SKILLMAN, N.J., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The Crohn's & Colitis
Foundation of America (CCFA) and ConvaTec, a world-leading manufacturer of
ostomy and wound care products, announced today the recipients of the Great
Comebacks(R) Program 2006 Ina Brudnick Scholarship and the Comeback Kids
awards. Abby Ryan, the 2006 Ina Brudnick Scholar, was honored alongside
Lauren Belanger, Becca Davis and Michelle Flude, the 2006 Comeback Kids, in
New York City on November 18th at CCFA's annual meeting.
The Ina Brudnick Scholarship is an extension of the Great Comebacks
Program and honors one deserving high school graduate planning to pursue a
higher education with a $2,500 scholarship. The Great Comebacks Program
also recognizes the inspirational achievements of three young Comeback Kids
between the ages of seven and 17 who are living with Inflammatory Bowel
Disease or IBD, a collective term for Crohn's disease and ulcerative
colitis, or an ostomy.
An estimated 1.4 million Americans are affected by IBD, and
approximately 750,000 are living with an ostomy. The most susceptible to
IBD are adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 35. Ten to
20 percent of those afflicted with IBD develop symptoms, including
persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramps, fever and weight loss,
before the age of 18.
"These remarkable young people were selected because each embodies the
spirit and determination that defines a Great Comeback. By sharing their
stories of perseverance, they provide hope to thousands of other children
and young adults living with what can be very debilitating conditions,"
said Rolf Benirschke, former San Diego Chargers place-kicker, IBD patient
and chairman of the Great Comebacks Committee.
2006 Ina Brudnick Scholarship Recipient
- Abby Ryan, of La Crosse, WI, is an active member of CCFA, United
Ostomy Association of America (UOAA) and the Miss America Pageant. She
was diagnosed with IBD as an infant and underwent ileostomy surgery at
age 11. Through her affiliation with the Miss America pageant, Ryan has
been honored as Miss La Crosse/Oktoberfest 2001, Miss Western Wisconsin
and Miss Midwest and hopes to become the first Miss Wisconsin with an
ostomy. She is currently attending the University of Wisconsin at La
Crosse, majoring in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood minor
and has made the Dean's List five times.
The 2006 Comeback Kids Recipients
- Lauren Belanger (Crohn's), of Travis Air Force Base, CA, was diagnosed
with Crohn's disease as a 3rd grader. She was selected for her
extracurricular involvement in acting, volunteer work at her local
homeless shelter and service as a CCFA youth ambassador.
- Becca Davis (Ulcerative Colitis), of Appletown, WI, was diagnosed with
ulcerative colitis at the age of 10. For Davis, her participation as a
camper at CCFA's Camp Oasis was a life-changing experience that provided
her with the encouragement to help other teens facing IBD. Since camp,
Davis has participated in multiple fundraisers benefiting CCFA chapters,
Camp Oasis and a local IBD youth support group.
- Michelle Flude (Ostomy), of Anaheim, CA, entered her senior year of high
school looking forward to varsity softball, prom, and senior activities.
She knew managing the symptoms of IBD combined with the stress of her
senior year would be a challenge, but through her perseverance she
maintained a 4.0 GPA, passed three AP tests and was an active
volunteer with her local CCFA chapter. Currently Flude is a freshman at
Northern Arizona University.
"For young patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis,
recovery is as difficult emotionally as it is physically because this is a
key developmental phase in the life of any young person," says Richard J.
Geswell, CCFA President. "That's why it's important that support networks
like Great Comebacks and CCFA keep reaching out on a regional and community
level, recognizing children and young adults for their individual strength
and also for what they have given back to other young people."
"Through more than two decades of the Great Comebacks(R) Program, it
has been gratifying and exciting to watch how this program continues to
grow," added Dave Johnson, president of ConvaTec. "Today we honor not only
these recipients, but also those who supported them in their
accomplishments and those they will go on to inspire at ConvaTec. Their
stories drive us to provide the technology and support that aids in their
ability to achieve great comebacks."
About the Ina Brudnick Scholarship
In the memory of Ina Brudnick, an enterostomal nurse involved in the
development and advancement of ostomy care, ConvaTec awards each year a
$2,500 scholarship to a deserving high school graduate, 24 years of age or
younger, who intends to pursue a higher education. The student must have
undergone ostomy surgery and/or have had Crohn's disease or ulcerative
colitis.
About Comeback Kids
Comeback Kids, originally known as the Local Hero Patient Celebration
Program, recognizes young individuals between the ages of seven and 17 who,
despite having IBD and/or an ostomy, live active, productive lives while
managing their illness. The award is sponsored jointly by the CCFA and
ConvaTec.
About Great Comebacks
Each year, the Great Comebacks program recognizes adults, children and
teenagers who are living with IBD, colorectal cancer or an ostomy. Begun in
1984 by former San Diego Charger place-kicker and ulcerative colitis
patient Rolf Benirschke, Great Comebacks provides hope, inspiration and
education to support patients and their families. More information on the
Great Comebacks Program is available 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.
About CCFA
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America's (CCFA) mission is 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. More than 80 cents of
every dollar the Foundation spends goes to mission-critical programs. CCFA
consistently meets the standards of organizations that monitor charities,
including the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance (give.org) and
the American Institute of Philanthropy (charitywatch.org). For more
information, contact CCFA at 800-932-2423 or visit http://www.ccfa.org.
Contact: Ian Leggat Pete Paradossi
Weber Shandwick Bristol-Myers Squibb
Phone: 212-445-8265 Phone: 812-429-7413
E-mail: ileggat@webershandwick.com E-mail: pete.paradossi@bms.com
SOURCE ConvaTec, A Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
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Related links:
http://www.convatec.com
http://www.greatcomebacks.com http://www.ccfa.org
CONTACT:
Ian Leggat of Weber Shandwick,
+1-212-445-8265, ileggat@webershandwick.com; or Pete Paradossi of
Bristol-Myers Squibb, +1-812-429-7413, pete.paradossi@bms.com
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