Tiffany McPhee, Prince Edward Island Tiffany is 14 years old and has been living with Crohn’s disease for five years. In that short time, Tiffany has taught everyone around her what it means to be gutsy. Tiffany’s mother Annie is very proud of her daughter, and nominated her for her determination to raise awareness in her community, as well as all the ways she has worked to raise money toward finding a cure.

When Tiffany was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, she finally understood why she couldn't keep up with her friends or why a full week of school was out of the question. While she was in hospital, the doctors gave the McPhee family a lot of information about the disease, and told them about some of the decisions they would need to make about treatment. Even at the age of nine, Tiffany was paying close attention and taking charge of her health.  For example, she has chosen to eat exclusively by tube many times, missing holiday feasts at Easter, Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving and even her birthday.

When she was out of hospital after being diagnosed, the first thing she did was invite her five best friends for a visit, so they could see her feeding tube and the backpack she uses to carry the device. Those friends have stayed by her side in school, helping her educate other students and teachers about Crohn’s disease.

Tiffany has also worked to raise money for the Charlottetown Heel 'n' Wheel-a-Thon and the M&M Meat Shops Charity BBQ. Last year, after PEI lifted its ban on canned pop, Tiffany noticed that cans were being thrown out so she asked people in her region to give them to her. She then sorted and redeemed over $1,000 worth of refundable cans, which she donated to the CCFC. Tiffany is showing no signs of stopping this fundraiser. Tiffany has spoken about Crohn’s disease to her local church, her school, and with everyone who drops off refundable cans and asks about her fundraising cause.

Congratulations to Tiffany for taking charge of her Crohn’s disease, for raising awareness anywhere she can, and for being the 2009 Gutsiest Canadian!

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Beverly Swackhamer – Newfoundland

Crohn's disease has given Bev many hurdles to overcome, but not once has she excused herself from any committee, fundraiser or event due to ill health. Bev was instrumental in founding the Trinity-Conception Chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada in 1993. She has served as president of the Chapter, and has sold fruitcakes, chocolates and raffle tickets, and organized a “Let's Do Brunch” fundraiser – anything for the cause!

Bev has also played a key role in organizing an annual dinner and dance and has been on every Heel ‘n’ Wheel-a-Thon committee – ensuring also that every child attending a Heel 'n' Wheel-a-Thon goes home with a generous loot bag. She has been the chapter's Top Pledge Earner for years, and a national Top Pledge Earner for the past six years.

Bev has two young daughters and is actively involved in their busy lives, having been a Brownie leader for four years and a Sunday School teacher for five years. In addition to all she does to help advance awareness and fundraising for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, she still finds the time to visit volunteers who have been hospitalized due to inflammatory bowel disease.

She became involved with the CCFC because she strongly believes supporting the Foundation is the best way to find the cure, and she is committed to doing her part to attain that goal for all those who have been diagnosed with IBD.

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Jackie Fisher – Quebec

Jackie Fisher’s courage, strength and determination are remarkable for such a young person facing a challenging chronic condition such as Crohn’s disease. Jackie has been devoted to the cause of raising funds to find a cure for inflammatory bowel disease since before she finished elementary school! Her loyalty to the cause is unwavering and she manages, one way or another, to balance her responsibilities as a full-time university student with her many commitments to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada.

A little over a year ago, Jackie single-handedly undertook the task of founding the Montreal Youth Committee of the CCFC. She currently serves as its chair. The Montreal Youth Committee is devoted to engaging youth in raising funds and awareness about IBD. Last April, the Committee hosted the Montreal premiere of Universal Studios’ State of Play at one of the city’s largest theatres, and raised over $6,000 for the Foundation.

Jackie is always available to give a helping hand to any fundraising event, whether that’s being a store coordinator for the M&M Meat Shops Charity BBQ Day, selling raffle tickets at the Montreal Gala, helping promote the Heel ‘n’ Wheel-a-Thon on local media or sharing her story at education conferences in both French and English.

Jackie’s natural leadership and motivational skills have helped educate countless people of all ages about inflammatory bowel disease.

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Aki Chencinski – Ontario

When his daughter Stacey was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 1997 at the age of 18, Aki Chencinski decided the family should participate in the Heel ‘n’ Wheel-a-Thon. The week of the event, Stacey needed an emergency bowel resection, so Aki walked on her behalf. He raised a few thousand dollars and decided the following year they should walk as a family.

Each year since then, Aki has continued to raise more and more money, always earning Top Pledge Earner status. When Aki’s son-in-law Brad, who also suffered from Crohn’s disease, joined the family a few years later by marrying his other daughter, Aki stepped up his efforts – raising at least $10,000 to $15,000 every year.

Nearly two years ago, Brad passed away after a brief battle with cancer at the age of 34. Although this devastating loss has been extremely difficult for everyone, Aki has used this tragedy to raise even more money for the Heel ‘n’ Wheel-a-Thon by creating “Team Brad,” made up of Brad’s family and closest friends. During the past two years “Team Brad” has been a top fundraiser nationally.

His efforts over the past 12 years have raised a significant amount of money to find a cure for IBD, truly making a difference for his daughter, who nominated him for this recognition, and so many other Canadians living with IBD.

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Joel Frey – Saskatchewan

Joel has been involved with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada for over five years.  Since that time, Joel has held various leadership positions within the Saskatoon Chapter including President, Treasurer, Education Coordinator, Heel ‘n’ Wheel-a-Thon Coordinator and Volunteer Director.  He has brought many new, innovative ideas to his chapter. 

Even though he has Crohn’s disease, Joel gives so much and is very dedicated to his work with CCFC.  Several of his friends have joined the Saskatoon Chapter executive just because Joel asked them to! 

Joel is also not afraid to go crazy for the cause.  In 2009, Joel was a Heel ‘n’ Wheel-a-Thon Top Pledge Earner – encouraging many pledges by promising to dress as a woman at the event. And not just any woman, but the Chicken Lady from the Canadian comedy show Kids in the Hall!

All of these accomplishments have come while Joel is earning his PhD in electrical engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. For most people, leading the busy life of a graduate student does not afford much time for other activities, but Joel has remained dedicated to raising funds and awareness for inflammatory bowel disease.

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Angela Blanchard –Alberta/Northwest Territories/Nunavut

After being diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2003, Angela has endured numerous surgeries, relapses and setbacks.  Instead of using this as an excuse, Angela has used it as motivation. While continuing with her career in the oil and gas sector, she has been a tireless volunteer for the local distress centre and has organized several fundraising events.  In addition to this, she has been an active promoter and Top Pledge Earner in the annual Heel 'n' Wheel-a-Thon.

Recently, Angela went to South Africa and chose to volunteer at a daycare, while living there.  She also visited a refugee camp and bought several hundred pounds of rice and beans for the people living there.

Angela’s story is not only one of a young individual who is 'Gutsy,' but an individual whose courage and determination allowed her to set outstanding goals and achieve them.  She has proven that while Crohn’s disease can prevent you from travelling, leave you exhausted and require never-ending medical appointments, it can also invoke strength and courage you never knew you had. 

 

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Kathi Evans – British Columbia

The definition of Guardian Angel is a special angel assigned to protect and guide each person. For families with children living with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, that angel is Nurse Kathi Evans at BC Children’s Hospital.

Families facing inflammatory bowel disease know that the time following a diagnosis of IBD is a time of coping with lifestyle changes, traveling to and from hospitals, and seeking more information about the disease they now live with. It’s also a deeply frustrating and heartbreaking time, watching someone so young face so much pain, but often be unable to explain why or where they are hurting. This leaves families feeling helpless and unsure about to what to do, looking for a listening ear when a flare-up occurs.

Kathi Evans has been that listening ear – as well as a calming voice – for so many families. Kathi is an advocate for children with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. She has been part of the BC Children's Hospital team for many years, and regardless of whether it’s your first appointment or your 100th, she always drops by to say hello, see how the family is doing or give a hug. She is an amazing nurse, true to her profession. Kathi is also a supporter of the CCFC. She has organized many events for kids and teens with IBD, hosted education events and conferences, developed programs at Camp Zajac and much more. Kathi's love of children and her work with children living with these diseases has truly impacted the IBD community.