Honorees
Everyone’s inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) journey is unique. At Take Steps, we want to honor your story. Honored Heroes share their stories to let other patients know they are not alone in this fight. That’s the Take Steps Effect.
Through their stories, Honorees raise awareness and funds to support the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s mission and commitment to creating a new future for people living with IBD and their families.
lucy & luke Zerkle
Our family’s journey with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) began about ten years ago. At first, I noticed minor symptoms and subtle digestive changes. Concerned, I sought medical advice, saw a specialist, and was ultimately diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. However, at the time, I didn’t fully grasp the significance of the diagnosis. Having grown up as a healthy, active athlete, I assumed these health issues were temporary setbacks. For a while, I tried to
push them aside and carry on as usual.
Unfortunately, the symptoms grew too severe to ignore. By the fall of 2023, I had lost a significant amount of weight and was battling malnutrition, leading to my first hospitalization. Around the same time, my oldest daughter Lucy—just four years old—began showing symptoms strikingly similar to what I had experienced years earlier. After extensive testing, she was diagnosed with Very Early Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Lucy’s diagnosis was a turning point. During her first hospitalization, I made a promise: I would either find an organization dedicated to curing IBD or start one myself.
That search led me to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Their mission—to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life for children and adults affected by these diseases—was exactly what I had been looking for. Inspired by their work, my family formed our first Take Steps team in 2024 to raise funds and awareness for this important cause.
2024 was just the beginning. Until cures are found for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, my family and I are committed to being part of the fight—one step at a time.
emily scott
It is an honor and joy to be chosen as the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s 2025 Take Steps Honored Healthcare Hero. I feel privileged to work alongside incredible leaders in the field of IBD, many of whom have played a significant role in my own training, and I am certainly humbled to represent us all during this year’s walk.
While you will recognize me as this year’s healthcare hero, my journey with IBD started long before earning my degree and ultimately pursuing a career in this field. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease at age 16. While it is important to acknowledge some of the challenges I have faced with Crohn's, this disease does not define me. Instead, it sparked my desire to pursue a career helping people who are fighting my same disease and grow a deeper empathy for each patient along the way. If my 16-year-old self could have a glimpse of my future – happy, healthy, in remission (!), caring for others with IBD – those initial unknowns and diagnosis fears may have felt a little less scary.
I would not be in the position I am today without the incredible support of my husband, parents, in-laws and very large village of friends and family. They have each played a unique role as ‘caretaker’ during my journey with Crohn’s. The caretaker role can often weigh just as heavy– we see you, we recognize you, we could not do this without you.
I am a proud team member of University of Cincinnati’s IBD Program. Our patient-focused, multidisciplinary approach is allowing more and more patients to achieve their short- and long-term goals, while aiming for the ultimate goal of lasting remission. We know that IBD is not “one size fits all” and our evidence-based practice helps us individualize care for each one of our patients. I am excited to come to work each day knowing we are advancing the field of inflammatory bowel disease through quality care, clinical trials, crucial research, and continuing education. I am grateful for each patient that allows us to be a part of his/her+ story.
Our collaboration and partnership with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation plays a crucial role in advancing the field of IBD. Take Steps is an incredible annual event that allows patients, caretakers, healthcare providers and supporters to come together as a community to raise funds to further the mission of The Foundation. Together, we can find a cure!
kristin sampsel
I was diagnosed in 2006 at the age of 22 after experiencing “textbook” Crohn’s symptoms of weight loss, diarrhea, lethargy, anemia, etc. Upon initial diagnosis, I had to remind myself that Crohn’s is CHRONIC, but NOT TERMINAL. With that mindset, I always tell people that I have had an easy journey compared to others. I was diagnosed quickly, immediately placed on a biologic, and have only undergone 1 surgery. I maintain a full-time job, play sand volleyball twice a week, set-up at 2 farmers markets and spend time with friends and families. I do NOT let Crohn’s define my life and advocate for myself and other patients as often as I can. I have trouble remembering how many years I’ve been involved with and supporting the foundation though Take Steps, but it has been an annual event for my family for many years. Supporting the Foundation is my way of giving back and making a difference for other IBD patients like me who are not as lucky as I am.
To nominate a Take Steps Honoree, please complete this form.
