Great Comebacks(R) Program Announces 2007 National Award Winner

Global Advocates Honor US Firefighter Scott Ellis for His Comeback from Ostomy
Surgery, and Send Off Seven Summits Climber Robert Hill on Everest Expedition

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Scott Ellis, a firefighter from
Enfield, Connecticut was named this year's Great Comebacks(R) National Award
recipient this evening at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1984 by
former San Diego Charger and ulcerative colitis patient Rolf Benirschke, the
Great Comebacks Program recognizes the inspirational achievements of people
who prevail over debilitating intestinal diseases, colorectal cancer and
ostomy surgery.
(LOGO: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080227/NYW005LOGO )
During the ceremony, the gathering of national and international advocates
also recognized Seven Summits climber Robert Hill on the eve of his departure
for Mount Everest, the final peak in his quest to become the first Crohn's
patient and ostomate to scale the Seven Summits, or tallest mountains on each
of the continents.
This year, the Great Comebacks Program also welcomed two new sponsors, the
United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. (UOAA) and the Intestinal Disease
Education and Awareness Society (IDEAS) -- joining long-time program sponsors
ConvaTec, a world-leading manufacturer of ostomy and wound care products, and
the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation (CCFA).
In the United States, an estimated 1.4 million people are affected by
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)(1), a collective term for Crohn's disease and
ulcerative colitis. Additionally, 750,000 Americans are living with an ostomy
due to either IBD, colorectal cancer or other chronic bowel or bladder
diseases.(2)
"Tonight is a celebration of special individuals like Scott and Rob, who
have come through their experiences filled with courage and a desire to help
others who face similar challenges," said Rolf Benirschke, founder and
chairman of the Great Comebacks Program. "We are delighted to welcome two new
partners, dedicated to our mission of providing hope and encouragement to the
thousands of patients and their families coping with these diseases."
Each year, the Great Comebacks Advisory Committee chooses regional Great
Comebacks Award recipients, from whom one is selected as the national award
recipient. Besides Ellis, this year's regional recipients were Wendy Lueder
of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Mike Florak of Boardman, OH; and Jeffrey Larsen of
Seattle, WA.
"These remarkable individuals embody the spirit and determination that
defines a Great Comeback. Their examples inspire all of us at ConvaTec every
day in our efforts to develop innovative technologies and provide products and
support that help people with ostomies live a healthier life," added David
Johnson, President of ConvaTec.
More information about this year's national and regional recipients is
available at www.greatcomebacks.com.
Scott Ellis, 2007 National Great Comebacks(R) Recipient
Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis when he was 9 years old, Scott Ellis
grew up determined to not let his disease stop him from following in his
family's tradition of becoming a firefighter.
Growing up, he enjoyed participating in physical activities such as
hiking, camping and swimming. At the age of 16, a year after his first ostomy
surgery, Ellis joined the firefighter cadet program, beginning his journey of
saving lives. Six years later, at 22, he joined the ranks of professional
firefighters. During his grueling training, which included extreme physical
tests, Ellis' ostomy was never mentioned. In fact, members of his class never
even knew he was living with an ostomy unless he chose to share the
information with them.
Ellis, now 36, wants to show other persons with an ostomy that surgery can
be a beginning rather than an end. "My disease has made me appreciate life,
especially my family, to the fullest," he said. "I am thankful that such
medical procedures were available to me and that I have gone on to reach my
dreams and lead a full life. Now, I want to help others push through their
hardships."
Robert Hill, Seven Summits Climber
At 23 years of age, Robert Hill was an avid mountain climber, adventure
racer and triathlete. Then, wracked by debilitating diarrhea, cramping and
pain, he was diagnosed with Crohn's disease with ulcerative colitis, resulting
in ostomy surgery only a year and a half later.
Eight years after his life changing surgery, Hill decided to do something
about the social stigma surrounding intestinal diseases and having an ostomy.
He began a personal quest to become the first Crohn's patient and ostomate to
climb the Seven Summits, or the tallest peak on every continent, and in doing
so, raise awareness about living with inflammatory bowel disease and an
ostomy. From being barely able to make it up a flight of stairs due to the
debilitating effects of his condition, Hill has now completed six of the Seven
Summits, most recently Carstensz Pyramid on the Oceanic continent in April of
2007.
"The Seven Summits campaign grew from my love of sports, adventure and the
outdoors. By taking it to the extreme, and on a global basis, I hope to show
people everywhere that having these diseases or having an ostomy, like I do,
shouldn't stop anyone from leading a full life," said Hill. "You may not be
able to climb mountains, but there are so many other things that you can do."
He intends to complete his final summit, the biggest peak of all -- Mount
Everest -- this spring. As a global ambassador of the Great Comebacks(R)
Program, Hill travels the world, speaking with patients about his experiences
and encouraging people to get out and conquer their own personal summits.
About the Great Comebacks(R) Program
Now in its third decade, the Great Comebacks(R) Program honors
inspirational individuals who, by sharing their stories, give hope and
encouragement so that others, too, can reclaim their lives and pursue their
dreams. Sponsored by ConvaTec, a world-leading manufacturer of ostomy and
wound care products, with the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation (CCFA), the United
Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) and the Intestinal Diseases Education
and Awareness Society (IDEAS), the program also provides educational materials
and support for patients facing the physical and emotional challenges of these
debilitating diseases and transitioning to life after surgery. For more
information, visit the program 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.
Note to Editors:
Photography of the Great Comebacks(R) National Award Dinner is available.
For more information, please contact Etanjalie Ayala at (212) 445-8225 or
eayala@webershandwick.com.
References
(1) Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Organization Web Site. Viewed
at: http://www.ccfa.org/about/press/idbfacts. Accessed February 22,
2008.
(2) Wolfe MJ. UOA Facts and Figures. Ostomy Association of Boston.
March/April 1999. In United Ostomy Association Inc. Evansville Indiana
Chapter Re-Route Newsletter. 2000 Oct;(28)1.Viewed at
http://www.ostomy.evansville.net/octobernews2.htm. Accessed February
22, 2008.

Great Comebacks is a registered trademark of E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
(C) 2008 E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.

Contacts:
Punnie Donohue Nimisha Savani Pete Paradossi
Weber Shandwick ConvaTec Bristol-Myers Squibb
Phone: 201-704-2263 Phone: 908-904-2522 Phone: 812-429-7413
PDonohue@webershandwick.com Nimisha.Savani@bms.com Pete.Paradossi@bms.com

SOURCE Great Comebacks

Punnie Donohue of Weber Shandwick, +1-201-704-2263,
PDonohue@webershandwick.com; Nimisha Savani of ConvaTec, +1-908-904-2522,
Nimisha.Savani@bms.com; Pete Paradossi of Bristol-Myers Squibb,
+1-812-429-7413, Pete.Paradossi@bms.com