CCFA and ConvaTec Announce 2006 Great Comebacks Awards Recipients

SKILLMAN, N.J. -- The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) and ConvaTec, a manufacturer of ostomy and wound care products, announced the five regional recipients for the 2006 Great Comebacks® Program. Now in its twenty-second year, the annual Great Comebacks Program recognizes the inspirational achievements of people who prevail over debilitating intestinal diseases, colorectal cancer and ostomy surgery.

An estimated 1.4 million Americans are affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a collective term for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Approximately 750,000 Americans are living with an ostomy.

The 2006 Great Comebacks Program marks the first time that the annual awards will honor recipients in each of five regions across the United States. Selected from the most applications received in the program's history, the five regional recipients are:

-- Northeast: Bob Baker, 45, Washington Depot, Conn.
-- Mid-Atlantic: Thomas Rinkacs, 39, Laurinburg, N.C.
-- South: Julie Vaughan, 36, Plano, Texas
-- West: Eric Hayes, 46, Carlsbad, Calif.
-- Central: Sandra Benitez, 65, Edina, Minn.

"Today we honor these five individuals because they embody the spirit and determination that defines a Great Comeback -- by sharing their stories of personal triumph, they are giving hope to thousands of other patients and their families," said Rolf Benirschke, former San Diego Chargers place-kicker, ulcerative colitis patient and chairman of the Great Comebacks committee. "The tremendous response we have received since we expanded the program last year reaffirms our commitment to demystify these diseases and ostomy surgery through education, advocacy and support."

Each recipient will be honored at a regional awards ceremony where they will also be Rolf's special guest at a professional sporting event. All recipients will be recognized on the Great Comebacks Web Site. One of the regional recipients will also be honored as the 2006 National Great Comebacks recipient in early 2007, and will receive The Great Comebacks Glass Eagle, handcrafted in crystal.

"For patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, recovery is equally as emotional as it is physical," says Richard J. Geswell, CCFA president. "That's why it's important that support networks like Great Comebacks and CCFA keep reaching out on a regional and community level, so that people facing these challenges know they are not alone and they have access to resources that can help them and their families cope."

"Through two decades of Great Comebacks, it has been gratifying and exciting to watch how this program continues to grow," added Dave Johnson, president of ConvaTec. "Today we honor not only these recipients, but also those who supported them in their recoveries and those they will go on to inspire. Their stories inspire all of us at ConvaTec every day to continue to provide the technology and support that aids in their ability to achieve great comebacks."

About Great Comebacks
Each year, the Great Comebacks program recognizes adults, children and teenagers who are living with IBD, colorectal cancer or an ostomy. Begun in 1984 by former San Diego Charger place-kicker and ulcerative colitis patient Rolf Benirschke, Great Comebacks provides hope, inspiration and education to support patients and their families. More information on the Great Comebacks program is available at www.greatcomebacks.com.

Source: ConvaTec, a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

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