SKILLMAN, N.J., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation and ConvaTec, a world-leading manufacturer of ostomy and wound care products, announced today the regional recipients for the 2007 Great Comebacks(R) Program. Now in its 23rd year, the annual Great Comebacks(R) Program recognizes the inspirational achievements of adults and young people who prevail over debilitating intestinal diseases and ostomy surgery.

An estimated 1.4 million Americans are affected by Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)(1), a collective term for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, many of whom are initially impacted when they are adolescents or young adults.(1) Approximately 750,000 Americans are living with an ostomy.(2)

The 2007 Great Comebacks(R) regional recipients are: -- South: Wendy Lueder, 61, Ft. Lauderdale, FL -- Central: Mike Florak, 40, Boardman, OH -- East: Scott Ellis, 36, Enfield, CT -- West: Jeffrey Larsen, 61, Seattle, WA

"By sharing their stories of personal triumph, these remarkable individuals are giving hope to thousands of other patients and their families by showing that it is possible to lead a fulfilling life with IBD or an ostomy," said Rolf Benirschke, former San Diego Chargers place-kicker, ulcerative colitis patient and chairman of the Great Comebacks(R) Awards Program. "We continue to be committed to demystifying these diseases and ostomy surgery through education, advocacy and support in the United States and worldwide."

Joining the regional Great Comebacks(R) recipients this year are four young people being recognized with Ina Brudnick Awards. This award, given in memory of pioneering stoma care nurse Ina Brudnick, presents $1,000 each to four students, 24 years old or younger, who have undergone ostomy surgery and/or have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis and intend to pursue a higher education.

The 2007 Ina Brudnick regional recipients are: -- South: Kristen Kitzler, 17, Murfreesboro, TN -- Central: Maggie Montoya, 17, Lincoln, NE -- East: Rodney Hedgepeth, 17, Sharpsburg, NC -- West: Mona Rezapour, 23, Woodland Hills, CA

The Ina Brudnick Award winners also are joined by three young people recently named as the 2007 Comeback Kids. This program, an extension of the Great Comebacks(R) Program, recognizes young individuals between the ages of seven and 17 who are living active, productive lives while managing their IBD and/or ostomy.

The 2007 Comeback Kids recipients are: -- Ryan Malfait, 13, Concord, NH (Crohn's disease) -- Sandy Tarasiak, 13, Charlton, MA (Ulcerative Colitis) -- Alyssa Amos, 14, Bennington, VT (Ostomy)

This year's Great Comebacks(R) and Ina Brudnick Award recipients will be honored at regional ceremonies during the fall, and their stories will be shared on the Great Comebacks(R) Web Site at www.greatcomebacks.com. One of the Great Comebacks(R) regional recipients also will be honored as the 2007 National Great Comebacks(R) recipient in early 2008, and will receive the Great Comebacks(R) Glass Eagle, handcrafted in crystal.

"We are proud to honor the achievements of these brave individuals who are leading inspirational lives while battling Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis," said Richard J. Geswell, the Foundation president. "Their important message to others that you aren't alone is the reason why patient programs like Great Comebacks(R) and the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation continue reaching out on a regional and community level."

"Through more than two decades of Great Comebacks(R) Awards we have had the privilege of getting to know patients from around the U.S. and the world who have taught us so much about personal courage, perseverance and their unbeatable spirit for living," said David Johnson, president of ConvaTec. "Their examples inspire all of us at ConvaTec every day to continue to develop and provide technologies and support that aids in their ability to achieve great comebacks."

About Great Comebacks(R)

Each year, the Great Comebacks(R) 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(R) provides hope, inspiration and education to support patients and their families. More information on the Great Comebacks(R) Program is available at www.greatcomebacks.com.

About ConvaTec

ConvaTec, a world-leading manufacturer of ostomy and wound care products with a heritage of caring about patients, is a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY). Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global pharmaceutical and related health care products company. For more information, please call 800-422-8811 or visit www.convatec.com.

About Crohn's & Colitis Foundation

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's mission is to cure and prevent Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis through research, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these digestive diseases through education and support. More than 80 cents of every dollar the Foundation spends goes to mission-critical programs. The Foundation consistently meets the standards of organizations that monitor charities, including the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance (give.org) and the American Institute of Philanthropy (charitywatch.org). For more information, contact the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation at 800-932-2423 or visit www.ccfa.org.

(1) Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Organization Web Site. Viewed at: http://www.ccfa.org/about/press/ibdfacts. Accessed October 11, 2007. (2) Wolfe MJ. UOA Facts and Figures. Ostomy Association of Boston. March/April 1999. In United Ostomy Association Inc. Lawton-Fort Sill Ostomy Association Newsletter. June 2000.Viewed at http://members.aol.com/lawtonuoa/lawton_june-00.html. Accessed October 11, 2007.

Great Comebacks is a registered trademark of E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C. US-07-1858