First Posted: 7/30/2013
Julie Terrana, originally from Wyoming but currently a resident of Philadelphia, is participating in a charity event on Nov. 17 for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. The event, Team Challenge, is a half marathon that will be run in Las Vegas by those who are affected by Crohn’s and Colitis.
Terrana was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2009 and has been on a quest to raise money and awareness for the often debilitating disease. She has set a goal to raise $8,000 for the organization, and has currently raised $4,300.
“While speaking about my disease and informing others of Team Challenge,” she wrote in an email to the Sunday Dispatch, “I have gotten a lot of positive responses and have had others tell me about their struggles with the disease, as well. Most of these people were classmates from Wyoming Area (Class of 2004), so I realized that more people from home need to be informed of this event.”
The link to Terrana’s Team Challenge webpage is http://www.active.com/donations/fundraise_public.cfm?
In her profile on that site, Terrana writes:
In the winter of 2009, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. As a young female at the age of 22, I feared that the disease would forever change my life, preventing me from having a successful career, participating in the activities I enjoy, and spending quality time with friends and family.
I spent the first two years after my diagnosis in and out of the hospital before a temporarily effective treatment plan was put in place. I was faced with having to tell my friends and coworkers about my disease, and was afraid they would begin treating me differently. However, I found that being more open about my disease allowed others to share their experiences with Crohn’s and Colitis, and realized that the more we talk about it, the more tolerable the disease will become.
I had been considered “in remission” for 9 months when I experienced another severe Crohn’s flare two weeks ago that landed me in the hospital for more treatment and evaluation. While medicine is constantly advancing, there is still more research that needs to be done to find a more permanent, effective treatment plan that will lead to remission.
I hope to one day lead a symptom-free life and continue my daily routine without the fear that my disease will prevent me from doing the things I love. I want others affected by the disease to see that they can also find a cure and should feel comfortable reaching out to others in their time of need.
I decided to run for Team Challenge so that I can raise money for further research and development in the treatment of Crohn’s. I also want to educate others about the potentially debilitating disease while showing them that we can live a normal, symptom-free life. I would like those affected by the diseases to know that they should not be embarrassed to talk about it with friends, family, and co-workers so that they have a better understanding of how the disease may affect our lives.
Given the right education and tools, anyone living with Crohn’s or Colitis can learn to manage their symptoms and live a happy, normal, and fulfilling life. I plan to raise $8,000 through Team Challenge Half Marathon for continuing research and educating the public, and show everyone that we will not be slowed down by Crohn’s or Colitis.
On the website, those who wish to may make a donation towards Terrna’s goal. Or, checks written to CCFA may be mailed to: Julie Terrana, 1650 Market Street 29th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103
By the way, Julie is a former Pittston Tomato Festival Queen.
Earns doctorate
Lisa A. Zalepa-King, Syosset, N.Y., formerly of the Wilkes-Barre/Pittston Area, received her Doctorate Degree of Philosophy in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook on May 24. Zalepa-King is the daughter of Ann Zalepa, formerly Ann Marie Phillips of Suscon, and Leonard Zalepa, West Pittston.
Receives award
Kathleen Prest, Pittston, received the Wilbur O. Carthey Achievement Award for her excellence at Shippensburg University. She is a 2011 graduate of Pittston Area and is a junior majoring in Social Work.
Birthday Wishes
Happy birthday wishes to Mike English’s mom, Nora Musto English of Pittston Township who will celebrate on Aug. 5 and to Gracie Miller Proietto of Dupont celebrating on Aug. 6.
Joseph F. Coyne V, Duryea, celebrated his 21st birthday Aug. 3.