Introducing New Website for Kids and Teens with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: JustLikeMeIBD.org

NEW YORK, Feb. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The number of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in the U.S. has now increased to an estimated 1.6 million, with 10 percent of that patient population under the age of 18. In response to the growing number of kids with IBD, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) along with the NASPGHAN Foundation for Children’s Digestive Health and Nutrition, has launched a new website for children and teenagers called "Just Like Me" for young people with Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis.

The interactive site will feature stories and videos from teens with IBD as well as information on school, dating, managing stress and diet, research updates and young patient stories.

"Young people have become the fastest-growing population diagnosed with IBD," says Rick Geswell, President and CEO of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. "This age group is particularly sensitive to emotional and social issues, so it was imperative that we create a safe space for these patients where they can get resources that help them manage their disease."

Some psychosocial issues that kids with IBD may be prone to are depression, anxiety, social isolation, altered self-image, family conflict, medication adherence problems and school absences. In general, kids and teens with IBD are concerned and affected by their:

• Anger about IBD symptoms and treatment
• Body image
• Fatigue
• Lack of control over school and extracurricular activities

"We are extremely delighted to be a part of the development of this new website along with CCFA," says Athos Bousvaros, Past President, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.  "Pediatric patients have a difficult time managing their condition along with all the other psychosocial challenges most adolescence have in their young lives. This website will help them better cope with disease management as they develop into young adults."

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. 

About the NASPGHAN Foundation for Children’s Digestive Health and Nutrition   
The NASPGHAN Foundation for Children’s Digestive Health and Nutrition has a single goal: to support the mission of The North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) to improve the outcome of  gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, pancreatic and nutritional disorders in children.

About NASPGHAN    
NASPGHAN is a professional society of more than 2000 pediatric gastroenterologists in the US, Canada and Mexico. Through education, research and advocacy, we provide information and resources to parents, patients, and medical professionals dealing with pediatric digestive disorders. For more information, visit www.GIKIDS.org and  www.naspghan.org, call 215-233-0808, like us on Facebook, find us on LinkedIn or follow us on Twitter.  

SOURCE Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America

Related Links

http://www.ccfa.org/