The Georgia Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (CCFA) announces the 21st Annual Torch Gala at the InterContinental Buckhead hotel in Atlanta on January 28. For the past 20 years, this dinner dance and silent auction has been the largest single fundraiser of the year for the Georgia Chapter and attracts Atlanta's finest and most generous philanthropists who recognize that a history of commitment and service is a window to a future cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. With a mission to cure and prevent Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis through research and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these digestive diseases through education and support, the Torch Gala has raised over $5.1 million to date.

Steve Goodman, Katie Goodman, Richard Davis, Ann Davis, Jay Davis, Matt Lieberman and Elizabeth Lieberman.

Atlanta residents Ann and Jay Davis and their son, Richard, are the 2012 Torch Gala Citizens of the Year. The Davises are devoted fundraisers, volunteers and advocates for CCFA. Over the years, they have joined planning committees, engaged in grassroots fundraising efforts and participated in each special event and campaign. Recognizing the importance of research, the Davis family played an integral role in establishing the groundwork for the Human Gut Microbiome Initiative by being the first major donors to the project. Through this initiative, CCFA is able to empower more scientists to study the intestinal community of microbes, therefore furthering the accomplishments in the field of inflammatory bowel disease research.

Table sponsorships are available. Individual reservations begin at $300. There will be a silent auction and raffle. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Amy Suiter, CCFA Development Manager at 404/982-0616 or asuiter@ccfa.org.

About CCFA
The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) was founded in 1967 and is the only nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis: two very painful and life-long digestive diseases (collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease - IBD). There is no known cure for these intestinal diseases that can cause life-threatening complications. Approximately 1.5 million Americans are living with these diseases.