Lon Blumenthal

1985 Great Comebacks^® Award Recipient

Even prior to receiving the Great Comebacks^® Award in 1985, Lon Blumenthal was committed to living a full life. Today, he continues his active lifestyle of working as a management consultant, hiking, star gazing, traveling and helping others with digestive diseases.

Lon’s struggle with Crohn’s disease began in his late teens. He battled worsening symptoms throughout college and then in his mid 20s underwent multiple operations, including ileostomy surgery. While the road back was long and difficult at times, he fully recovered and went back to work and continued to run, hike and climb. He and his wife, Annette, also decided to start a family and had three wonderful children.

Over the years, Lon has scaled the highest peaks in California, Colorado, New Hampshire and even Australia and Tokyo. Climbing, however, isn’t his only passion. Lon also enjoys playing the piano, observing the night sky as an “amateur” astronomer and is currently writing a business book on leading teams through change.

Throughout his journey, Lon, 61 of Hawthorn Woods, IL, remains committed to being a role model to others. Lon volunteers with the United Ostomy Associations of America and speaks with patients undergoing ostomy surgery. “I didn’t let my disease keep me from climbing and others shouldn’t let their condition stop them from pursuing their dreams,” said Lon. “My ostomy has offered me a priceless opportunity to get out there and live a full life and I haven’t looked back once!”