• VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
  • CHOLANGIOCONNECT
  • SUPPORT GROUPS
  • SCIENTIFIC UPDATE

  • TEAMCCF
  • ADVOCACY
  • FUNDRAISING HIGHLIGHT
  • AWARENESS STORE
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.

Erica Kerr

Erica Kerr, daughter of Eric Nahm (pictured above), serves as an encouraging and compassionate caregiver mentor. Since 2017 Erica Kerr has built relationships with her mentees and has grown amazing friendships. 

Read Erica's Story

CHOLANGIOCONNECT

Patient mentors Tom Leitzke and Jim Hoofnagle share their stories on Cholangio Heroes.

“People appreciate having someone that really understands.” Tom Leitzke

“I feel like a fellow traveler with my friends.” Jim Hoofnagle


The program is currently seeking

  • mentors with distal cholangiocarcinoma
  • caregiver mentors that are actively caring for their loved ones
  • international mentors


Become a mentor. Gain a friend.

Learn More
SUPPORT GROUPS

Schedule for Patient and Caregiver Support Groups

November 3 - Patient Support Group


November 10, 4pm - Webinar on Minimizing the Financial Impact of a Cancer Diagnosis, with Amanda Goodstadt, Esq. from TriageCancer


November 11 @ 5 pm ET - Veterans Support Group


November 16 - Canadian Support Group


November 17 - Caregiver Support Group


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

Visit the CCF calendar to see additional 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.

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 Bank of America Chicago Marathon had 26 runners on the team and raised $60,000. Thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, or donated! A special shout out to volunteer and warrior, Greg Metzler, who took photos for CCF the entire week! Registration for Chicago 2023 is open. Please email Meredith McGuffage for more information. 



TeamCCF TCS New York City Marathon has 14 runners who, after 18 weeks of training, will run on Sunday, November 6, 2022.


Registration for the 3rd Annual TeamCCF Virtual Turkey Trot: Run, Bike, Walk is open. Register as an individual or family and receive a Turkey Trot shirt in the mail. All money raised will go towards research and patient programming.


Lynn Mina Imakhchachen joined the Virtual Turkey Trot in memory of her mom or as Lynn calls her, maman. Lynn's maman, Zoulikha Harnafi-Imakhchachen, was married for over 25 years to Mostafa. Both were born in and met in Morocco - later building a life together in central Florida. Zoulikha worked for Disney and rose to become a Business Systems Leader at Disney's research arm (CIMA) before retiring due to her cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) diagnosis. Zoulihka fought with all her might for 2 years after her stage IV diagnosis. Lynn and her father Mostafa were Zoulihka's primary caregivers. Lynn said "We are passionate about giving back to the CCA community to raise awareness, support patients and caregivers, and CCA research. I'm overjoyed we reached our goal. I wasn't even sure we would hit $2,000. With a lot of help from all the people whose lives maman touched, we reached our goal faster than I could have ever imagined. I am humbled and beyond grateful for everyone's help. Maman would be so proud." Lynn continued "The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, along with clinical staff & researchers, represent the front lines of our collective battle against CCA. We want to support the mission in any & every way we can."

ADVOCACY UPDATE

FUNDRAISING HIGHLIGHT

Ashley Bumgardner Thomasson of Greenville, South Carolina, was a mother to two young daughters, a loving wife, a devoted friend, and an excellent middle school teacher. After a 3-and-a-half-year treatment journey, Ashley passed away from cholangiocarcinoma at age 39 on June 26, 2022.

 

Ashley was highly active and always made sure to “get her steps in.” Ashley enjoyed dancing, swimming, and playing softball. Last November, Ashley encouraged her friends and family to join her in a Step Challenge; over 100 of her friends and family met that challenge and walked over 100 miles with her.

 

This November, Ashley’s family, and friends are joining to celebrate her life by continuing Ashley’s challenge and encouraging others to donate to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation in her memory. Their goal is to walk 100 miles throughout November and raise $3,000 to benefit CCF. All donations will support the foundation’s research and advocacy efforts.  


Click here to learn more about how you can support All in for Ashley.

AWARENESS STORE

The 2022 CCF Holiday Ornament is now available in the store.  This 2" in diameter, hand-blown ornament was created for the Foundation by a young artist in Chicago. Limited supplies are available. 

A black CCF Zip-Up Hoodie will be available by mid-November. This hoodie is available in white, gray, and now black. 

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