UPDATE: Celebrating UC Success Announces Essay Conte...( Medical student teachers EMT am...),Health

Medical student, teachers, EMT among winners with inspirational,

educational stories

NEW YORK, May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, in partnership with Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals (P&G), has selected seven winners for the Celebrating UC Success essay contest program that seeks to honor, educate and inspire those affected by ulcerative colitis. Winners' stories reflect a wide variety of experiences with ulcerative colitis, but all carry a message of hope and perseverance that can help educate and motivate others living with the disease, which is an unpredictable and at times, embarrassing disease of the digestive tract.

"Often times, patients indicate that hearing success stories from others with similar conditions help them realize that they can live beyond their disease," says Dan Hecht, General Manager - North America Pharmaceuticals of P&G. "Many people living with ulcerative colitis are able to live life to the fullest despite this illness and being open about the condition is an important first step in taking control."

A panel of judges representing local Foundation chapters across the country selected the seven most inspirational stories from more than 500 contestants including UC patients and their family, friends and healthcare providers. These seven essays are featured on the program's Web site, http://www.ucsuccess.org. Winners will be recognized at the Foundation's National Advocacy Conference, "IBD Day on the Hill," starting May 14, 2008 in Washington, D.C. During the conference, the Celebrating UC Success winners will be able to meet with their local legislators to discuss research surrounding ulcerative colitis and will be honored at a dinner reception. The seven winners who submitted the most encouraging and creative pieces are:

Patient Winners

-- Maureen Akins, from Kent, Wash., recen
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