SP
Samantha Petrella
  • Class of 2012
  • Mahopac, NY

Samantha Petrella Participates in Charitable Crohn's and Colitis Walk at Eastern Connecticut State University

2011 Oct 21

FEMALES (Females Excelling Maturing to Achieve Leadership, Excellence and Success), a women's leadership club at Eastern Connecticut State University, hosted its third annual "Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis" walk on Oct. 2. Proceeds benefited the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA).

Samantha Petrella '12 of Mahopac particiated in the event. Petrella is majoring in Psychology.

"It's an honor for us to help support the foundation of a disease that afflicts many people," said Bethany Delaney, president of FEMALES. "A lot of people are unfamiliar with Crohn's disease and colitis, so the walk is a good way to help promote awareness about them. FEMALES hopes the walk will grow bigger each year to raise more money towards a cure."

Crohn's disease is a chronic disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive or gastrointestinal tract. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition that mainly affects the colon. Both diseases belong to a larger illness called inflammatory bowel disease. The two diseases are extremely difficult to distinguish due to their similar symptoms. According to CCFA, approximately 10 percent of colitis cases are unable to be pinpointed as either ulcerative (chronic) colitis or Crohn's disease, and are called indeterminate colitis. Currently there is no cure for Crohn's disease and colitis, but available treatment options can make life easier for those affected by the disease.

Eastern Connecticut State University is part of the Connecticut State University System (CSUS) and is the state's designated public liberal arts university. Eastern serves more than 5,600 students each year on its Willimantic campus.