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New Community Web Site Connects Digestive Disease Patients to Critical Support
Thousands of visitors experience site's interactive features
New York, NY—June 2, 2008—In just three months since the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America launched a new interactive web site, the Crohn's and Colitis Community (www.ccfacommunity.org), over 25,000 people of diverse backgrounds and ages have visited and over 1,200 people have joined this online peer support community.
Launched to meet the dynamic needs of patient groups, it serves as a free resource to provide patients and families with the vital peer support they need in managing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's and colitis are painful and chronic diseases that affect 1.4 million Americans. As many as 150,000 children under the age of 18 suffer from these diseases. While the Foundation invests in research for better therapies and prevention, it recognizes the need to offer support and resources to its patients, today.
"Through ccfacommunity.org, patients, family members, and health care professionals from around the country and abroad, who share the common thread of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are able to instantly go online to join discussions and post stories—enabling them to offer and receive critical support and share their powerful stories on an unprecedented level," says Kimberly Frederick, Vice President of Patient and Professional Services for the Foundation. "These interactions are inspirational to site visitors who are all coping with the ups and downs of living with these diseases."
One such person who recently joined this new interactive web site is 40-year-old Crohn's patient, Liz Molloy. This Wauconda, IL resident was the site's 1,000th registered visitor. Using the site to find information and resources, she participated in the new community feature to connect to others facing similar struggles. "Sometimes, living with inflammatory bowel disease can be very isolating and it helps to communicate with others who have the same struggles," says Molloy, who recently had her first surgery.
"It is important to hear what other people with these diseases are experiencing, and so, I found it very helpful to go on the discussion board and read about others who have also had surgery and the types of issues they have had to deal with post-surgery."
Since the site initially launched in March 2008, more than 100 people have posted their exceptional stories about living with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The site's search function makes it easy to quickly find stories by specific topic, disease, gender, and age. Users can also participate in the site's online discussion board, consisting of eight forums (newly diagnosed, travel, treatments, managing symptoms, everyday living, emotional wellness, surgery, and Comparta en espanol). This valuable resource was made possible through an unrestricted grant from Abbott Immunology, to better help users get the support they need in managing IBD. The Foundation advises users to always check with their personal physician before taking any action regarding their health. About Crohn's Disease and 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 of America
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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