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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Raises $1 Million to Find Cures
Fundraisers to cross ING Miami Half Marathon finish line Media Contact:
Ariella Levine
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, National Headquarters
516-660-9478 / 646-943-7430
alevine@ccfa.org
Miami, Florida – January 24, 2008 – On Sunday, January 27, 216 people from 23 states will cross the finish line at the ING Miami Half Marathon, knowing that they've helped the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America come $1 million closer to finding a cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, painful and chronic digestive diseases. Over the past sixteen weeks, they have trained in their local communities through the Foundation's half marathon training program, Crohn's & Colitis Team Challenge, while raising critical research dollars for the 1.4 million Americans living with these diseases. They were given cutting-edge fundraising tools, along with information on nutrition, hydration, injury prevention, and other relevant topics to help them succeed on race day and beyond. In exchange for fundraising, the Foundation covers the costs of transportation, accommodations, race entry fees, and entertainment.
The Foundation launched this program in 2007 and trained runners and walkers for its first race, the San Jose Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, this past October. Just in its second season of this new program, the Foundation tripled the number of participants and raised $820,000 more than during its first season.
"Participants from around the country not only helped the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation make a major stride in fundraising," says Richard J. Geswell, President of the Foundation. "They also went above and beyond to spread critical awareness about these little-known digestive diseases in their communities, touching the lives of those who are suffering and opening many doors for them to access care and support."
People across the country, interested in joining this fight, can register to train with Crohn's & Colitis Team Challenge for the Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon on July 20. More information can be found at www.ccteamchallenge.org.
About Crohn's & Colitis Team ChallengeCrohn's & Colitis Team Challenge is a new endurance training program designed to raise funds to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. A program of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, Crohn's & Colitis Team Challenge participants commit to help the millions of people who suffer from these diseases and to train for an exciting endurance event. In exchange for this commitment, the Foundation equips participants with everything they need to cross the finish line, including several months of training from professional coaches, transportation and lodging during race weekend and the opportunity to share a life-changing experience with a group of caring individuals.
About the ING Miami Half MarathonThe half marathon is one of the most beautiful courses in the United States, if not the world. From the beautiful new downtown participants will run or walk through cruiseship row into South Beach, the Art Deco district and back through the Venetian Causeway. Through the entire journey runners will be entertained by bands, cheerleading squads and high energy cheer zones.
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 FoundationThe Crohn's & Colitis Foundation'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, and 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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