MEDIA ADVISORY

Media Contact:
Ariella Levine
646-943-7430
alevine@ccfa.org

National Expert Addresses Inflammatory Bowel Disease Risks and Treatments During Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Interactive Teleconference/Webcast

Registration Open for June 9 Event

WHO:
Collectively known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic digestive diseases affecting over 1.4 million Americans. There are many treatment options for IBD but many patients are worried about the side effects. Weighing the risks and benefits of treatment options can be an overwhelming and complicated process. Whether a patient is newly diagnosed, has lived with Crohn's or colitis for years, or has a loved one who suffers from IBD, it is important to understand how to go about choosing treatments and learning about what's best for each individual.

WHAT:
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation is hosting an interactive educational teleconference/webcast, supported by an educational grant by UCB. Balancing the Risks and Benefits of Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases has been developed to meet the needs of patients seeking answers to questions regarding treatment.

Nationally-recognized expert, Corey A. Siegel, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Dartmouth Medical Center and Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, will speak on this live event and take questions from listeners.

WHY:

Since 1990, there has been a dramatic increase both in the scope of research and in the development of medications to treat Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. As a result, people with IBD have more treatment options than ever before. Dr. Siegel will answer questions such as:

What are the side effects of IBD medications?

When should surgery be considered?

How can I decide on the treatment that is right for me?

WHEN:
Tuesday, June 9, 1 pm EST.

WHERE:
Dial-in from any phone to hear the presentation and participate in an interactive question-and-answer session, or log on to any computer to hear the presentation, see the program slides and submit questions.

Registration is available at no cost to participants via an online portal at www.ccfa.org/webcasts/risksandbenefits and by phone at 877-547-5641, ext. 312.

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.

About UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative medicines with a focus on the fields of central nervous system and immunology disorders. Employing approximately 10 000 people in over 40 countries, UCB generated revenue of EUR 3.6 billion in 2008. The company's North American headquarters is in Atlanta. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB).

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