"GOT GUTS" WRISTBANDS MAKING AN IMPACT FOR THE CROHN'S & COLITIS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA

Media Contact:
Danny Jovic
PFS Marketwyse on behalf of CCFA
973-812-8883 ext. 249
djovic@pfsmarketwyse.com

New York, NY - (January 31, 2005) - Leveraging the success of the most popular fund-raising product to sweep the nation, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) has recently introduced its "Got Guts ™" wristband. This blue silicon elastic wristband was designed to raise money and awareness for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

"We've already sold some 40,000 wristbands in one month," said Roger Koman, vice president of new enterprises at CCFA. "We will continue to introduce new and unique fundraising initiatives to support our mission to wipe out these conditions, which affect over one million children and adults in the U.S. alone."

Made popular by the Lance Armstrong Foundation's "Wear Yellow Live Strong" campaign, these wristbands have come to symbolize an individual's support for a specific cause. Individuals who wear CCFA's wristband engraved with the phrase "Got Guts" support a future without IBD.

"Got Guts" wristbands are available in both adult and youth sizes at a cost of $15 per pack of 10. They can be purchased by calling 800-932-2423 or by visiting www.ccfa.org. All proceeds will go directly to CCFA to support their mission to cure and prevent Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis through research, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these digestive diseases through education and support.

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are painful, medically incurable illnesses that attack the digestive system. Crohn's disease may inflame the small and large intestines, while ulcerative colitis attacks the large intestine (colon) only. Symptoms may include persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramps, 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. Of the one million American adults and children suffering from these terrible diseases, at least 100,000 are under the age of 18. Most people develop the diseases between the ages of 15 and 35.

About CCFA
The mission of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is to cure and prevent Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis through research, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these digestive diseases through education and support. More than 82 cents of every dollar the Foundation spends goes to mission-critical programs. CCFA consistently meets the standards of organizations that monitor charities, including the Better Business Bureau (give.org) and the American Institute of Philanthropy (charitywatch.org). For more information, contact CCFA at 800-932-2423 or visit www.ccfa.org.

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