Photo: From left to right is Steven (Nikki’s son), Nikki Walsh, Dr Fred Makrauer, and Kathy Walsh (Nikki’s mom)

Dear Family and Friends;

It is that time of year again; time to start our fund-raising efforts on behalf of the “Playing for Life Foundation” (PFL). As you all hopefully remember our family founded PFL in 2009 to raise money to help find a cure for Crohns disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Both my children, Dan and Nikki have been plagued with these diseases for over a decade.

Finding a cure and improved treatments are our family’s passion and mission.  Last year was our first official and organized effort.  With the help of our family, friends, and CCFA-Boston we raised over $10,000  – not bad for our first time out!

This year we are kicking off our fund-raising efforts at my retirement bash.  Party will be held at PK Walsh, Thursday April 28th from 6-10PM.   All proceeds will be donated to PFL which in turn will be donated to CCFA-Boston.

By the way PFL will once again be a sponsor for CCFA’s annual national walk and fundraiser “Take Steps” to be held June 4th at Boston Common.  We also plan on recruiting all our family and friends to join us for this very important walk – stay tuned for details.

More to come…………………..Kathy Walsh

Want To Support Our Cause? Click On The Donate Button Below. All proceeds go to support children with Crohn’s and Colitis.

OUR FAMILY OUR STORY…FROM KATHY WALSH

The year was 2000.  A very special event was going to happen in our family— my daughter Nikki was expecting her first child.  This is our family’s story of how Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease changed all of our lives forever.

When Nikki was in her sixth month of pregnancy, she was rushed to the hospital in excruciating pain and bleeding profusely.  We came close to losing her and her unborn baby.  Fortunately, her medical team was able to stabilize her and preserve her pregnancy.

This was the beginning of a very long and turbulent journey for Nikki and her son Steven.  Her first stay in the hospital was three months long as she was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (UC).  Unfortunately she was not able to receive treatment for her UC because of her pregnancy.  Towards the end of her three month stay, Steven was born.  He was 10 weeks premature; he was very small but appeared to be healthy.

For Nikki the birth of her son, Steven, was bittersweet.  As excited as we all were, there was a lot of sadness as well.  Let me explain.  Ten days after Steven’s delivery, Nikki was bombarded with every medication available to stabilize her and avoid surgery.  Sadly nothing worked.  She had colon/rectal surgery, a colostomy, and then began navigating a whole new world of medical challenges.

For the next several years Nikki endured many surgeries and so many set backs, it was painful to watch.  She endured it all with determination and grace.  Even when her son, Steven, at four months old, had to have emergency colon surgery and a temporary colostomy, she was unflappable. She never left his side even though she was very ill herself.

Nine years later Nikki is feeling better than she has in years.  Steven is a charming, dynamic nine year old.  Both are living a relatively normal life.

Finding a cure for Crohns and Colitis is our family’s passion and mission. My son Dan was also diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 1998.  He has managed the disease with medicine, diet and exercise.  To quote Dan:  “As an adult, living with UC is not easy.  It’s not just the physical aspect of the disease that hits you hard–it’s the emotional part that can really weigh you down.

Over 1.4 million American adults & children are affected by these diseases.  Many suffer in silence.  “Take Steps” for Crohn’s and Colitis is CCFA”s annual national walk and fundraiser. Please join  “Playing for Life “to help us support CCFA in raising money to find a cure. Want to get involved?

Please visit our fan page to post pictures, share stories about your story of Crohns and Colitis or your experience with hair loss. Or contact  Kathleen Walsh at kathyw@pkwalsh.com