NEW YORK, July 3, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For diseases that often go unnoticed, it may take a life-sized great white shark to capture people's attention. The Greater New York Chapter of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) unveiled a 115 square-foot display at 10 Rockefeller Plaza with a call to action to find cures for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The display, on view July 3-30, 2012, highlights the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation and their work to find cures for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and to improve the lives of adults and children affected by these diseases.
The window space was donated by EHE International, America's oldest and largest preventive health company. "EHE International is happy to donate the window in Rockefeller Center for the month of July to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. Together we hope to enlighten, inform and educate the public about the specific needs of over 1.4 million Americans suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Diseases," said Deborah McKeever, President of EHE International.
BOLD Worldwide, an advertising agency in Manhattan, donated its services to create the window's dynamic design, which features a four foot high great white shark. Brian Cristiano, CEO of BOLD explains, "The window was designed to draw a parallel between pain, danger and the unknown. Crohn's and Colitis are relatively unknown and largely misunderstood. I wanted BOLD to lend support in helping to spread the message about these little-known diseases and draw attention to this worthwhile organization. I couldn't be more honored to be a part of this project for CCFA.
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are painful, medically incurable illnesses that attack the digestive system. Crohn's disease may attack anywhere along the digestive track, while ulcerative colitis inflames only the large intestine (colon). Symptoms may include abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever, weight loss and fatigue. Many patients require hospitalization and surgery. Most people develop the diseases between the ages of 15 and 35; however the incidence is increasing in young people.
Founded in 1967, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America funds cutting-edge medical research and provides education and support to IBD patients and their families. With 40 chapters nationwide, it is the only national voluntary health organization dedicated to the fight against IBD. CCFA's Research Program provides funding for both individual researchers and collaborative projects,supporting the most innovative and promising studies in IBD research.
CCFA also offers a wealth of services to patients and their families. Through the Information Resource Center (IRC), Masters-level health education professionals answer questions and direct people to resources important to their quality of life; Chapter Education Days and monthly support groups provide information and support to patients, families and medical professionals; and a summer program, Camp Oasis, provides a safe and supportive camp community to children with IBD.
"This is an amazing opportunity to spread awareness about Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to get New York City talking about these two debilitating, chronic intestinal diseases. We thank both EHE International and BOLD Worldwide for making this possible," said Greater New York Chapter Executive Director, Rhondell Domilici.
Take a photo with the #ccfashark and post it to Facebook for a chance to win prizes. Tweet at #ccfashark.
About The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is the largest voluntary non-profit health organization dedicated to finding the cures for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (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.
About EHE International
Since 1913, EHE International has been the recognized leader in preventive medicine. Its clinical protocols are specifically designed for early detection of preventable disease and its associated risk factors, supported by robust personal coaching and wellness tools and resources, and its industry-leading educational and social engagement platforms. The company is well-known for its corporate-sponsored employee benefit and its patient-centered approach to preventive care and life-style management programs specifically designed for integration into self-funded employer-sponsored medical plans. For more information, contact EHE International, 10 Rockefeller Plaza, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10020; 212.332.3705; www.EHEandMe.com.
| Contact: Rhondell Domilici | Contact: Nicholas Danielides |
| 646-388-9281 | 212-319-9281 |
| Rdomilici@ccfa.org | Nick@danielides.net |
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