The following press release is for a new health science study to treat IBD. Health science involves using technology and scientific research to improve healthcare and treatment. If you are interested in learning more about, or possibly entering this field for yourself, this site exploring a Health Science Program in college offers more information on what it takes to become a health scientist.
CCFA is looking for 10,000or more IBD patients to share how IBD has impacted their lives through CCFA Partners, our newly-launched groundbreaking online research and education program.
By completing a short, confidential survey about their current quality of life and providing occasional updates on their health, participants can shape researchers’ understanding of IBD.
This will ultimately help us to reach the goal of more rapid research progress, better treatments, and the cures we need.
THE NORTHPORT PROJECT 
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America Seeks IBD Patients for Internet-Based National Study
New York, New York—July 12, 2011—The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America today announced that it has opened enrollment for CCFA Partners, a comprehensive Internet-based registry designed to study thousands of patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis under a single research initiative. These chronic and often painful digestive diseases, collectively known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), affect over 1.4 million Americans.
Unlike prior research, which has typically been conducted in small studies at major medical centers, this groundbreaking initiative aims to partner with 10,000 IBD patients and track their experiences with IBD over time. This will help researchers better understand the natural history and course of the disease, allowing them to address the issues that IBD patients face.
“The goal of CCFA Partners is to invite patients to help researchers understand how IBD is affecting them,” says Kimberly Frederick, Senior Vice President of Mission at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. “We hope to use CCFA Partners to ultimately improve the quality of life for people with IBD.”
Patients who enroll will complete a brief confidential online survey to provide information about their experiences with IBD. Participants will be subsequently contacted via e-mail every three months with information about the study’s progress. Every six months they will be asked to update their disease conditions.
Patients interested in learning more and participating in CCFA Partners can visit http://ccfapartners.org.
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