• VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
  • CHOLANGIOCONNECT
  • SUPPORT GROUPS


  • FUNDRAISING HIGHLIGHT
  • SCIENTIFIC UPDATE
  • TEAMCCF
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH

Each month, we recognize those whose contributions inspire us and who demonstrate excellence with their service to others. We thank those outstanding individuals and honor their immense efforts, time, and resources that are generously given to the Foundation.

Mandy Wallace

“To know that I’ve helped someone not be alone is amazing. Because it is so lonely. It’s a lonely disease, and I feel that the Foundation has done much to make it less lonely for everyone.”

~ Mandy Wallace, Patient Mentor

Read Mandy's Story

CHOLANGIOCONNECT

Phil Baughman, Patient Mentor

As the CholangioConnect program experienced nearly a 60% year of growth, the volunteer community answered the call to action. We are grateful for each mentor, as their efforts have allowed CCF to continue to meet the needs of our community. Mentors personally improve the lives of those affected by cholangiocarcinoma. Thank you, mentors!

SUPPORT GROUPS

Schedule for Patient and Caregiver Support Groups

October 6 - Patient Support Group


October 11 - In-Person Patient and Caregiver Meet & Greet in Huntington Beach, CA. Contact Lourdes Rocha-Nussbaum for more information.


October 13 - In-Person Patient and Caregiver Meet & Greet in Los Angeles, CA. Contact Lourdes Rocha-Nussbaum for more information.


October 19 - Canadian Support Group


October 20 - Caregiver Support Group


October 21 - Spanish Support Group, 6pm EST


October 22 - In-Person Patient and Caregiver Meet and Greet in North Central Toronto. Contact Randi Fine for more information. 

Online Support groups are at 4:00 p.m. EST unless otherwise noted. Registration is free but required. 


Visit the CCF calendar to see all the additional October events and links to get involved. 

Note: This is a great resource for CholangioConnect mentors to share with either newly diagnosed patients or new mentees.

Learn More

FUNDRAISING HIGHLIGHT

Kevin Coyle hosted the A Hike for Jill. A Hike for a Cure. fundraising event on Sept. 10, 2022. The event is the fourth hike that Kevin has organized to raise funds for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF) in memory of his wife, Jill Coyle. After “fighting the good fight” for 17 months, Jill passed away in October of 2018 at the age of 51.


Kevin and Jill enjoyed hiking together. Kevin decided a yearly hike would be a great way to honor Jill and raise funds to advance research and advocacy efforts to help others cope with cholangiocarcinoma. 


“I figured the best way I could honor Jill’s life, and keep her legacy alive in myself, her family, and all who knew her, is to support an organization that is dedicated to helping fund research, clinical trials, and support patients” Kevin explained. “At the time, treatment options did not save Jill’s life, but new treatments may save someone else’s in the future.”


Kevin is dedicated to organizing and completing 10 hikes of the 10 highest peaks in 10 years. This year, A Hike for Jill. A Hike for a Cure. occurred at Mt. Jefferson in New Hampshire. Participants created beautiful memories and raised $4,237 for CCF. Next year’s hike is taking place at Mt. Monroe! 


Click here to support A Hike for Jill. A Hike for a Cure. 

SCIENTIFIC UPDATE


Dr. Reham Abdel-Wahab,

Director of Research and Chief Scientific Office

Kelly Butler, 

CCF Volunteer and NIH Postbac Research Fellow

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is often detected at an advanced stage that is difficult to treat. Early detection is an important area of research, and scientists are working to develop new tools to detect CCA in its early, more treatable stages. A recent paper laid the necessary groundwork for diagnostic breath tests, which require distinct features in the breath of CCA patients vs. healthy individuals. 

Read Summary
TeamCCF UPDATE

TeamCCF's Bank of America Chicago Marathon runners race on Sunday, October 9th. The team of 26 is CCF's largest team to date. To read about each member, click here. Anyone who would like to join the Cheer Station on marathon morning is welcome. We will be on the north side of Adams at Adams and Laflin.


The 3rd Annual Turkey Trot takes place the week of November 20th. Registration opens on Monday, October 3rd. We are looking for sponsors. Please contact Lena Fung, CCF director of corporate development for sponsorship opportunities.

Don't miss this fun, virtual event! 


Congratulations to Jessica Mather, who raised $4,622.76 in memory of her brother-in-law last year. Stewart Mather was 42 and left behind his wife and four children.

Jessica plans to join TeamCCF again in the spring. 

Lisa Reynolds and her family hosted a bike ride in St Joseph, MN, in memory of her mom, Laurie Kunradt.


"It was a beautiful day for biking, and we very much felt my mom's presence out on her favorite trail and in a group of her family and friends who all came together to remember and honor her," Lisa said


The event raised $3,952 and Lisa had approximately 20 people join her for the ride.

Thank you, Lisa, for your hard work!

Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation | (888) 936-6731 | info@cholangiocarcinoma.org | cholangiocarcinoma.org
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