Honorees
Take Steps Honorees understand first-hand how difficult — and empowering — it can be to live with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Honored Heroes share their stories to let other patients know they are not alone on their journeys — because no one should face the challenges and uncertainty of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in isolation. Through their stories, Honorees raise awareness of these diseases, raise funds in support of the Foundation’s mission, and inspire hope in those living with IBD.
To nominate a Take Steps Honoree, please contact your local walk staff.
Elise Renouard
Hi! I am Elise Renouard, and I am thrilled to be a 2023 Honored Hero! I am a junior at DSHA High School. My family consists of my mom and dad, my sister, Gillian, and my brother, Michael. During the summer, we love to spend time outside at our lake house. In the winter, I love to ski and play club volleyball. I am a very curious person, and being diagnosed with Crohn’s sparked my interest in one day studying medicine and entering the medical field.
I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2018 at the age of 12. Throughout the last 5 years, I have tried many things to reach remission: colonoscopies, enemas, suppositories, pills, infusions. We hope this is finally the year I jump the last hurdle and reach remission! Figuring out how to navigate Crohn’s has definitely been a challenge, but with the help of an amazing support system, I can now confidently say that I am proud to have Crohn’s Disease – I wouldn’t be me without it. As an Honored Hero, I hope to increase awareness about IBD and the importance of finding a cure, instill hope in IBD patients through my story, and raise funds to support the inspiring mission of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. I can’t wait to see what 2023 brings!
Drew White
Drew White is a proud dad, husband, Green Bay Packers fan and Managing Director for the Lueder Financial Group Brookfield office. As an extremely active high school freshman, Drew played through his basketball season with symptoms of what, many months later, would be diagnosed as Crohn's disease. For Drew, waiting on the diagnosis meant many tests, hardly eating and living through frequent pain. Living in Elkhorn, it meant driving to Children's Wisconsin- an hour drive each way- to find answers.
Once he received his diagnosis, Drew was able to manage his Crohn's disease with medication. This gave him the chance to fulfill his dream of becoming a sports reporter, an adventure that allowed him to cover the Packers, and land in Lincoln, Nebraska for several years, where he met his wife Casey. In 2015, Drew & Casey returned to Wisconsin, where he changed careers, they got married, and in 2019 they welcomed their first son, Beckett. In 2021, Brooks joined the family.
Of course there have been bumps in the road- hospitalizations, medication changes, tests and concerns- but Drew is grateful his journey with Crohn's disease has been mild and allowed him to do the things he loves- like golf as often as possible and watch any sport he can find on TV.
While Drew and his family have been involved with the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation-Wisconsin Chapter for many years, the stakes were raised with the addition of their boys. Now, tummy troubles come with the ever-present wonder... could it be? They've always been passionate about supporting the fight for cures and Drew can't wait to Take Steps as the honored hero this year. If not for him, but for his boys and the many people who need better medications, better treatment and a cure.
