On November 2nd at a special dinner in Princeton, NJ, Great Comebacks^® was proud to recognize Charles (Chuck) Wielgus, this year’s West Region recipient.

Chuck, who was introduced by Rolf, shared his inspirational story in front of a group of esteemed ostomy care nurses at our final regional event of 2010. As Executive Director of USA Swimming^®, Chuck discussed how the members of his swimming family along with his family, friends and healthcare team – the “coaches” and “assistant coaches” as he referred to his surgeons and nurses – helped him rise from his depression and resume a full and active life.

The Great Comebacks^® program, Chuck remarked, “has given me the opportunity to talk about getting on with one’s life with a renewed sense of energy and purpose. It’s about having a positive attitude and helping others to appreciate that we’ve been given a second chance to enjoy our families, our friends and our work. Living with a permanent ostomy hasn’t prevented me from doing anything or traveling anywhere. I don’t view this recognition as any sort of an award, but rather as a public statement of commitment that I want to find ways to help raise awareness and support others who must deal with the day-to-day challenges of colorectal cancer, IBD or an ostomy.”

Sending their congratulations to Chuck with letters of commendation were Representative Doug Lamborn and Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado.

About ConvaTec

ConvaTec is a leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies that have helped improve the lives of millions of people worldwide. With four key focus areas – Ostomy Care, Wound Therapeutics, Continence and Critical Care, and Infusion Devices – ConvaTec products support health care professionals from the hospital to the community health setting. For more information, please visit www.ConvaTec.com.

About the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses (WOCN) Society

The WOCN Society is a professional nursing society that promotes educational, clinical and research opportunities to advance the practice and guide the delivery of expert health care to individuals with wounds, ostomies and incontinence. Membership includes more 4,700 healthcare professionals who are experts in the care of patients with wound, ostomy and incontinence. For more information, please visit www.WOCN.org.