A unifying feeling for many people after ostomy
surgery is that they can again lead a full and productive life. The Great
Comebacks® Program recognizes these inspirational individuals,
both in their personal lives and in their contributions to their communities.
Introducing the 2009 South Region Award Recipients
The Great Comebacks® awards program kicked off our 2009 regional awards program – and the first event in celebration of our 25th Anniversary! – on September 10th at the Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurses (WOCN) Society Southeast Conference in Jacksonville, FL.
Rolf, together with our partners and ConvaTec, honored our remarkable recipients from the South region at the special evening event:
The recipients shared heartwarming and inspirational remarks during the ceremony – Sara highlighted her triumph of earning a spot on her high school varsity golf team; Tyler, his determination to return to the sports field after ostomy surgery; and Father Donovan, the vitality and serenity regained after many years of struggling with inflammatory bowel disease.
As Father Donovan noted in his remarks, “I have learned not to take any good fortune for granted and that my struggle was actually a blessing that taught me compassion and understanding for others with a chronic disease. I would like to reach out to those places in the world where ostomy surgery is still not an option for those who suffer from IBD, especially children. People everywhere with IBD, at home and abroad, should be feeling well and experiencing the fulfillment of their dreams as caring and productive citizens. The blessing of good health and the fulfillment that comes with being of service to others is the greatest comeback award of all.”
Members of Congress, including Senator Bill Nelson of Florida and Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida and Kenny Marchant of Texas, added to the chorus of congratulations for our recipients with letters of commendation.
Great Comebacks® Program Founder Rolf Benirschke welcomed guests to
the South region awards ceremony, the first of four regional events celebrating our 25th Anniversary.
Prior to the ceremony, Rolf (center back) posed for photos with recipients Father Dennis Donovan, SDB (left), Sara Biesiadny (front) and Tyler Kalbac (right).
Father Donovan shared uplifting, and humorous, comments about his life pre and post ostomy surgery.
Advice from one placekicker to another – Rolf gave a few football pointers to Tyler.
Rolf read a Congressional letter of commendation for Sara, who wowed the audience with her smile.
About the Great Comebacks® Program
Now in its third decade, the Great Comebacks® Program raises awareness of quality of life issues for people with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, colorectal cancer and other disorders than can lead to ostomy surgery. The program also provides educational materials and support for individuals facing the emotional as well as physical challenges of these debilitating diseases and transitioning to life after surgery. For more information, please visit www.GreatComebacks.com.
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 business divisions – 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. From its headquarters in Skillman, New Jersey, the company oversees more than 8,000 employees in over 90 countries serving consumers and their health care professionals on six continents. 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 4,200 healthcare professionals who are experts in the care of patients with wound, ostomy and incontinence. For more information, please visit www.WOCN.org.
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