NEW YORK, April 30, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America is delighted to announce that Gary Garfield, CEO & President of Bridgestone Americas, Inc., will serve as the organization's inaugural National Chair for their Take Steps Be Heard walk program. Take Steps Be Heard is the largest walk program in the country dedicated to raising funds and awareness for digestive diseases.
"We are thrilled to have Gary's leadership to help us raise funds and awareness for these often-misunderstood diseases. On behalf of the thousands of people who walk each year, we thank him for taking on this new and very important role," said Rick Geswell, President of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. "Take Steps Be Heard gives a voice to the 1.4 million American adults and children who are affected by these digestive diseases. Gary's leadership will help strengthen that voice."
Mr. Garfield currently serves on the board of the Tennessee Chapter of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. In addition to his work at Bridgestone Americas, Garfield is a board member of the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, and other charities and organizations.
"I am happy to lend my support to this very important cause," said Garfield. "I have personally seen the devastating effects these diseases can have. That has inspired me to accept this opportunity to help raise awareness and much-needed funds that will provide patients with support and researchers with the resources they require to one day find cures for these debilitating diseases."
Known collectively as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis affect 1 in 200 people. They are painful, medically incurable diseases 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 severe and frequent abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever, and drastic weight loss due to difficulties eating. Many patients require numerous hospitalizations and surgery, and it can have a severe impact on a patient's quality of life. The diseases are usually developed from childhood up to the age of 35.
In its fifth year, Take Steps Be Heard is the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America's national walk program to raise money for critical research about, and to increase awareness of, these painful and unpredictable digestive diseases. Thousands of people will gather this year at 158 walk sites across the country to join the fight against Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The walks are family friendly festivals with activities for everyone including bands, games, food and a leisurely walk through a park or community. Take Steps Be Heard walks have raised more than $30 million for research and patient support services. The program is committed to transforming the lives of those impacted by these diseases and leading them to a brighter future through well-funded, cutting-edge scientific research.
For more information about becoming involved in Take Steps Be Heard for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, please visit www.cctakesteps.org
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 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, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ccfafb and www.facebook.com/ccfatakesteps, or follow CCFA and Take Steps on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ccfa and www.twitter.com/takesteps.
About Bridgestone Americas Inc.
Nashville, Tennessee based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world's largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world's largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.
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