Vancouver: August 31, 2009 – Sixteen-year old Clinton Shard has never climbed a mountain. At the age of 12, he had to give up most of his favorite activities, which included hiking and rock climbing, due to a diagnosis of a serious condition called Crohn’s disease. Despite this, he is leaving his hometown of Squamish, B.C. on September 5 on the trip of a lifetime to Tanzania. Clinton, and a team of climbers, are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds and awareness in support of people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

Climbing Kilimanjaro is the second biggest challenge Clinton has faced. He was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 12, forcing the avid athlete to miss months of school, stop playing soccer, riding his bike and even hanging out with his friends.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease, which includes two similar yet distinct conditions known as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, can be diagnosed at any age, but is typically diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 35. These diseases affect the digestive system and cause the intestinal tissue to become inflamed, form sores and bleed easily. For many, the symptoms of this disease affect their emotional well-being and quality of life.

Fortunately for Clinton, with the help of his medical team, he is able to effectively manage his disease symptoms, giving him the freedom to return to his normal activities – and more.

“Kilimanjaro isn’t easy for anyone, especially someone with IBD, but after the battle of a lifetime I have just endured I am glad to have the ability to push my body to the limit and take on this challenge,” says Clinton. “My battle with Crohn’s disease has given me the mental strength to climb Kilimanjaro. To get the physical strength I need, I have worked with an amazing team of doctors and fought hard to get to where I am. My Crohn’s disease is now well-managed thanks to one of the newer biologic drugs available and is providing me the freedom to return to all of the activities I love. I want to show anyone with an illness that you can accomplish your goals, whatever they may be.”

Clinton is climbing Kilimanjaro as a part of a team of six people led by Crohn’s patient Rob Hill, who is the founder of the Intestinal Disease Education and Awareness Society, or I.D.E.A.S. An avid triathlete, adventure racer, climber and mountaineer, Hill didn’t let having his colon removed, or living with an ostomy, stop him from achieving his goals either. This climb up Mount Kilimanjaro is part of his Seven Summits campaign - the Seven Summits being the highest peak on each of the seven continents – in which Hill plans to climb each summit to raise awareness and funds for intestinal diseases.

“By taking it to the extreme, I hope to show other people living with a chronic intestinal problem that it shouldn’t stop you from living life,” says Hill. “‘Changing Attitudes with Altitude’ means changing perceptions about people with IBD. It also means changing the attitudes of people with IBD about their own quality of life, and inspiring them to strive for the best possible treatment so that they can reach their goals, no matter what they are.”

The Kilimanjaro climb is raising funds for I.D.E.A.S. and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC). On this particular climb, I.D.E.A.S. is donating funds to programs for children with IBD, such as a summer camp for kids who suffer from conditions like IBD so that they can enjoy outdoor activities with kids they can relate to.

To donate to the “Changing Attitudes with Altitude” campaign, or follow Clinton as he trains for and climbs Mount Kilimanjaro, visit www.IBDAdventures.com.

Clinton Shard's climb up Mount Kilimanjaro is supported by Abbott, a global, broad-based health care company.