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Index: Pages/ Home, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
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By Mark Bercik
Former Youngstown State University Head Baseball Coach and Boardman resident Mike Florak is a nominee for the National Great Comebacks Award. The award is presented to a person who has survived Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (the two forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease or IBD), or intestinal cancer, and has gone on to be an example to others that life continues after diagnosis.
The award is sponsored by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) and ConvaTec, a Bristol--Meyers Squibb company. The Great Comebacks Program was founded 20 years ago by former NFL player Rolf Benirschke. Benirschke himself is a survivor of a severe case of ulcerative colitis. He endured several surgeries and came back to play most of his career in the NFL after being diagnosed.
Benirschke presented Florak with the Central Region Great Comebacks Award Nov. 5, 2007 at a ceremony at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Cleveland. The three other regional nominees are Wendy Leuder, who started her own chapter of the United Ostomy Association of America (UOAA) in Broward County, Fla; Jeff Larsen, a photojournalist from Seattle; and Scott Ellis, a firefighter from Connecticut. All four nominees will be present for the announcement of the National Great Comebacks Award winner ceremony in late February, to be held in Washington D.C.
It is estimated that nearly two million people in the United States have IBD. Florak was diagnosed with Crohn's in 1989 at the age of 22. During the next eight years he endured eight flare ups of the disease, which is a digestive disorder that features flu-like symptoms. Four times he lost 40 pounds and gained it all back. Four other times he lost 60 pounds and gained it all back. Florak also endured four blood transfusions and eight surgeries, including the removal of his entire large intestine.
After all of his trials, he was named head
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baseball coach at Waynesburg (Pa) University. After two successful seasons, Florak became one of the youngest Division I Head Baseball Coaches in the country when he was hired at YSU in the fall of 1998 at the age of 31. After coaching YSU for nine years, Florak resigned this past October.
He has different priorities now, as he is working in several businesses and entering the public speaking field.
During the past five years, Florak has shared his inspiring story to nearly 75 chapters of the CCFA and UOAA all over the country. He has been a featured speaker at numerous churches, schools, and other organizations, and is seeking representation to be a full-time speaker. He also wrote a book about his struggle with the disease entitled "Healthier Than Normal." "It is important to me that I serve as an example to others who have suffered not only with IBD, but with any challenges. I am deeply honored and appreciative of the confidence shown in me by Rolf and the Great Comebacks Board," Florak said.
Great Comebacks Board members and past winners of the award include Benirschke, actress and former Miss America Mary Ann Mobley, former golfer Al Geiberger, Marvin Bush (brother of U.S. President George Bush), and former White House Aide Tony Snow. Other recognizable IBD patients include Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard, actor John York, ABC News correspondent Cynthia McFadden, and Mike McCready of the rock group Pearl Jam.
Florak credits many others with his comeback. "I am very thankful to God, my family and friends, and my great doctors at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the Ohio State Medical School. Thanks to their help, I am in a position to help others. And that is the most important thing, to help others and to stay as positive as possible. It is not what happens to you, it is what you do about it," Florak said.
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