NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ResearchMatch (RM), the country's first nationwide, disease-neutral, volunteer research recruitment and engagement platform is launching a partnership with the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to curing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and improving the quality of life of children and adults affected by those diseases.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, affect as many as 1.6 million Americans. The exact cause of these chronic, life-long conditions is not entirely understood, but is known to involve an interaction between genes, the immune system and environmental factors. Currently, IBD can only be treated but not cured.

Although great strides have been made to improve treatment of the condition, research volunteers are needed to help find a cure and improve the quality of life for those affected by IBD. Clinical trials are a crucial tool in the fight against these diseases.  The partnership with ResearchMatch will help expand the number of IBD patients that can be reached with valuable information about clinical trials.

"Participating in research is one of the best ways to expedite the search for cures for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). New research helps both doctors and patients develop greater understanding of IBD," said Caren Heller, MD, MBA, Chief Scientific Officer for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. "For patients, the benefits of participating in research trials and studies may include access to new treatments, including diet, medication, and surgical procedures, and helping others by contributing to medical research."

About CCFA
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is the largest voluntary non-profit health organization dedicated to finding cures for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). CCFA's mission is to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults who suffer from these diseases. The Foundation works to fulfill its mission by funding research, providing educational resources for patients and their families, medical professionals, and the public, and furnishing supportive services for those afflicted with IBD. For more information, visit www.ccfa.org, call 888-694-8872, like us on Facebook, find us on LinkedIn or follow us on Twitter and Pinterest. 

About ResearchMatch
ResearchMatch is a national partnership created as a centralized, web-based recruitment registry connecting individuals who are interested in participating in research with researchers nationwide. The site is a funded in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program grants. The CTSA program is led by the NIH's National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS).  The content of this website is solely the responsibility of ResearchMatch and Vanderbilt University and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.

SOURCE Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America

Related Links

http://www.ccfa.org/