Crohn's and Colitis Foundation's "IBD Day on the Hill" Ushers in Important Bipartisan Bill in US Congress

Legislation Seeks to Expand Federal Funding for Digestive Disease Research

May 11, 2009—Washington, D.C.—The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation today announced that in conjunction with its annual visit to Congress on behalf of the over 1.4 million American children and adults afflicted with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, The IBD Research and Awareness Act was introduced on May 6th in the House (H.R. 2275) by Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL). Lead Republican co-sponsors included Representatives Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) and Michael Castle (R-DE). In the Senate (S. 981) it was introduced by Harry Reid (D-NV) and lead Republican co-sponsor Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS). During the annual event, over 100 Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis advocates from around the country met with over 100 legislators from their local districts and urged them to co-sponsor this important piece of legislation.
 
This legislation would:

Encourage Congress to provide funding to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease at NIH for expanded research on IBD.

Authorize, for five years, an IBD Epidemiology Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Authorize the establishment of a Pediatric IBD Patient Registry at the CDC.

Authorize the establishment of an IBD Awareness Program at the CDC.

On May 6th at the event's reception and dinner program, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation honored two political and media leaders who have helped raise awareness of these diseases. The "2009 Public Policy Leadership Award" was presented to Congressman Ander Crenshaw of Florida's 4th District, who has been instrumental in bringing this and other IBD-related legislation to Congress. CCFA also honored Bob Schieffer, Face the Nation Moderator and CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent, with its "CCFA Public Awareness Broadcast Media Award" for his dedication to raising public and patient awareness of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, "below the belt diseases that we need to talk about," according to Mr. Schieffer.

"The advocates who attended IBD Day on the Hill came from around the country to Washington D.C. on May 6th and May 7th to tell legislators why they should support this new important piece of legislation," said Rick Geswell, President of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. "Not only did adults share deeply personal stories of long stays in the hospital, surgeries including bowel resections, and colon cancer resulting from IBD, but the large groups of children and young adults shared stories of missing days of school, sports games, and prom, along with delayed and stunted growth from their inflamed digestive tracts not being able to absorbs the nutrients they so needed to grow. They poured their hearts out with these personal experiences to tell their officials why it is critical that we fund more research now to find better treatments and intimately a cure."

About Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are painful, medically incurable illnesses that attack the digestive system. Crohn's disease may attack anywhere from the mouth to the anus, while ulcerative colitis inflames only the large intestine (colon). Symptoms may include abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever and weight loss. Many patients require hospitalization and surgery.  These illnesses can cause severe complications, including colon cancer in patients with long-term disease. Some 1.4 million American adults and children suffer from Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, with as many as 150,000 under the age of 18.  Most people develop the diseases between the ages of 15 and 35.

About the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America's mission is to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases. The Foundation ranks third among leading health non-profits in the percentage of expense devoted to research toward a cure, with more than 81 cents of every dollar the Foundation spends goes to mission-critical programs. The Foundation 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 the Foundation at 800-932-2423 or visit www.ccfa.org.

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