NEW YORK, April 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mike McCready, guitarist and founding member of the American rock band, Pearl Jam, recently donated his time to create a radio public service announcement (PSA) series on behalf of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation to raise critical awareness for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The 60, 30, and 15 second PSAs will encourage Americans to register for one of over 130 Take Steps Walks in 2011 in communities around the country. Walkers will raise much-needed dollars for research into Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, chronic, painful, and often debilitating digestive diseases. Collectively known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn's and colitis afflict over 1.4 million American children and adults.

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McCready understands the ups-and-downs of living with an incurable digestive disease because he has Crohn's disease. In the PSAs, he explains the chronic and debilitating pain of Crohn's and colitis and the Foundation's mission to find a cure for these digestive diseases and improve the quality of life for patients. He goes on to urge listeners to join him to end the suffering by signing up for a Take Steps Walk.

"I have been living with Crohn's Disease for over 24 years," says McCready.  "Luckily, my disease is now under control. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for many of the 1 million plus Americans suffering from IBD.  I know first hand the tremendous impact CCFA's programs can have on improving Crohn's and colitis patients' lives.  I encourage anyone inflicted or affected by these diseases to sign up for the Take Steps Walk program." 

The number of people with newly diagnosed IBD has exploded in recent years and there is no known cure. The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation has defined the field of Crohn's and colitis research for nearly a half-century, enabling the best scientists to discover better therapies and ultimately, a cure. The funds raised by the thousands of people around the country who sign-up to participate in a Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis Walk in 2011 will help CCFA achieve this vision.

In the past three years alone, over 100,000 Americans participated in Take Steps, raising over $20 million to help the Foundation fund research, education, and support initiatives. Visit www.cctakesteps.org today to find a Take Steps walk in your community.

About Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Crohn'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 Foundation of America

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America'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, with more than 81 cents of every dollar the Foundation spends going 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. Join CCFA on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ccfafb  and follow CCFA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ccfa.

SOURCE Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America