Global Advocates Honor US Firefighter Scott Ellis for His Comeback from
Ostomy Surgery, and Send Off Seven Summits Climber Robert Hill on Everest
Expedition
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Scott Ellis, a firefighter from
Enfield, Connecticut was named this year's Great Comebacks(R) National
Award recipient this evening at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Founded in
1984 by former San Diego Charger and ulcerative colitis patient Rolf
Benirschke, the Great Comebacks Program recognizes the inspirational
achievements of people who prevail over debilitating intestinal diseases,
colorectal cancer and ostomy surgery.
(LOGO: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080227/NYW005LOGO )
During the ceremony, the gathering of national and international
advocates also recognized Seven Summits climber Robert Hill on the eve of
his departure for Mount Everest, the final peak in his quest to become the
first Crohn's patient and ostomate to scale the Seven Summits, or tallest
mountains on each of the continents.
This year, the Great Comebacks Program also welcomed two new sponsors,
the United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. (UOAA) and the Intestinal
Disease Education and Awareness Society (IDEAS) -- joining long-time
program sponsors ConvaTec, a world-leading manufacturer of ostomy and wound
care products, and the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation (CCFA).
In the United States, an estimated 1.4 million people are affected by
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)(1), a collective term for Crohn's disease
and ulcerative colitis. Additionally, 750,000 Americans are living with an
ostomy due to either IBD, colorectal cancer or other chronic bowel or
bladder diseases.(2)
"Tonight is a celebration of special individuals like Scott and Rob,
who have come through their experiences filled with courage and a desire to
help others who face similar challenges," said Rolf Benirschke, founder and
chairman of the Great Comebacks Program. "We are delighted to welcome two
new partners, dedicated to our mission of providing hope and encouragement
to the thousands of patients and their families coping with these
diseases."
Each year, the Great Comebacks Advisory Committee chooses regional
Great Comebacks Award recipients, from whom one is selected as the national
award recipient. Besides Ellis, this year's regional recipients were Wendy
Lueder of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Mike Florak of Boardman, OH; and Jeffrey
Larsen of Seattle, WA.
"These remarkable individuals embody the spirit and determination that
defines a Great Comeback. Their examples inspire all of us at ConvaTec
every day in our efforts to develop innovative technologies and provide
products and support that help people with ostomies live a healthier life,"
added David Johnson, President of ConvaTec.
More information about this year's national and regional recipients is
available at http://www.greatcomebacks.com.
Scott Ellis, 2007 National Great Comebacks(R) Recipient
Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis when he was 9 years old, Scott Ellis
grew up determined to not let his disease stop him from following in his
family's tradition of becoming a firefighter.
Growing up, he enjoyed participating in physical activities such as
hiking, camping and swimming. At the age of 16, a year after his first
ostomy surgery, Ellis joined the firefighter cadet program, beginning his
journey of saving lives. Six years later, at 22, he joined the ranks of
professional firefighters. During his grueling training, which included
extreme physical tests, Ellis' ostomy was never mentioned. In fact, members
of his class never even knew he was living with an ostomy unless he chose
to share the information with them.
Ellis, now 36, wants to show other persons with an ostomy that surgery
can be a beginning rather than an end. "My disease has made me appreciate
life, especially my family, to the fullest," he said. "I am thankful that
such medical procedures were available to me and that I have gone on to
reach my dreams and lead a full life. Now, I want to help others push
through their hardships."
Robert Hill, Seven Summits Climber
At 23 years of age, Robert Hill was an avid mountain climber, adventure
racer and triathlete. Then, wracked by debilitating diarrhea, cramping and
pain, he was diagnosed with Crohn's disease with ulcerative colitis,
resulting in ostomy surgery only a year and a half later.
Eight years after his life changing surgery, Hill decided to do
something about the social stigma surrounding intestinal diseases and
having an ostomy. He began a personal quest to become the first Crohn's
patient and ostomate to climb the Seven Summits, or the tallest peak on
every continent, and in doing so, raise awareness about living with
inflammatory bowel disease and an ostomy. From being barely able to make it
up a flight of stairs due to the debilitating effects of his condition,
Hill has now completed six of the Seven Summits, most recently Carstensz
Pyramid on the Oceanic continent in April of 2007.
"The Seven Summits campaign grew from my love of sports, adventure and
the outdoors. By taking it to the extreme, and on a global basis, I hope to
show people everywhere that having these diseases or having an ostomy, like
I do, shouldn't stop anyone from leading a full life," said Hill. "You may
not be able to climb mountains, but there are so many other things that you
can do."
He intends to complete his final summit, the biggest peak of all --
Mount Everest -- this spring. As a global ambassador of the Great
Comebacks(R) Program, Hill travels the world, speaking with patients about
his experiences and encouraging people to get out and conquer their own
personal summits.
About the Great Comebacks(R) Program
Now in its third decade, the Great Comebacks(R) Program honors
inspirational individuals who, by sharing their stories, give hope and
encouragement so that others, too, can reclaim their lives and pursue their
dreams. Sponsored by ConvaTec, a world-leading manufacturer of ostomy and
wound care products, with the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation (CCFA), the
United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) and the Intestinal Diseases
Education and Awareness Society (IDEAS), the program also provides
educational materials and support for patients facing the physical and
emotional challenges of these debilitating diseases and transitioning to
life after surgery. For more information, visit the program at
http://www.greatcomebacks.com.
About ConvaTec
ConvaTec, a world-leading manufacturer of ostomy and wound care
products with a heritage of caring about patients, is a Bristol-Myers
Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY). Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global pharmaceutical
and related health care products company. For more information, please call
800-422-8811 or visit http://www.convatec.com.
Note to Editors:
Photography of the Great Comebacks(R) National Award Dinner is
available. For more information, please contact Etanjalie Ayala at (212)
445-8225 or eayala@webershandwick.com.
References
(1) Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Organization Web Site. Viewed
at: http://www.ccfa.org/about/press/idbfacts. Accessed February 22,
2008.
(2) Wolfe MJ. UOA Facts and Figures. Ostomy Association of Boston.
March/April 1999. In United Ostomy Association Inc. Evansville Indiana
Chapter Re-Route Newsletter. 2000 Oct;(28)1.Viewed at
http://www.ostomy.evansville.net/octobernews2.htm. Accessed February
22, 2008.
Great Comebacks is a registered trademark of E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
(C) 2008 E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
Contacts:
Punnie Donohue Nimisha Savani Pete Paradossi
Weber Shandwick ConvaTec Bristol-Myers Squibb
Phone: 201-704-2263 Phone: 908-904-2522 Phone: 812-429-7413
PDonohue@webershandwick.com Nimisha.Savani@bms.com Pete.Paradossi@bms.com
SOURCE Great Comebacks
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Related links:
http://www.greatcomebacks.com
http://www.convatec.com/
Photo Notes:
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080227/NYW005LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Punnie Donohue of Weber Shandwick,
+1-201-704-2263, PDonohue@webershandwick.com; Nimisha Savani of
ConvaTec, +1-908-904-2522, Nimisha.Savani@bms.com; Pete Paradossi
of Bristol-Myers Squibb, +1-812-429-7413, Pete.Paradossi@bms.com
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