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Laura |
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Sam |
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Born and raised in Cedar
Rapids, Iowa. Now living in Minneapolis. |
Where are you from? |
Born in Coos Bay, Oregon
and grew up in Madison, South Dakota. Also living in
Minneapolis. |
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At the CCFA Bowl-A-Thon in 2003. |
Where did you two meet? |
Ditto. |
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Marketing consultant with
Wells Fargo |
What is your profession? |
Accounting manager with
Parker Hannifin |
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I was diagnosed with
ulcerative colitis at age 20 and Crohn’s colitis at age
27. My mom also lives with Crohn’s disease. I’ve had
intermittent flares and tried many different
medications, but currently I’m in remission taking just
Colazal. |
When were you diagnosed?
What treatments have you endured? |
I was diagnosed with
ulcerative colitis at age 18. I underwent a
proctocolectomy with ileoanal reservoir (j-pouch) at age
19. My grandfather also lived with Crohn’s disease. |
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Along with Sam, I run a local support group in Minneapolis/St. Paul. |
In addition to this ride, how are you involved in the fight against IBD? |
What Laura said. I am also the treasurer of the CCFA Minnesota/Dakotas chapter. |
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Counting Toyota Priuses. |
How will you keep your sanity during this lengthy ride?
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Stopping at microbreweries along the way. |
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Working in Glacier National Park after college. |
What was your greatest experience before the ride? |
Running the Leadville Trail
100 race with my brother. |
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I’m fascinated by
architecture and design. I also enjoy reading memoirs
and non-fiction and going to the movies to see
documentaries and quirky foreign films. Travel, the
outdoors, and small-town gems are always fun. I love
small venues that host great alternative bands. |
What are your interests? |
Like Laura, I love to
travel and listen to great music. I enjoy following my
sports teams – in good times and in bad. I am also
fascinated by politics, the Civil War, and history.
Someday I hope to have a dog. |
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Our honeymoon in Provence. |
What’s been your
favorite trip? |
Eloping to Yosemite – and
this cross-country trip when we finish! |
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Hike the John Muir and
Superior hiking trails; a volunteer outing overseas.
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After this ride, what is
your next big adventure? |
Russia? Alaska? Finland?
Iceland? Churchill? |
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Cyclists
in the News |
CCFA Minnesota/Dakotas
Chapter
In July 2006, Sam and Laura Kirstein will embark on an
amazing bike ride across America to raise awareness and
funding for IBD.
Read More
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Mayo Clinic
In late summer 2006, the Kirsteins are planning to bike
across the country -- more than 4,000 miles from
Seattle, Washington to Portland, Maine.
Read More
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Minnesota Gastroenterology,
P.A.
After years of living with chronic digestive diseases
that people only whisper about, Sam and Laura Kirstein
are talking.
Read More
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Aberdeen News
Cross-country bike tour raises money for illness awareness
Read More
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The Rapid City Journal
Bike tour raises money for recognition of illness
Read More
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Sioux City Journal
Cross-country bike tour raises money for illness awareness
Read More
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Minot Daily News
Raising awareness one mile at a time
Read More
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