Celebrating UC Success Contest Announces Grand Prize Winners

NEW YORK, July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) announced today the five grand prize winners from the third annual Celebrating UC Success contest. Established in December 2007, Celebrating UC Success is a program that honors people who have found personal ways to help manage their ulcerative colitis (UC), a form of inflammatory bowel disease. The program highlights their successes to educate and inspire other patients and supporters of those with UC. To date, nearly 800 participants have entered the contest. This year's winners are being awarded a trip for two to participate in CCFA's Take Steps walk in Seattle, Washington on July 18, where they will be able to meet with others affected by UC and take part in Take Steps festivities.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100713/NY33441 )

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Building on the last two years, this year's contest, called "Express How UC Success," asked patients to share their UC experiences in a creative way – through photos, artwork, videos, creative writing, poetry or song – in order to spotlight the unique, personal and meaningful ways in which patients are touched by the disease.

"We are so excited to see the passion and creativity that UC patients expressed in their entries and are inspired by the way the UC community rallied together to help one another," said Kimberly Frederick, Vice President of Patient and Professional Services, Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. "We recognize that many UC patients are able to live full, rich lives despite the challenges that accompany their disease. This year's contest allowed patients to share their uplifting experiences in a creative way and provided them with an online space to connect with each other for support and inspiration. We look forward to honoring the 2010 contest winners at an exciting event in Seattle."

This year, CCFA expanded the Celebrating UC Success program to feature Facebook® and Twitter™ applications, which engaged those who are active online and provided real time updates about the contest. Further, individuals who became Facebook fans of UC Success helped select the grand prize winners by voting for their favorite semi-finalist entry.

To become a Celebrating UC Success Facebook fan, visit www.facebook.com/UCSuccess or text "FAN UCSUCCESS" to FBOOK (32665). Individuals can also follow the program on Twitter @UCSuccess or by texting "FOLLOW UCSUCCESS" to 40404. To learn more about the program and winners, please visit www.UCSuccess.org.

The Celebrating UC Success program is made possible through support from a pharmaceutical partner.  For more information on this or other CCFA programs, please contact Marie Granieri at 646-943-7444.

Meet the Winners

-- Clint B., Centereach, NY

Clint B. is a 29-year-old mechanical engineer who loves to play the drums, scuba dive, surf and spend time with his wife. He was diagnosed with UC in 2003. Clint entered the Celebrating UC Success contest to show others that there is more to life than UC. He wants them to know that the challenges they face with UC do not have to stop them from achieving a happy, successful and fulfilling life. For Clint, UC Success means overcoming obstacles.

-- Daneka D., Sorrento, LA

Daneka D. is a 30-year-old mother who loves to cook and spend time with her family. She was first diagnosed with UC more than 15 years ago while she was in middle school. Daneka entered the Celebrating UC Success contest because it gave her a chance to prove to her family that she was in control. In the past, UC often made her feel helpless, but now she is proving to her friends and family that she is a fighter.  For Daneka, UC Success means "taking charge of your life and listening to your doctor so you have the strength to tackle the flare-ups."

-- Shari H., Kendallville, IN

Shari H. is a mother of two and a licensed hair dresser in Kendallville, IN. She is also certified in Pilates, Zumba and personal training. Shari entered the Celebrating UC Success contest        because she wanted to tell her story and inspire others to live a wonderful life. She wants other UC patients to know that UC is not the end, but the beginning of a whole new life. For Shari, UC Success means knowledge and determination among many other things.

-- Alicia K., New York, NY

Alicia K. is a 28-year-old self-employed freelance writer, editor, artist, baker, personal assistant, dance footage archiver and blogger. She was diagnosed with UC in 2005. For Alicia, UC Success means focusing on what can be done and achieved, rather than what can't be. It's about trying to fulfill personal desires while helping others in some way. Her view of UC is like that of the writer Jorge Luis Borges to his blindness: a "confinement" but also a "liberation" because it forced him to invent and create in a different way.

-- Jeremy W., Pasadena, CA

Jeremy W. is a 31-year-old musician who loves to perform with his band, "Shattered Atom." He was first diagnosed with UC in 2008. His girlfriend (now wife) also has UC and proved to be an invaluable resource as she was able to relate to his situation and help prepare him for what lay ahead. Jeremy heard about the Celebrating UC Success contest and realized that a song he had written entitled "Why" is representative of how he tries to live his day-to-day life with UC. The lyrics of "Why" express how important it is to not be afraid and to carry on in the face of all the challenges that UC can bring.

About Ulcerative Colitis (UC)

UC involves inflammation of the lining of the colon and rectum and may cause flares typically followed by periods of remission. During a flare, in which the rectum or colon become inflamed, people experience symptoms such as diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal cramping and an urgent need to go to the bathroom.

Ulcerative colitis varies in clinical severity with patients having mild, moderate or severe disease, and treatment depends on the extent and severity of an individual's disease. While ulcerative colitis is a lifelong condition, medication may help control flares.

Ulcerative colitis affects people of all ages, but is often diagnosed during early adulthood. The causes of this condition are unknown, but may involve heredity, infection and/or the immune system.

About the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America is the largest non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding a cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and it ranks third among leading health non-profits in the percentage of expense devoted to research toward a cure, with approximately 79 cents of every dollar the Foundation spends going to mission-critical programs. The organization is committed to improving the quality of life of children and adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) through research, education and support services, offering resources like the Information Resource Center (IRC), which serves as the central source for information and guidance for IBD patients. Information Resource Center specialists respond to an average of 13,000 inquiries and requests annually, and over 30,000 brochures and fact sheets are mailed to patients and caregivers through the IRC every year. 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 visit www.ccfa.org or call the Foundation at 888.MY.GUT.PAIN to find a local chapter, and/or disease-specific education, support and treatment information.

SOURCE Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America