World IBD Day, led by patient organizations representing 27 countries on four continents, will officially be celebrated on May 19, 2010. Patient groups from the United States, Canada, Australia, 23 European nations, and Brazil are working to draw awareness to IBD.

IBD, which stands for inflammatory bowel diseases, is comprised of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis — two serious, chronic digestive diseases that affect five million people worldwide (1.4 million in the U.S. alone). Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis directly affect the digestive system and cause intestinal tissue to become inflamed, form sores, and bleed easily. There is no cure, no known cause, and little public understanding of the pain and chronic suffering with which IBD patients courageously cope every day of their lives.