FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mayo Clinic Professor of Medicine to Lead Interactive Teleconference

To address patients and caregivers on new and upcoming Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis treatments

New York, New York – April 21, 2008 – Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals can now register online and on the phone for Crohn's & Colitis Treatments: What's New and What's on the Way. This free, live, and interactive teleconference sponsored by the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation will take place on Tuesday, May 6, from 8 to 9:15 pm EST. With the ever advancing drug market—new medications are constantly being developed for digestive disease patients. This teleconference, accessible over the phone and online, will address medication options, function, and effectiveness to combat its very difficult symptoms. Edward Loftus, Jr., M.D., Professor of Medicine and Director of the IBD Interest Group at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, will discuss new and upcoming treatments and will address questions from the audience.

To register, call toll-free 1-888-276-4676 or visit www.HealthTalk.com/CCFA. For disease-specific education, support, and treatment information, call 888.MY.GUT.PAIN or visit www.ccfa.org.

"Since there are over 1.4 million Americans suffering from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, there is a great need for new and improved treatments," says Kimberly Frederick, Vice President of Patient & Professional Services for the Foundation. "Dr. Loftus will offer exclusive insight into the latest Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis treatment options and share his vast knowledge on the management of these diseases."

Dr. Loftus is an expert on epidemiology, natural history, and diagnosis and medical management of inflammatory bowel disease, having published over 100 original articles on these subjects. A fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Gastroenterology, Dr. Loftus also serves as an associate editor of the American Journal of Gastroenterology and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, and is on the editorial boards of Gastroenterology and the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology.

In addition to gaining insight from Dr. Loftus' extensive experience in the field, participants will also be given an inside look at what Crohn's and colitis are and how these digestive diseases affect people's lives. Advice on managing treatment side effects, and more will be provided.

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 83 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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updated 4/24/08