Pro Quarterback David Garrard Raises $180,000 for Crohn's Disease Education and Research During 2009 Football Season

Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America Received a Donation of $10,000 For Every Touchdown Garrard Scored During the 2009 Season

NEW YORK, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) today announced the culmination of the second consecutive year of the In the Zone for Crohn's program, featuring David Garrard, quarterback of the Jacksonville Jaguars^®(1) and support from Centocor Ortho Biotech to help the organization fund Crohn's disease research and education.  As part of the program, $10,000 was donated to the CCFA for every touchdown Garrard scored during the 2009 football season.  This season, Garrard accounted for 18 touchdowns, raising $180,000 for the CCFA.

Through Garrard's continued involvement in the In the Zone for Crohn's program and efforts on the football field over the past two years, he has raised funds that have allowed the CCFA to advance critical Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis research in order to make a profound difference in the present and future health of patients with these diseases.

More information about the In the Zone for Crohn's program and this season's results can be found at www.CrohnsintheZone.com.  Crohn's disease, combined with a related inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) called ulcerative colitis (UC), affects more than 1.4 million Americans.

"I have truly enjoyed partnering with the CCFA these past two years and am grateful to Centocor Ortho Biotech for giving me the extra incentive to score touchdowns each week through their donations to the program," said David Garrard, quarterback of the Jacksonville Jaguars.  "Since being diagnosed with Crohn's disease several years ago, it has been my goal to raise awareness of this debilitating disease and to help inspire other people who are living with Crohn's disease. I want people to know that if I can overcome this condition and still live a happy and healthy life, they can too."

Despite Crohn's disease, Garrard continues to succeed on the field and has scored over 70 career touchdowns while playing for the Jaguars.  Garrard recently completed his third season as the team's full-time starting quarterback.

"It has been a pleasure working with David on the In the Zone for Crohn's program," said Richard Geswell, President of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America.  "David has impacted a countless number of people through his inspiring story of overcoming Crohn's disease and his continued efforts to shed light on this often misunderstood and under-reported condition. With the continued commitment and generous donation from Centocor Ortho Biotech of $350,000 over the past two years of this program, the CCFA has been able to further its mission of improving the lives of children and adults living with these diseases everyday."

About David Garrard

David Garrard knows first hand the painful, debilitating and often embarrassing effects of Crohn's disease.  Prior to the 2004 football season, Garrard began experiencing the excruciating symptoms associated with the disease, lost a significant amount of weight and missed several weeks of pre-season training.  Following his diagnosis, David underwent surgery and, in consultation with his doctor, began a treatment regimen.  David returned to the playing field by the start of the 2004 season and in 2007 led the team to its first playoff win in eight years.  

About Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract, affects approximately 500,000 Americans, including approximately 100,000 pediatric patients.  The cause of Crohn's disease is not known, but the disease is associated with an abnormality of the immune system that could be triggered by viral or bacterial infections, a genetic predisposition or diet.  Symptoms of Crohn's disease can vary but often include abdominal pain and tenderness, frequent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss and fever.  There is currently no cure for Crohn's disease.

About The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA)

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 80 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. Join CCFA on Facebook at http://apps.facebook.com/supportccfa/ and follow CCFA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ccfa.

(1) Jacksonville Jaguars is a registered trademark of the National Football League.  

SOURCE Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America