Tag: Ulcerative Colitis

A Special Night in Denver. “The 2026 Modell Award Winner Is ………..” March 5, 2026

by reissmd, posted in Denver

Patrice and I find ourselves in Denver, Colorado.  Loyal followers of the blog know that we have already been to Coors Field in our quest to visit all 30 MLB stadiums so that is not the reason we are here.  Even if we hadn’t been to Coors Field, it is very tough to see an MLB game in early March unless you are in Florida or Arizona.   No, we are in Denver for a much different reason.

Many of you on this blog have helped me raise money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation in order to fund research needed to find a cure for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease known collectively as Inflammatory Bowel Disease.  Each year we participate in a fundraiser called Take Steps where we walk to raise awareness of this problem and raise money for this fine organization.  Last year our team (“Team Reiss”) surpassed $1.000,000 in total funds raised.  In recognition of this milestone the Foundation is giving me the Modell Award honoring the Foundation’s Volunteer of The Year.  When I first heard that I was being given the award I was taken aback.  My motivation in raising money for the organization has always been to help people suffering from these diseases.  You probably know that 2 of our 3 children have IBD.  Yes our son, David, and our youngest daughter, Erica, have Crohn’s disease.  I am hopeful that my continued fundraising will help us find the cure in my lifetime. 

Prior to receiving the award there was a heartwarming video shown with a variety of people congratulating me.  By the time I got to the stage to accept the award I was a sniveling mess.  I can hear you now, “Robert crying?  Is the Pope from Chicago?”

Yes, I was emotional but I managed to make it to the stage and thank people for the honor and their support.  Two of my biggest supporters, Patrice and David, were in the audience, which of course made it even more special. 

No food pictures, no monuments, no star sightings, no just one happy husband and father.

Do I look happy? With my son and wife, how could I not be happy?

If you would like to be a member of Team Reiss please use the link below.  If you are a regular donor, don’t worry your email will be on its way very soon.  If you are new to the fight please accept my thanks in advance and if you don’t receive an email please contact me.

Join me in helping end Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (see the link below)

https://takesteps.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/participant/TeamReiss

New York and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation Day 3 “Birthday Celebration?” November 7, 2019

by reissmd, posted in New York City

Today is Patrice’s birthday. What a wonderful idea to enjoy your birthday in the “Big Apple”. Well, not quite. Today we spent the entire day in an office with a bunch of researchers much smarter than me (I know that isn’t saying much) discussing proposals for funding of inflammatory bowel disease research. Patrice and I act as Stakeholders for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. As such we review applications for funding by the Foundation and voice our opinions about which studies should be approved. At the meeting we sit amongst a bunch of researchers who discuss very technical proposals and we try to understand what is being said. The experience for me is like watching Spanish television. I understand a word or two but the meaning often escapes me. Needless to say, this is not how you would probably plan to spend your birthday. But it is incredibly rewarding to feel like we are helping the cause that means so much to us.

After the meeting I wanted to go to the hotel gym and work out. But I didn’t.

Instead we did a bit of chilling in the room until heading out for a birthday dinner celebration at Gramercy Tavern (42 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003). This place was recommended to us by one of the managers at The Modern where we dined two nights earlier. Apparently one of their former employees is the general manager at Gramercy Tavern. Both restaurants have the same owner.

Patrice has said that The Modern is her favorite restaurant. Well Gramercy Tavern is right up there too. This restaurant has had a Michelin star rating for the past 11 years (The Modern has two Michelin stars). The food was incredible as was the service. It was not just food but rather an experience.

They started us off with Roasted Cauliflower with whipped Ricotta Cheese to
“Wake up your palette”
Next we had “Whole Wheat Angel Rolls with Goat Cheese Butter”

Those first two items were just add ons. Next we had the first thing we actually ordered and that was:

Ruby Red Shrimp

I can’t begin to tell you how luscious this was. The shrimp were perfectly prepared. The sauce is making my mouth water as I write this sentence. The only thing that kept me from licking the plate clean were these magic words from Patrice, “If you do that, I swear, I will walk out of the restaurant and not look back for one second”. Yes, that stopped me but I would be lying if I didn’t say II did mull over my options.

Then they brought out our main course selections:

Patrice ordered: “Winter Skate with Butterball Potatoes and Almond Butter Sauce”

I never heard of Skate (fish that is) so I looked it up. It looks very much like a stingray. Not very appetizing looking but her dish was spectacular. I ordered:

Striped Bass with Cauliflower Puree Sauce

This dish tasted even better than it looked. The sauce was a bit spicy but I loved it.

The staff knew it was Patrice’s birthday so they personalized her dessert.

Apple Upside Down Cake with a personalized message
I ordered “Chocolate Hazelnut Custard”

As a present they brought us:

Chocolate Pudding Cake

And just in case we didn’t have enough sugar they brought us a couple of candies.

Peach and Amaretto on the left; Pear and Clove on the right,.

We paid the bill and had to get out before we developed diabetes. But they were not done,

Chocolate Banana Amaretto Cake as a to go gift for breakfast in the morning.

I need to go to the gym.

But first I need a nap.