Today, Majority Leader Jon Cooper (D-Huntington) of the Suffolk County Legislature joined with numerous other elected officials and health advocates from across Long Island to announce the passage of his legislation that designates the week of April 22nd as "Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Awareness Week." The goal is to increase awareness about these devastating diseases, which have been diagnosed in an estimated 30,000 patients in Suffolk and Nassau Counties.

Crohn's disease is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract that affects over 1.4 million Americans. It can affect any part of the digestive system, although the small and large intestines are most commonly affected. The development of the disease often starts in the teenage years, though individuals in their 60s and 70s are also at increased risk. Those living with active Crohn’s disease are often extremely fatigued and have poor dietary intake, which can lead to anemia and weight loss.

Ulcerative colitis is also a disease of the intestine and is very similar to Crohn’s disease. Ulcerative colitis forms ulcers and open sores along the large intestine during the course of the disease. Ulcerative colitis is a systemic disease that not only affects the intestinal region but also has affects on other parts of the body.

Despite significant research, the causes of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis remain unknown, although it does appear that genetic and environmental factors may play a role.

"Education and awareness of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, as well as information about state-of-the art research and therapies, is vital to the population of Long Island," states Edda Ramsdell, Regional Executive Director of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, Inc., Long Island Chapter. "Awareness of resources to improve the quality of life for children and adults is readily available through the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Long Island Chapter. There is no reason for anyone who suffers to feel alone and Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Week will make that apparent."

"Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis dramatically affect the daily lives of more than 15,000 Suffolk County residents, as well as their families," states Legislator Cooper. "It is my sincerest hope that the designation of this week will increase public awareness about these horrible afflictions, encourage further research into the causes and help spur efforts to find a cure."

"By raising awareness of Crohns’s disease and ulcerative colitis, we are sending a message of care and comfort to people affected by the diseases, and hopefully speed the day when a cure will be found," said Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy.

"Crohn’s and colitis affect countless Americans across every demographic," says Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) of the Nassau County Legislature. "I encourage everyone to donate their time, efforts and money to finding a cure."

Cooper's resolution calls for "Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Awareness Week" to begin on Sunday, April 22nd and run through April 28th of this year. In subsequent years, the awareness week will commence on the last Sunday of April.