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PRESS RELEASE
Media Contact:Ariella Levine
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America
646-943-7430
alevine@ccfa.org
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America Names Two-Time PGA TOUR Champion National Spokesperson
Heath Slocum signs on to fight debilitating digestive diseases impacting millions of Americans
New York, NY—October 10, 2008—With over 1.4 million Americans of all ages, races, and backgrounds suffering from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, two painful and often debilitating chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation today proudly announced its partnership with Heath Slocum, a two-time Champion on the PGA TOUR. The partnership will enable the Foundation to come even closer to accomplishing its mission of increasing awareness about Crohn's and colitis, funding research for better therapies and a cure, and providing education and support to those living with these diseases.
Sidelined from golf in 1997 after the onset of ulcerative colitis, Slocum experienced the painful and debilitating effects of the disease that included a weight loss of nearly 30 pounds. With the help of medication and care from his doctors, a year and a half later, Slocum was back on the golf course and on his way to joining the PGA Tour in 2000.
"When I was first diagnosed with ulcerative colitis over 11 years ago, I had never heard of this chronic disease," says Slocum. "Yet today, millions of Americans are still suffering from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and living day-to-day not knowing when they require a hospital stay or miss work for days or months on end. The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation recognizes the need to raise awareness, find better therapies and a cure, and provide much-needed education and support, and I am looking forward to working with the Foundation to raise awareness about how we can all help patients suffering win back their lives."
After his best year in 2007, where he finished 30th on the PGA TOUR Money List, Slocum hit the ground running in 2008. Recently finishing 4th at the 2008 Travelers Championship, Slocum also came in T5th at the 2008 Wachovia Championship, T9th at the 2008 US Open Championship, and T8th at the 2008 AT&T Classic. Slocum currently ranks 57th on the PGA TOUR Money List and also ranks 1st in Proximity to the Hole Ranking and 5th in Driving Accuracy Percentage on the 2008 PGA TOUR.
About Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative ColitisCrohn'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 AmericaThe 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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