Night of Steel Presented by UPMC and UPMC Health Plan HonorsLocal Volunteer, Rachel Stackiewicz, and Allegheny Health Network CEO, Cynthia Hundorfean
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia chapter invites the community to the third annual Night of Steel premier fundraising event on Saturday, Oct. 24. Presented by UPMC and UPMC Health Plan, and together with community partners, volunteers and donors, Night of Steel celebrates the Foundation’s mission to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases.
As part of the celebration, the chapter will honor Rachel Stackiewicz, local volunteer and senior at the University of Pittsburgh, and Cynthia Hundorfean, CEO and president of Allegheny Health Network, for their dedicationto furtheringthe Foundation’s mission.
“In these uncertain times, our work to cure IBD and improve the lives of the 3.1 million Americans living with these illnesses is more important than ever,” said Eric Hecker, executive director of the Foundation’s Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia chapter. “We are thrilled to honor Rachel and Cynthia for the incredible work they do for our chapter. Thank you to our presenting sponsors UPMC and UPMC Health Plan for their ongoing partnership and dedication to the care ofIBD patients. We are grateful for the opportunity to host Night of Steel to celebrate the Foundation’s milestones, our partnerships and our local community.”
UPMC and UPMC Health Plan arelong-standing partners in the Foundation’s mission to cure inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In addition toproviding funding support, UPMC and UPMC Health Plan organize teams for the annual Take Steps fundraising walk, distribute educationalmaterials,and advocate for IBD patients.Medical professionals with the UPMC Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center partner with the chapter in the care and education of patients, including through the chapter’s recent IBD patient webinar series and other advocacy opportunities.
“UPMC, the UPMC IBD Center and the Crohn’s &Colitis Foundation share the common goals of making life changing advances in the field of IBD and providing the very best care for people with IBD,” said Dr. Marc Schwartz, physician with UPMC Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and 2019 Night of Steel Excellence in Healthcare Honoree.“We have been fortunate to partner on groundbreaking research as well as extensive patient education and outreach. This is all done with the single goal of improving the quality of life for everyone with IBD until we find a cure. We do it for the patients. We do it for their friends and family. We do it for Pittsburgh.”
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization uniting to cure IBD and care for those affected by these diseases. Over the last 50 years, the Foundation has investedover $350 million to acceleratecritical research. The Foundation’s Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia chapter engages and empowers local patients and caregivers through support groups, partnerships with regional healthcare providers, and educational and advocacy programs.
Night of Steel presented by UPMC and UPMC Health Plan will be a reimagined virtual experience celebrating the best of Pittsburgh. Guests are invited to an evening of entertainment, featuring a craft cocktail demonstrationhosted bythe Cocktail Guru and standup comedywith Casey Balsham. Each guest will receive a curated kit including cocktail ingredients and locally sourced foods to enjoy during the event.
Night of Steel will be held Saturday, Oct. 24 from 7-7:45 p.m. Tickets are available for $125 for individuals, $200 for couples or $600 for groups. To purchase, visit https://one.bidpal.net/nos20/welcome.
To learn more about the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and its work in the community, visit www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/wpawv.
About the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to finding cures for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life for the estimated 3.1 million Americans living with these diseases. For over 50 years, we have been inspiring and engaging patients and caregivers in the country’s largest inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) community and helping to dramatically accelerate the pace of research. TheWestern Pennsylvania/West Virginia chapter unites the community of patients, caregivers and medical professionals through support groups, partnerships with regional healthcare providers, and educational and advocacy programs. For more information, visit www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org.
About UPMC and UPMC Health Plan
At the UPMC Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, our gastroenterologists specialize in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Home to one of the largest IBD-subspecialist gastroenterologist teams in the nation, we provide experienced care for patients suffering from IBD and we offer access to the most effective medications and treatments available. Our center also includes experts in nutrition and behavioral health who specialize in IBD, allowing us to work with patients to develop a highly personalized treatment plan. At UPMC, we are at the forefront of care for IBD and we are continuously searching for new and more effective methods of IBD treatment through our active research and clinical trial program.
