Northport 2016 BWH/Harvard
Crohn’s & Colitis Study Underway
~ Still Recruiting Participants ~
Dr. Josh Korzenik, The Director of the Crohn’s and Colitis Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), one of the leading IBD researchers in the country, and his team have begun their second study of the health cluster of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease diagnosed in Northport residents. Their 2011 study concluded diagnosed cases of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease in the community was 10 to 15 times higher than national standards. This was one of the largest health clusters of these illnesses Dr. Korzenik has ever seen.
The current study is a more in-depth epidemiological case-control study. The focus is in finding a possible correlation of chronic exposure to specific heavy metals and ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
The case-control study includes participants who have been diagnosed with either Crohn’s or colitis as well as participants who have not been affected. In March I asked for volunteers for this new study. The response I received was overwhelming. I provided the full list to Dr. Korzenick, however if you volunteered and have still not heard from them please call or e-mail them at: IBDresearch@bwh.harvard.edu or 617-732-9173.
It is not too late to volunteer if you haven’t. They are still recruiting participants.
The scope of this study, and the study itself, has the very likely possibility of providing groundbreaking information the scientific community is greatly lacking.
Thank you to the many past and present Northport residents who have volunteered to participate in this study.
We cannot change the past or the damage Teck’s pollution has caused, and continues to cause, to countless Northport residents. However, by participating in studies like this invaluable information on the routes and duration of exposure to specific environmental toxins have in triggering or causing these rare diseases. This could help accomplish prevention, regulatory changes, and better treatment options and cures for Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and possibly many other autoimmune diseases.
– Jamie Paparich
THE NORTHPORT PROJECT 
I came across this article just today. Although I have never lived in Northport I did live in trail BC just in the valley immediately below the cominco smelter for about a year in the 1980s. Before living there my health was excellent and I did not have any issues. We moved from that area back to northern Canada and I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and thyroid disease approximately 2 years after our move away.
My doctors always wondered what the trigger was that started all the health issues. Maybe living amongst all the pollution from cominco was the trigger.
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This is the second response i have left with my 1st response no one contacted me back regarding this study. My husband Shawn Crandall grew up in Northport and was diagnosed at age 19 with ulcerative colitis. His number is 509 220-4883, email is bearandbrody@aol.com. Hope to hear back this time if you are seriously doing this study.
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Hi Shawn- I am so sorry no one has gotten back to you. The current study is only using participants currently living in Northport, but further studies of the impacted are planned. Could you please contact Ami, Dr. Korzenik’s associate, at:IBDresearch@bwh.harvard.edu or 617-732-9173. Again, I apologize No one has gotten back to you.
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I still would like to participate n the study!!
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Excellent! Could you e-mail Ami at IBDresearch@bwh.harvard.edu? She will ensure you are included in the study.
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