Brett Cavalli will share his story, tips and advice to further connect, educate and empower others living with the disease

ATLANTA, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- UCB today announced the first installment of the Crohn'sAdvocate™ Online Forum Series, a succession of interactive programs designed to connect, educate and empower those who are affected by Crohn's disease.  

Crohn's disease is a chronic, progressive and debilitating inflammatory bowel disease that results in an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.  Many Americans living with Crohn's disease often feel isolated and limit social activities because of the constant pain and fatigue they experience, as well as the fear of an urgent and immediate need to find a public restroom. Those with the condition often battle Crohn's disease alone, as people find it difficult to share their experiences with others.

On Thursday, October 7, 2010, at 7:00pm ET and 9:00pm ET, Brett Cavalli – a restaurant owner who suffers from Crohn's disease – will share his personal journey with Crohn's disease, which began when he was 13 years old.  After years of silently suffering the symptoms of the disease and enduring the pain without any clear diagnosis or effective treatment, he was finally diagnosed with the condition when he was 29 during an emergency surgery that removed nearly a foot of his small intestine.  

As a self-professed lover of food, coming to terms with the realities of Crohn's disease was particularly difficult for Brett.  In fact, when Brett was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, he distanced himself from his family and friends because of the constant pain and fatigue he experienced.  The Crohn'sAdvocate program helped educate Brett about Crohn's disease and gave him the strength to reconnect with his family by talking to them openly about his diagnosis. 

Today, as a manager of an Italian grill, Brett uses his love of food to encourage others in the Crohn's community to learn more and speak out about their own disease.  Through the Crohn'sAdvocate Online Forum, Brett will share with others his time-tested recipe for successful Crohn's disease management – including diet modification, favorite recipes, and medications.

Accompanying Brett in this first installment of the Online Forum Series will be registered dietician Tamara Duker Freumann, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.  Tamara will address the unique dietary concerns of Crohn's patients and offer helpful advice for finding balance in your diet.  

To access the Crohn'sAdvocate Online Forum Series, participants will need to register at CrohnsAdvocate.com.  After doing so, further instructions will be made available.  Following each live event, the content will be available for download and made accessible in an archived library on CrohnsAdvocate.com.  

About Crohn'sAdvocate Program

Developed as a support and advocacy program for the half a million Americans affected by Crohn's disease, the Crohn'sAdvocate™ program was launched nearly a year ago by UCB.  The program takes a 360 degree approach to connecting people with Crohn's disease with experts and Advocates; educating those affected by the condition and empowering the community to take an active part in managing their treatment and care.  Through Crohn'sAdvocate™, those living with Crohn's disease are provided resources, guidance and support locally, nationally and online at CrohnsAdvocate.com.

About Crohn's Disease

Crohn's Disease is a chronic, progressive, destructive disorder that causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, most commonly at the end of the small intestine (the ileum) and beginning of the large intestine (the colon).  If not effectively treated, it may result in the need for surgery and hospitalization.  Crohn's Disease has been estimated to affect as many as half a million Americans.  People with Crohn's can experience an ongoing cycle of flare-up and remission throughout their lives.

About UCB

UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative medicines with a focus on the fields of central nervous system and immunology disorders.  Employing more than 9 000 people in over 40 countries, UCB produced revenue of EUR 3.1 billion in 2009.  UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB).

SOURCE Crohn'sAdvocate Program

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