5 million people live with it worldwide

5 million people live with it worldwide, do you know what it is?

NZ takes part in global campaign for World Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Day on May 19

Auckland, May 12 2015 – To mark this year’s World IBD Day, on May 19, New Zealand and more than 40 countries across the globe are coming together to take part in a video campaign as a unified effort to raise awareness of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

New Zealand is joining the team to support the more than 20,000 patients with Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis right here at home.

IBD affects people of all ages but is primarily a disease of young adults in the prime of their lives, with onset typically between the ages of 15-35.

These are people who need our help and support the most as they struggle with a difficult disease that can impact on their quality of life, says Crohn’s and Colitis New Zealand’s (CCNZ) Chairman, Brian Poole.

“This year’s efforts centre on a global video campaign encouraging anyone impacted by IBD to share their story in a short video with the unifying theme of “United We Stand.” This allows for friends and family to jump on board and get behind their loved ones.”

The campaign calls for anyone affected by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, whether it be patients, caregivers, gastroenterologists, nurses, family or friends, to submit a YouTube video sharing their story under the tag #UnitedWeStand2015. The videos will help to demonstrate the impact that IBD can have on the lives of patients and their support networks, and should aim to be no longer than 20 seconds long.

Cases of inflammatory bowel disease are growing at an alarming rate worldwide, including here in New Zealand, which gives us an even greater reason to get behind this global campaign, says Poole.

“World IBD Day gives the IBD medical and patient community an opportunity to join forces in the fight to raise awareness and help find cures.

“If you would like to get involved, please send your video to worldibdday@senateshj.co.nz. Your video will then be uploaded to Facebook and the international YouTube channel under the unifying tag #UnitedWeStand2015 on May 19“.

ENDS

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