The Great Comebacks® Program Announces 2010 Regional Awards Recipients

SKILLMAN, N.J., Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The Great Comebacks® Program announced today the 2010 regional awards recipients.  Now in its 26th year, the annual Great Comebacks® Program recognizes the inspirational achievements of people who have overcome serious intestinal diseases, colorectal cancer and other conditions that can lead to ostomy surgery.  

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The awards are sponsored by ConvaTec, a world-leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies for community and hospital care, in partnership with the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation (CCFA), the United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. (UOAA), the Intestinal Disease Education and Awareness Society (IDEAS), the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses (WOCN) Society, and – joining the partnership this year – the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS), the premier society for colon and rectal surgeons.

The 2010 Great Comebacks® regional awards recipients, all of whom are being recognized at ceremonies this fall, are:

• South: David Barger, 51, Panama City, FL
• Central: Yvonne Austin, 44, Grove City, OH
• East: Linda Pasto, RN, 57, Ithaca, NY
• West: Charles (Chuck) Wielgus, 60, Colorado Springs, CO

"By sharing their stories, Great Comebacks® recipients provide support and encouragement to millions of patients affected by these debilitating conditions or facing ostomy surgery," said Rolf Benirschke, former San Diego Chargers place-kicker, ulcerative colitis patient and chairman of the Great Comebacks® Program.  "Through their voices, and those of our many partners, our goal is also to change the misperceptions about these diseases and life with an ostomy."

On June 4th 2011, one of the regional recipients also will be honored as the National Great Comebacks® Award recipient at the 43rd WOCN Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA.  Additionally, ConvaTec and the WOCN Society will present the WOC Nurse Great Comebacks® Award, a recognition honoring a WOC nurse who has been instrumental in helping one of these recipients achieve their "great comeback."  

"As a leader in ostomy care for more than 30 years, ConvaTec is proud to support advocacy, awareness and education for people with an ostomy through programs like Great Comebacks®," said Nino Pionati, President of ConvaTec Global Marketing and Business Development.  "Through our expanded partnership with dedicated specialist nurses and surgeons, we hope to make many more Great Comebacks, like those of our regional awards recipients, possible."

More information about this year's Great Comebacks® regional recipients is available at www.greatcomebacks.com.

About ConvaTec

ConvaTec is a leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies that have helped improve the lives of millions of people worldwide.  With four key focus areas – Ostomy Care, Wound Therapeutics, Continence and Critical Care, and Infusion Devices – ConvaTec products support health care professionals from the hospital to the community health setting.   For more information, please visit www.convatec.com.

About the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation (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 79 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.

About the United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. (UOAA)

The United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. (UOAA) is a national network for bowel and urinary diversion support groups in the United States.  Its goal is to provide a non-profit association that will serve to unify and strengthen its member support groups, which are organized for the benefit of people who have, or will have intestinal or urinary diversions and their caregivers.  For more information, please visit www.ostomy.org.

About the Intestinal Disease Education and Awareness Society (IDEAS)

The North American Intestinal Disease Education and Awareness Society (IDEAS) raises awareness of intestinal diseases through education and public awareness campaigns.  IDEAS provides quality of life enhancing programs for children and young adults afflicted with intestinal diseases and their families.  IDEAS conducts advocacy programs on behalf of all people living with intestinal diseases.  For more information, please visit www.weneedideas.com.

About the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses (WOCN) Society

The WOCN Society is a professional nursing society that promotes educational, clinical and research opportunities to advance the practice and guide the delivery of expert health care to individuals with wounds, ostomies and incontinence.  Membership includes more than 4,700 healthcare professionals who are experts in the care of patients with wound, ostomy and incontinence.  For more information, please visit www.wocn.org.

About the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS)

The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons is the premier society for colon and rectal surgeons and other surgeons dedicated to advancing and promoting the science and practice of the treatment of patients with diseases and disorders affecting the colon, rectum and anus. Founded in 1899, ASCRS has over 2,600 surgeons and specialist members, including over 1000 board certified colon and rectal surgeons. For more information about the ASCRS, please visit www.fascrs.org.

Great Comebacks is a registered trademark of ConvaTec Inc.

© 2010 ConvaTec Inc.

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SOURCE ConvaTec