Overcoming Crohn's Disease To Help Others

Saturday, March 1, 2008

(NAPSA)—In the years following Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of New Orleans, thousands traveled there to help revive the city once known for its spirit and soul. Among them was Adam Pep- perman, a young man entering college for the first time. Pepperman was among the thousands of students who dedicated time and effort to help get a prized community back on track. But his desire to help was deeply rooted in a personal mission. At the age of 14, Pepperman was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. The disease would impact him for the rest of his life and force him to make major sacrifices, or so he was told. He learned early on to defy odds and to follow his dreams no matter what obstacles stood before him—an outlook on life that made Pepperman stand out among more than 1,000 applicants for the UCB Crohn’s Scholarship Program. Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition that affects the digestive system. People with Crohn’s often endure fatigue, abdominal cramping and the frequent and urgent need to use the restroom. The spontaneity of symptoms makesit difficult to live normally and even more difficult to make long-term commitments, such as attending school and traveling. “T found myself unwilling to accept what I had been told,” said Pepperman ofhis diagnosis. “T was determined to continue with my life plans and learned to embrace the challenges that lay ahead.” Helping others has grown to be one of Pepperman’s passions, something that has given Pepperman meaningto life. Prior to dedicating time in New Orleans, Pepperman traveled to Ecuador and Honduras to volunteer at local hospitals to help the sick. In the Adam Pepperman has spenthis life helping others, looking beyond his own medical issues. summer of 2008, he traveled to the Dominican Republic, completing health surveys in the nation’s poorest regions to help foster support for a clinic. Pepperman’s inspirational outlook on life while living with a disease that causes both physical and emotional pain led to him being named one of the Crohn's Scholarship winners, a program sponsored by UCB. Pepperman wasoneof 31 winners selected for 2008. The program recognizes individuals who demonstrate academic ambition and embrace a way oflife that overcomes the boundaries of living with Crohn’s disease. The Crohn’s Scholarship Program is one of the largest pharmaceutical-funded scholarships currently available for Crohn’s disease patients. UCB awards a total of $300,000 in one-time scholarships of up to $10,000 to people diag- nosed with Crohn’s disease who are entering or currently enrolled in college, or to adults of any age returning to school. To date, the company has awarded more than $700,000 to fund people’s education. More information on the 2008 winners and applications for the 2009 scholarship program can be found at www.CrohnsAndMe.com.

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