FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Mankoff Family Foundation Pledges $1 Million to Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America

Money will support national awareness campaign featuring former First Lady Barbara Bush

NEW YORK -- (AUGUST 28, 2003) -- The Mankoff Family Foundation of Dallas announced today a $1 million gift to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) to increase public awareness about inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the two components of IBD, affect an estimated one million people in the United States.

The first installment of the 10-year grant will fund distribution of a national public service campaign featuring former First Lady Barbara Bush, whose youngest son, Marvin, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 1985. One year later, Marvin Bush underwent surgery to remove his colon. The PSA campaign will begin airing nationwide in August. (To view this PSA, click here.)

"The generous donation by the Mankoff Family Foundation will be instrumental in helping us raise awareness of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis," said Roger L. DeRose, President and Chief Executive Officer, CCFA. "Through this television and radio campaign with Mrs. Bush, we want to let people living with IBD and their loved ones know that while CCFA is searching for the cure, the foundation offers them a wealth of educational programs and support services. As the Bush family's experience shows, any family can face the challenge of helping a loved one cope with Crohn's or colitis."

The Mankoff Family Foundation was founded in 1996 by Ronald M. and Joy S. Mankoff. The Foundation provides financial support to a variety of local and national organizations. Also serving as directors of the Foundation are Douglas and Marcia Mankoff and Jeffrey and Staci Mankoff.

"Few people know about inflammatory bowel disease because even fewer people feel comfortable talking about a disease that involves bowel malfunctions," said Jeffrey Mankoff, President of CCFA's North Texas Chapter. "IBD, in the context of public awareness and taboo, is where cancer was 20 years ago and depression 10 years ago. This needs to change. The Mankoff Family Foundation is excited about working with CCFA to move IBD to the forefront of public awareness. We are very pleased that CCFA has chosen the first monies from our grant to be used in conjunction with Barbara Bush's national public service awareness campaign. This will help our cause." Mankoff, 42, has had Crohn's disease since the age of 15.

Ronald and Joy Mankoff, the Foundation founders, are both noted for their charitable work. A retired Dallas attorney, Ronald M. Mankoff was active in the Dallas legal community for more than 45 years and served in senior leadership positions in many local and national organizations.

Joy Mankoff is also a well-known community leader and advocate locally and nationally. She has served as Chair, Advisory Council of the Dallas Area Agency on Aging and President, National Council of Jewish Women. She has also held numerous board positions in organizations dedicated to health, women's issues, community improvement and the arts, including President of the Dallas Planned Parenthood affiliate and President of the Boys and Girls Clubs.

About IBD

Ulcerative colitis affects only the colon, while Crohn's disease occurs in both the small intestine and colon. Symptoms range from mild to severe and include persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramps, rectal bleeding, fever and weight loss. Children with the disease may experience delayed growth.

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are unpredictable illnesses. Some patients recover after a single attack; others require frequent hospitalizations and surgery. Left untreated, symptoms may worsen and cause complications such as abscesses, obstruction, malnutrition and anemia. Colon cancer may be a serious complication of long-term ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, even in a patient who is in remission.

About CCFA

The mission of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, which was founded in 1967, 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. Of the one million Americans who suffer from IBD, approximately 100,000 are children under the age of 18.

For more information, contact the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America at www.ccfa.org or (800) 932-2423.

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CONTACT:
Barbara Rosenstein
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America
(212) 685-3440
brosenstein@ccfa.org