Women of Distinction
Welcome Package
Sponsored by ABC 13 &
Mercedes Benz Dealers of Greater Houston
Table of Contents
Welcome Letter
2016 Women of Distinction
2016 Women of Distinction Contact Listing
Important Dates
Gittings
Your Biography
Mailing List
Donor Levels – 2 pages
Program Ads
Auction Donor Form
About CCFA
LEADERSHIP BOARD September 13, 2015
Brock Wagner, President
Lisa Richardson To Our Fabulous Ambassador and Women of Distinction,
Elizabeth Stein
Tom O’Connor Congratulations! With so much excitement and honor, we congratulate you, alongside our
Bincy Abraham, MD fabulous chairs Jana Arnoldy and Susan Arnoldy Hansen, for being selected as Houston’s
Jason Hou, MD best of the best! It is because of all of your hard work, volunteerism and numerous hours
Seema Walsh, MD
Karen Arnold
Sharon Owens of community service you have been selected. This year was an incredibly competitive
Louis Provenzano year for both the Women of Distinction and Ambassador categories. At CCFA take great
Helen Shaffer
pride in the fairness and seriousness of our Women of Distinction selection process.
Melody Smith Thank you for joining us this fall and into the New Year as we celebrate you as remark-
Donna Tyler
CHAPTER MEDICAL able women. Also, thank you for rallying your support network to come celebrate with
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Bincy Abraham, MD, Chair you and donate to this amazing cause to find a cure for Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis!
Jason Hou, MD, Co-Chair
Seema Walsh, MD, Co-Chair Since 1967, it has been our
Thomas Arnold, MD mission at Crohn’s and Colitis
Philip S. Bentlif, MD Foundation of America
Andrew DuPont, MD (CCFA), alongside advocates
Atilla Ertan, MD like you, to cure Crohn’s
George Ferry, MD
Keith Fiman, MD
Greg Galler, MD disease and ulcerative colitis,
Francisco Garcia-Torres, MD and to improve the quality of
Sherilyn Gordon- Burroughs
life of children and adults
Joseph Holland, MD
Manreet Kaur, MD affected by these diseases. As
Pradeep Kumar, MD
Gabrielle New-Seekley, M.Ed, a national organization we
LPC, BCPC, ACC
Barbara Reid, MD serve more than 300,000
Carl Schmulen, MD patients annually through our 40 chapters as well as our national education and support
Joseph Sellin, MD programs. We have a constituent base of more than two million people. We serve more
John Stroehlein, MD than 30,000 patients just in South Texas.
Carlo Taboada, MD
David Thompson, MD
James Versolovic, MD This year for the 2016 Winter Ball, Age of Aquarius our slogan is Raising Funds to Find a
Theodoros Voloyannis, MD Cure. With 83¢ of every $1 going towards missions, we are dedicated to finding a cure
George Whalen, MD
Lee Winderman, PhD and providing resources to our Houston patients and medical community. As an Ambassa-
Barry Winston, MD dor or a Woman of Distinction you represent a long line of elite women who have come
Karen L. Woods, MD before to receive this honor and support us as we work towards raising our goal this year
CHAPTER STAFF of $1M dollars at our 2016 Winter Ball. It is an honor to work with you and thank you for
Jennifer Conaway, ED joining us as we work hard to fund a cure!
Charlie Weiss
Michelle Stoddard With so much excitement,
Laura Stein
Stacey Cutler
Ashley Chiarello
Jennifer Small
Amber Martin
Sabrina Irsay
Robin Kingham Jennifer Conaway Laura Stein
Derek Dobson
Executive Director Development Manager
WomTenheof2D01is6tinction
Phoebe Tudor
Ambassador
Gina Bhatia
Estela Cockrell
Gina Gaston Elie
Lisa Holthouse
Mady Kades
Dee Dee Marsh
Paula Mendoza
JoAnn Petersen
Barbara Van Postman
Lynn Walsh
Bradlee Few
Rising Star
Contact Information
Gina Bhatia DeeDee Marsh
713-522-5606 713-870-4328
1 Shadow Lawn Street 210 Heritage Oaks
Houston Tx 77024
Houston, Tx 77005 [email protected]
[email protected]
Paula Mendoza
Estela Cockrell
713-271-3746
713-853-7361 150 W. Parker Road Suite 602
1 Briar Trail
Houston Tx, 77076
Houston, Tx 77056 [email protected]
[email protected]
Jo Ann Petersen
Gina Gaston Elie
713-789-0529
713-953-1456 2210 Potomac #3
One Mott Lane Houston Tx 77057
Houston, Tx 77024 [email protected]
[email protected]
Barbara Van Postman
Lisa Holthouse
713-784-9450
713-688-5009 2057 Winrock
301 Little John Lane Houston Tx 77057
Houston Tx 77024 [email protected]
[email protected]
Lynn Walsh
Mady Kades
281-467-2182
713-702-5905 5 Heritage Trail
8844 Memorial Dr Magnolia Tx 77354
Houston Tx 77024 [email protected]
[email protected]
Ambassador
Rising Star Phoebe Tudor
Bradlee Few
713-522-9256
713-461-0003 1405 South Bld
613 Wellesley Dr. Houston Tx 77006
Houston Tx 77024 [email protected]
[email protected]
Important Dates
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
150 Word Bios due to CCFA
Please Email to [email protected]
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.
Private Luncheon for the 2016 Women of Distinction at Hotel Granduca
Please email your Contact List for mailing announcements and invitations to the
Winter Ball events to Paul-David Van Atta at [email protected]
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. ~ Saks Fifth Avenue
2016 Women of Distinction
Announcement Reception
Monday, October 12, 2015
650 Word Bio due to CCFA.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Women of Distinction Reunion Cocktail Party
Hosted by Jana Arnoldy and Susan Arnoldy-Hansen
at the home of Jana and Scotty Arnoldy
December 2015
Date to be determined
Underwriter’s Reception
at the home of Millette and Haag Sherman
Saturday, January 23, 2016
2016 Winter Ball at the Hilton Americas Hotel
(There will be a rehearsal earlier that day. Details to follow.)
Gittings is a name recognized throughout Texas as one of America’s most
prestigious portrait photography studios. Since Paul Gittings founded the
company more than 80 years ago, Gittings has photographed U.S. Presidents,
celebrities and luminaries, top executives and influential families, creating
exceptional portraits that will endure for generations. Now you will have the
opportunity to be photographed by the talented photographers at Gittings.
Gittings is commissioned to produce a portrait of each Woman of Distinction for
inclusion in the keepsake Winter Ball Program. Your portrait may be
photographed in your home or garden and will be planned with you prior to your
appointment.
Please contact Gittings before the end of September to begin the process of
planning your portrait and reserving your appointment.
Most Women of Distinction honorees wear a gown for their portrait, as the
photographs will be seen in a black tie environment. Gittings invites your
family to participate in the photo shoot should you want to have a family portrait
conveniently taken at the same time.
It is very important to have your Gittings portrait done immediately so that it is
ready for display at the events leading up to the Winter Ball Gala on Saturday,
January 23, 2016.
Please contact Andrew Cordes at 713-965-9301 within 48 hours of receiving
your orientation packet to schedule the sitting for your official portrait.
Your Biography
We want to share the accomplishments that make you a true Woman of Distinction!
We request that you provide CCFA with current biographical information, including
your involvement in volunteerism and philanthropy.
Please email your 150 word bio for the Announcement Party to
[email protected] by the deadline of Wednesday, September 23rd.
The full biography, up to 650 words, will be printed in the keepsake Winter Ball
program and is due to PDV Special Events, LLC by Monday, October 12. Some edits for
formatting and consistency will be made to the bio you send us. The final proof will be
emailed to you for your final approval.
If you have any questions about your bio, please don’t hesitate to contact
Paul-David Van Atta at (713) 487-7381.
Your Mailing List and
Winter Ball Table Reservations
We want the night of Winter Ball to be a very special time for you! We invite you to prepare a list of
friends, family, and colleagues you would like us to notify of your selection as a 2016 ABC-13 Women
of Distinction. We will send them invitations to upcoming Winter Ball events, including the
Announcement Party, the Women of Distinction Reunion Brunch, and the 2016 Winter Ball.
Your mailing list will be cross-referenced with the master mailing list at CCFA to avoid duplications.
We will email you a formatted Excel spreadsheet to use in creating a list of personal contacts. Please
email it to CCFA@pdvspecialevents by September 21st.
Please let us know if you would also like additional invitations to the Winter Ball and we will send
them to you once they are printed in December.
The Winter Ball is the biggest fundraising event each year for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of
America, and we depend on our Women of Distinction honorees to support the gala through a personal
purchase of a table. We also encourage you to put together a table or two of friends and family to be
there to applaud you on your special night.
We offer major sponsorship levels at $100,000, $75,000, $50,000, $25,000, and $15,000 and additional
sponsorship levels are available at $10,000 and $5,000. Donations received before Monday, November
16, will be recognized in the invitation and program. Donations received after this date and before
January 2 will be listed only in the program.
A Winter Ball donor form and an explanation of benefits is included in this packet. Individuals who
would like to sit together but are sending their money separately must list those with whom they wish
to be seated.
All reservations and payments must be received by January 5, 2016.
Commemorative
2016 CCFAWinter Ball
Program Ads
We are producing a beautiful commemorative program that will be distributed
at the 2016 Winter Ball. We invite your family and friends to share in this
special night by purchasing an ad in the program celebrating you and your
many accomplishments.
There are various sizes of ads starting at $2,500 for a full-page ad in color
to $175 for a black and white quarter page ad.
Please see the enclosed program ad sales form for additional information. All of
the revenue from the program ad sales helps fund research, education, support
programs, and outreach initiatives of CCFA for the many children and adults
suffering from debilitation digestive diseases.
Program Book Ad Chairman
Lesha Elsenbrook
713-201-3487
[email protected]
of GALA CHAIRS
WINTER BALL 2016 Jana Arnoldy and Susan Arnoldy Hansen
RAISING FUNDS TO FIND A CURE AUCTION CHAIRS
Liz Rigney and Beth Wolff
SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2016
THE HILTON AMERICAS
AUCTION DONOR FORM
Donor Name:
Company Name:
Contact Person:
Address: State: Zip:
City:
Tel: ( ) Fax: ( ) Email:
Credit to Read:
In the following description, please include any restrictions, if applicable (time limitations, usage or any other special instructions)
Donation Description:
Item is attached Estimated Retail Value: $ Item to be delivered
Item to be picked up
Signature of Donor: Name: (Please print) Date:
Please return your Auction Donor Form
via fax to (713) 640-5549, via e-mail to [email protected] or by regular mail to
PDV Special Events, LLC, 2032 Buffalo Terrace, Houston, TX 77019 Phone 713-487-7381
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding the
cures for Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis. It was founded in 1967 by Irwin M. and Suzanne Rosenthal, William D. and
Shelby Modell, and Henry D. Janowitz, M.D. Since our founding over four decades ago, CCFA has remained at the forefront of
research in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Today, we fund cutting-edge studies at major medical institutions, nurture
investigators at the early stages of their careers, and finance underdeveloped areas of research. In addition, our educational
workshops and programs, along with our scientific journal, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, enable medical professionals to
keep pace with this rapidly growing field. We are very proud that the National Institutes of Health has commended us for
"uniting the research community and strengthening IBD research."
Our Mission
To cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these
diseases.
The Problem
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are serious diseases that drastically affect the lives of both patients and those who care
for them. Symptoms include but are not limited to persistent diarrhea, server abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, fever, malnu-
trition and weight loss, weakness, and irritation of the skin, joints and eyes. Surgery to remove a potion of the bowel is
common. Some adolescents with Crohn’s or colitis experience delays in physical growth and puberty, causing them to look
younger and smaller than their peers. It is not uncommon for patients with IBD to have two dozen bowel movements per day
or to take as many as 20 pills everyday to treat these devastating conditions. Going beyond the physical pain endured,
psychological illness such as depression often arises.
Yo u r D o l lar s at Wo r k
CCFA consistently meets standards established by the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance as well as other charity
watchdog organizations. 83¢ of every $1 you donate to CCFA goes directly to our mission. Only 8% of non-profits and chari-
ties nation-wide can promote this kind of success.
Our Constituents
An estimated 1.4 million Americans or 1 in 186 people, including 150,000 under the age of eighteen, have Crohn’s disease and
ulcerative colitis. Over 30,000 people in South Texas alone are affected. We serve more than 300,000 patients nationwide
annually through our 40 chapters as well as our national education and support programs. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative
colitis are most commonly diagnosed in late adolescence and early adulthood, but can strike at any age. We have a constituent
base of more than two million people.
Our Sponsors
Our dedicated donors, sponsors and foundations provide us with significant donations, which have made many of our
research, support, and education programs possible. The South Texas Chapter of CCFA remains steadfast in its commitment
to studying and improving the treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis while providing important support
programs for those diagnosed. In order for our efforts to continue support of the community and donors like you is critical.
We thank you for your support of CCFA and the South Texas Chapter.
ACcCFcAo’s m201p4 lishments
Research
CCFA is currently funding a roster of over 220 investigator-initiated research projects with an investment
of $21.6 million in 2014 and an overall investment of over $250 million. Funding includes a set of priority
research initiatives: multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary, collaborative research projects targeting areas of
science with a high probability of advancing treatment. These initiatives are:
Microbiome Initiative:
• Researchers have identified individual species and groups of bacteria that
may be involved in IBD, and examined the interaction of gut bacteria and
cells in the immune system.
• After scouring through millions of bacteria and viruses in our gut, the
consortium identified 72 bacterial species, and ~100 bacterial genes
associated with Crohn’s disease.
• We discovered seven bacteria that are strongly associated with aggressive
Crohn’s disease.
• Fourteen distinct bacterial metabolic pathways and 79 bacterial products
have been identified as being associated with IBD. These pathways are
being explored as possible targets for therapies/diagnostic tests.
Genetics Initiative:
• Over 160 genes associated with IBD have been discovered, but their functions are unknown.
• Within its first year, the Genetics Initiative identified five high-priority genetic pathways (groups of genes
involved in one function). At least two of these pathways are targetable by existing chemicals or drugs,
and one of these drugs has already been shown to be safe in humans.
• Three additional pathways are in consideration for the next year of the Genetics Initiative.
Pediatric RISK Study:
• The largest group of pediatric patients in the history of Crohn’s disease studied from the time of diagnosis.
• Enrollment is completed with 29 centers in the United States and Canada and 1,100 total patients recruited.
• The RISK study is collaborating with CCFA’s Genetics Initiative and Microbiome Initiative in order to
predict and determine individualized treatments.
• This study has been able to identify biomarkers that can predict the disease course and severity in kids
with IBD even at the time of diagnosis, a very important and exciting finding.
CCFA Partners:
• CCFA Partners is an online registry of over 14,000 IBD patients from across the country—13,400 adults
and 700 kids.
• Patients enrolled in the online registry fill out surveys about their disease to contribute toward research.
• The success of CCFA Partners was recognized by the US government, and CCFA received a grant from
the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to further develop and expand the CCFA
Partners adult program into a Patient Powered Research Network.
• Key academic publications resulting from CCFA Partners data:
» Vaccination: Vaccine utilization remains suboptimal in patients with IBD, but educational
interventions may increase vaccination rates by clarifying misconceptions. Gastroenterologists can
play a more active role in health care maintenance in patients with IBD by counseling patients on
which vaccines to receive or avoid.
» Diet: A substantial number of IBD patients attempted to follow a gluten free diet (GFD), and the
majority had some form of improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms. Testing a GFD in clinical
practice in patients with significant intestinal symptoms, which are not solely explained by the degree
of intestinal inflammation, has the potential to be a safe and highly efficient therapeutic approach.
Patient and Professional Education and Services
• Served more than 300,000 participants in programs overall in 2014, a 16% YOY increase.
• 12,800 inquiries were answered by the IBD Help Center.
• 12,000 patients and family members attended chapter live in-person education programs.
• Over 28,000 participated in our live and archived IBD education webcast programs.
• Over 100,000 unique visitors accessed the community website.
• Nearly 600 patients and family members participated in our innovative online support group program.
• Over 75,000 unique visitors accessed the I’ll Be Determined website.
• Nearly 7,900 downloads of GI Buddy in 2014, CCFA’s online and mobile disease management tool.
• Over 3,700 participants in monthly Facebook Live program (including comments, likes, and shares).
• Over 900 individuals interacted through three Twitter Chats, CCFA’s newest social media program.
• 1,139 pediatric patients attended Camp Oasis across 12 camp site locations.
Advocacy, Awareness and National Special Events
• 63 active members of Congress in the Crohn’s and Colitis Caucus. Caucus was established in March 2011
to proactively engage legislators on Capitol Hill around issues concerning IBD patients, such as access
(insurance and medication) and research funding.
• CCFA provided testimony at several FDA hearings, leading to new drug approvals for use in treating IBD
patients.
• More than 110 patient advocates attended CCFA Day on the Hill,
participating in over 125 meetings with Senators, Representatives, and
legislative staff.
• Launched the new “Someone You Know” awareness campaign—
$6.8 million in donated ad value.
• CCFA’s flagship site, www.ccfa.org, had 4.2 million users in 2014.
• Social media:
» Facebook: increased to 95,473 likes
» Twitter: 14,000 followers
» YouTube: 187,931 total video views
• Team Challenge engaged 2,209 participants nationwide.
• Take Steps held 156 walks in all 50 states, with 70,000 participants.
www.ccfa.org • [email protected] • 888-694-8872
Other Information
Our goal is to make this year’s Winter Ball a spectacular and entertaining event for all and
we welcome and encourage you to share any suggestions you might have for individuals or
businesses that might want to support you as a Women of Distinction and ultimately the
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation through a donation to this years Auction.
Something New! In an effort to include the special men in our lives in this year’s festivity,
we are launching a Women of Distinction Gentlemen’s Committee. “The Pharaoh’s”, will be
listed in the invitation to the 2016 Winter Ball, in the Winter Ball program, on the CCFA
website, and will receive a few surprise perks including a VIP invitation for two to the Gen-
tlemen’s Committee Party.
The forms detailing both of these opportunities to further support the
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation are attached for your convenience.
We thank you sincerely for all of your support and look forward to what we know will be a
truly special evening!