The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia chapter welcomes the community to the annual Pittsburgh Take Steps fundraiser on Sunday, June 13, for a reimagined, drive-thru event. Presented by UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, UPMC Health Plan and Chartwell Pennsylvania, LP, Pittsburgh Take Steps celebrates the Foundation’s mission to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases. As the nation’s largest fundraising walk dedicated to finding cures for IBD, Take Steps has brought together more than 430,000 people and raised over $107 million to help further the Foundation's mission. The 2021 Pittsburgh Take Steps drive-thru event features live music, a car decorating contest and photo booth, and opportunities to learn more about IBD resources and to engage with patients, sponsors and local partners. Each year, the Foundation honors local patients who impact the IBD community by raising awareness of the diseases and raising funds to support the Foundation’s mission. Jaclyn Lenhart, a student at Slippery Rock University, shares her story to inspire fellow patients and advocate for legislative changes. Honoree Kenny Day is a 13-year-old patient who educates his community about IBD and raises funds for research together with his Take Steps team. “Take Steps is one of our largest events to raise awareness and funds to improve the quality of life for the 3.1 million Americans living with IBD,” said Eric Hecker, executive director of the Foundation’s Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia chapter. “We are thrilled to bring our community together for a safe, drive-thru Take Steps experience this year. We cannot wait to celebrate our honored heroes, Jaclyn Lenhart and Kenny Day, and our local patients, caregivers and medical professionals for the work they do every day to advocate and raise funds for critical IBD research. We thank our partners, our presenting sponsors UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, UPMC Health Plan and Chartwell, and our corporate chair Brian Long, for their ongoing support and dedication to IBD patients.” Presenting sponsors UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, UPMC Health Plan and Chartwell Pennsylvania, LP, are long-standing partners in the Foundation’s mission to cure IBD by providing funding support, organizing Take Steps fundraising teams, presenting educational events and advocating for patients. “By partnering on groundbreaking research, patient education and outreach, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, UPMC Health Plan and Chartwell join the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation in working toward a future when we can find cures for IBD,” said Dr. Sandra Kim, Director of the IBD Center at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and board president for the local Foundation chapter. “Take Steps is a time to connect with our patients, caregivers and advocates as we continue to build on our common goal of improving the quality of life for everyone affected by IBD.” As corporate campaign chair, Brian Long, chair of Seubert & Associates, Inc., engages local businesses to build new partnerships and raise awareness and funding for IBD research. “I am honored to work with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation to support Pittsburgh Take Steps,” said Brian Long, Pittsburgh Take Steps corporate chair. “We are grateful to our corporate partners who are integral in the work of funding IBD research and programs to support patients and caregivers. We look forward to building relationships throughout our community to continue raising and funding, all in the name of finding cures for IBD.” The 2021 Pittsburgh Take Steps event will be held Sunday, June 13, from 1 to 4 p.m. EDT at Heinz Field Gold Lot 1 and is free to the community. To register, join a team or make a donation to fund critical IBD research, visit www.cctakesteps.org/pittsburgh.

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