Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Month Observed in New York in August Thanks to Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature

NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning on August 1, 2014, Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Month will be observed for the first time in New York State thanks to a resolution passed by the New York State legislature in June, reported the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). There are more than 1.4 million Americans living with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which are known collectively as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

"We applaud Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State legislature for recognizing August 2014 as Crohn's & Colitis Awareness Month," said Richard J. Geswell, President and CEO of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. " Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis impact every aspect of the lives of those diagnosed with these debilitating digestive diseases. Although there are over a million people living with these diseases around the country, many people are unaware of what they are or how physically and emotionally devastating they can be. Awareness months are critical in helping to raise awareness and educate the public about these diseases."

In New York State, approximately 85,000 people live with these painful, medically incurable diseases that attack the digestive system. Crohn's disease may attack anywhere along the digestive tract, while ulcerative colitis inflames only the large intestine (colon). Symptoms may include abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever, and weight loss. Many patients require numerous hospitalizations and about 23 to 45 percent of people with ulcerative colitis and up to 75 percent of people with Crohn's disease eventually require surgery to treat the disease. Most people develop the diseases between the ages of 15 and 35; however the incidence is increasing in children. The estimated direct cost for all patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in the US is $1.84 billion.

CCFA recently released a new series of Public Service Announcements for print, television and radio. The PSAs are available for download and use here.

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, like us on Facebook, find us on LinkedIn or follow us on Twitter and Pinterest.

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLLatxj612o&list=UUx6FU405bG0_5MOEEZTjKbQ

SOURCE Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America