Breaking News: June, 2002

Gideon J. Sofer/ibdcure.org: Personal Address

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Highland Park, NJ/ibdcure.org:

Dear Supporters,

Over the last seventeen years, I've spent my life surviving an immensely
devastating disease in which more than 4,000,000 people withstand around the
globe everyday. Two years ago, I decided that I wanted to see a significant
change in the way the world views bowel diseases. I wanted more awareness, I
wanted more funding, and I wanted more acceptance.

Today, Inflammatory Bowel Disease is gaining greater recognition than ever
before. Whether it be on the street, in hospitals, or down on Capitol Hill,
IBD is no longer a silent condition...and I am emphatically proud to say
that this is only the beginning.

Two years ago, with the help of some amazing people and most importantly,
you, I formed what was known as the 'IBD Stamp Campaign.' Today, we are
still working towards a goal which I thought up several years ago--and
today, we are closer to that goal than ever before.

Since the beginning of the Campaign, we've collected close to 4,000
signatures from people in nearly ever state in the Union, and many countries
around the globe. Over 75% of those signatures have come electronically
through our website, and this summer, more than 2,000 additional signatures
are set to printed, bound, and forwarded to the US Postal Service's review
committee. Additionally, with the help of Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.,
and fellow Congressmen and Senators, we are currently working to promptly
introduce legislation which will put pressure on the Postal Service to "fast
track" the stamp approval.

This spring, we announced new initiatives within the Campaign. The IBD Stamp
Campaign has now grown into 'The ibdcure.org Foundation International." The
Foundation is currently obtaining nonprofit status from the IRS, and was
formed to essentially "do more" than just approve a postage stamp through
the Postal Service. For example:

During the course of High School, I have had my federal civil rights under
the Americans with Disabilities Act violated by my Public School District.
Under these laws, the District failed to provide me with an equal
opportunity in my education at a time when I was deathly ill. When I did
extensive research on the "status" of education in America, I was especially
frustrated to find that my case with my District was just one of very many.
I decided that this Foundation was going to make "ensuring an equal
opportunity for the disabled" a key initiative in our immediate future. It
is of primary importance that the public speak up to publicly elected
officials, and the President, and hold them to their words that it is
unacceptable to leave any child behind. The reality however, is students
with chronic illnesses, such as myself, are getting left behind in the dust
everyday--and because of this, there needs to be a call for change in
educational policy across the nation and around the globe.

Other new initiatives recently announced include further advocacy
objectives, as well as initiatives for the Foundation to speak publicly at
various events and in school districts to further raise awareness and
acceptance of IBD and chronic illness.

And the website: Well, we've heard your feedback, and rest assured, we are
working towards a whole new 'ibdcure.org.' Over the summer, 'the new
ibdcure.org' will be launched featuring special sections which will let
nonprofits and school district know how to contact us for speaking
engagements, as well as a special advocacy section dedicated to bettering
the well-being of those with illness in America and around the globe. We
hope you're anxiously awaiting our brand new, completely restructured, and
enhanced website just as much as we are!

Before I sign off, I wanted to take the time to let you know that your
voices have been undoubtedly heard. By you coming to our website, signing
our Stamp Proposal, giving your feedback via email, and quite simply, by
being on our email list--is all making a huge difference in our ability to
reach our goals, and most importantly, in the lives of people with IBD and
other serious health conditions. You need to know that without your help,
we'd quite honestly be nowhere near where we are today. So I personally want
to that each of you for the extraordinary generosity of your support.

...and if you've got a moment before you sign off, keep spreading the word
either by forwarding this email to a friend, or by visiting our referral
form on our site at: http://www.ibdcure.org/ac/email.html .

Thank you for your time--and as always, wishing you all the best of health.


With gratitude,

Gideon J. Sofer, Survivor

Crohn's Disease

President, The ibdcure.org Foundation International

On the web @ http://www.ibdcure.org

By email at: gideon@...