!
INNOVATIONS IN IBD: A Special Competition September 2006
The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada’s
Innovations in IBD Research program funds
novel or innovative approaches to IBD research.
This grant is intended to stimulate and support
research which may not be encompassed within
the boundaries of traditional medical research.
Research proposals must conform to sound
principles of research. The Foundation seeks
excellence as well as innovation. Grants to
a maximum of $50,000 for one year may
be awarded.
NAME OF RESEARCHER
AND AFFILIATION
TITLE OF RESEARCH
Dr. Brian K. Coombes
McMaster University
A Canadian pilot study of adherent-invasive
Escherichia coli and ileal Crohn’s Disease
Dr. Anne Griffiths
Hospital for Sick Children
An IBD candidate gene on chromosome 19
Dr. Denis Krause
University of Manitoba
Prevalence of the Uncultured Bacterial Candidate
Phylum, TM7, in IBD Biopsy Tissue
Dr. Ernest Seidman
McGill University
Functional intestinal expression of OCTN in CD
SUMMER 2007 The Journal
15
FUNDRAISING NEWS
Heel ‘n’ Wheel-a-Thon Keeps on Rolling!
The 12th annual Heel ‘n’ Wheel-a-Thon
campaign is officially over and while final
results are not yet in, the preliminary
results show another successful year!
With the enthusiastic support of everyone
involved, the event could be nothing less
than a success. With over 70 events held
across the country, everyone involved is
to be congratulated on their fantastic
fundraising efforts. A special “Thank you!”
goes out to all our dedicated CCFC
volunteers, who selflessly devoted their
time and energy over the past nine
months, working hard to make the event
a success. From the hot, muggy days in
many parts of Ontario to the chilly, rainy
days in some parts of Newfoundland and
Labrador – the weather did not stop the
thousands of participants from cycling,
strolling, running and rolling together in
their efforts to raise funds to find the cure!
This year’s ePledge system was also a
great success. Chapters worked hard
to challenge their members to recruit
ePledge participants and held raffles to
encourage more participant registrations.
The preliminary ePledge results for the
month of June already exceeds the total
ePledge dollars raised for 2006. As more
participants become aware of our
ePledge system and become increasingly
comfortable using this technology in their
overall fundraising approach, we expect
the Heel ‘n’ Wheel-a-Thon ePledge
system to become one of the most
popular… and easiest ways to collect
pledges for future events.
Keep your eyes open for the next edition
of the Journal in which we will announce
our final Heel ‘n’ Wheel-a-Thon results!
Way to go team!
Thanks to our
National HNW
Sponsors!
Special thanks goes out to Air Canada for generously donating two
Economy Class tickets valid for travel to any Air Canada scheduled
destination in North America including Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean!