UCB Supports the NW Chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation's Through Sponsorship of a Benefit Concert by Pearl Jam

UCB Supports the NW Chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation's Through Sponsorship of a Benefit Concert by Pearl Jam

PORTLAND, Ore., July 19 /PRNewswire/ -- UCB, Inc. announced today that it is joining forces with the Northwest Chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (CCFA) in taking a stand on behalf of people with Crohn's Disease (CD), a chronic, debilitating, irritable bowel disease. UCB, founders of www.CrohnsandMe.com -- a dynamic Web site focused on helping people thoroughly understand Crohn's disease and live with it every day -- will be the Platinum Sponsor for a Pearl Jam benefit concert on July 20 in Portland, Ore. to benefit the Northwest Chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA).

In 2002, Pearl Jam guitarist, Mike McCready made public his 20-year battle with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and has since been committed to raising awareness about the disease, which can cause abdominal pain, fever and weight loss that can disrupt peoples' lives. The benefit concert will take this subject, typically thought to be too delicate to discuss in public, out of the shadows and into the spotlight. McCready has been a spokesperson for the NW Chapter of CCFA and is also featured in a radio Public Service Announcement (PSA) released in January for the organization. The concert will benefit CCFA's search for a cure.

"Having struggled with Crohn's disease for more than 20 years and experienced first hand difficulties in getting a diagnosis and treatment, I want to help others learn about the disease, how it is affecting them and how to find ways to cope," said McCready.

Approximately 500,000 people in the U.S. have CD. However, people with CD are reticent to talk about their symptoms to healthcare providers, and therefore, often suffer for many years without a diagnosis or treatment. The consequence of not receiving medical care can be progression of the disease leading to surgical removal of affected parts of the digestive system. Although there is no cure for the disease, patients can currently get treatments to reduce symptoms and guidance on how to manage them in their daily lives. Those suffering from severe CD even go so far as to "bathroom map" -- scouting bathrooms in advance of basic outings to the grocery store, mall, or social activities because they never know when a severe attack will strike. This is not always easy when working or trying to lead a normal life. People report that CD has affected their emotional well-being and disrupted their educational pursuits, jobs and personal lives.

www.CrohnsandMe.com has just been launched to help patients understand their disease and manage the symptoms effectively. "At UCB we have a deep commitment to helping patients break through the limitations that diseases like CD impose on people and enjoy life more," said David Robinson, Vice President, Immunology Business Unit at UCB. "We created www.CrohnsandMe.com and became a sponsor of the Pearl Jam benefit concert to help CD patients achieve this goal."

The interactive Web site provides guidance and support to patients and contains a wealth of information about CD. It encourages CD patients to step back into the world and shows them the way. Advice is available on handling CD symptoms in the workplace, while traveling and when dining out as well as how to minimize flare-ups. The site also features real stories of CD patients successfully managing their symptoms and taking control of their lives. People with CD can join the patient community on http://www.crohnsandme.com/ to gain access to more information.

The Pearl Jam benefit concert will be held Thursday, July 20th at 8 p.m. at Portland's Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Comedian David Cross and other special guests will be on hand for an evening of comedy and music to support CCFA. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at http://www.ccfa.org/, or by phone at 503-224-4400.

About www.CrohnsandMe.com

In an effort to provide people with Crohn's disease with disease management information and resources designed expressly with their needs in mind, UCB has launched CrohnsandMe.com -- a dynamic Web site focused on helping people thoroughly understand Crohn's disease and live with it every day.

About UCB

UCB (http://www.ucb-group.com/) is a leading global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology products in the fields of central nervous system disorders, allergy/respiratory diseases, immune and inflammatory disorders and oncology -- UCB focuses on securing a leading position in severe disease categories. Employing over 8,500 people in over 40 countries, UCB achieved revenues of euro 2.3 billion in 2005. UCB is listed on the Euronext Brussels Exchange with a market capitalization of approximately euro 6.0 billion. Worldwide headquarters are located in Brussels, Belgium, and U.S. headquarters are located in Atlanta, Georgia.

Source: UCB, Inc.

CONTACT: Media - Lisa Garman of UCB, +1-770-970-8569,
lisa.garman@ucb-group.com

Web site: http://www.ucb-group.com/
http://www.crohnsandme.com/
http://www.ccfa.org/

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