November 1 marks a special month for the Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis community—the beginning of Awareness Month for Crohn’s and colitis.
It is an opportunity to bring to light what these diseases entail: symptoms, both obvious and hidden, the treatments and their effects, the other diseases a person may be living with, as well as the physical and mental obstacles.
It is our duty to raise awareness of the realities of these illnesses, and while these diseases are definitely not fun, we can have some fun testing your knowledge of Crohn’s and colitis!
This year, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada shared some monumental new information and knowledge that will change the way we see these diseases. Findings from our Genetic, Environmental, Microbial (GEM) Project—15 years in the making—offer realistic hope for a cure. Our 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada report provided a comprehensive snapshot of the state of care and the implications for the future, and an eye-opening look at where more support is needed.
All month long, we will be sharing quizzes and stories through social media and our website as well as lighting major landmarks in red to help everyone learn a little bit more knowledge about Crohn’s and colitis, and to spark those important conversations to raise awareness. Knowledge to fight misconception, knowledge to educate those who are unaware, and knowledge to help those currently living with Crohn’s and colitis and need help is what we’re all about for this year’s Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month
Here is our schedule for the month:
November 1 to 7
Quiz #1: Facts and Myths about Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Story #1: Sara Levitt: Learning to live with an ostomy
November 8 to 14
Quiz #2: Treatments for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Story #2: Alexandra Chaves and TLN: Learning how to live with IBD
November 15 to 21
Quiz #3: All about our community.
Story #3: Kenzie Cameron: Unified front
November 22 to November 27
Landmark Lighting
Like every year, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada is working with municipalities across the country to “light it up” in red! From Victoria, BC to St. John’s, Newfoundland, we will be united to raise awareness about Crohn’s and colitis.
Landmarks that will be lit up from provinces west to east throughout the month:
British Columbia
November 7: BC Place - Vancouver, British Columbia
November 7: Canada Place - Vancouver, British Columbia
November 7: Science World - Vancouver, British Columbia
November 7: Vancouver City Hall - Vancouver, British Columbia
November 7: Burrard Street Bridge - Vancouver, British Columbia
November 7: Lafarge Lake - Coquitlam, British Columbia
November 7: BC Legislature - Victoria, British Columbia
Alberta
November 21: Reconciliation Bridge - Calgary, Alberta
November 26: Calgary Tower - Calgary, Alberta
November 27: High Level Bridge - Edmonton, Alberta
November 27: Lethbridge City Hall - Lethbridge, Alberta
Saskatchewan
November 1: RCMP Heritage Centre - Regina, Saskatchewan
November 1: Regina City Hall Front Foyer - Regina, Saskatchewan
November 1: University of Saskatchewan - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Manitoba
November 1: Manitoba Legislative Building - Winnipeg, Manitoba
November 1: Alloway Hall, Manitoba Museum - Winnipeg, Manitoba
November 6: Winnipeg Sign & Bridge - Winnipeg, Manitoba
Ontario
November 1: Niagara Falls – Niagara Falls, Ontario
November 1: Welland Bridge - Welland, Ontario
November 1: Brock University - St. Catherines, Ontario
November 1: Hamilton City Hall & Signature Sign - Hamilton, Ontario
November 1: Waterloo City Hall - Waterloo, Ontario
November 1: RBC Place - London, Ontario
November 1: Sarnia City Hall - Sarnia, Ontario
November 1: Windsor City Hall - Windsor, Ontario
November 1: Brampton City Hall – Brampton, Ontario
November 1: Mississauga Civic Centre – Mississauga, Ontario
November 1: 3D Toronto Sign - Toronto, Ontario
November 1: City of Barrie Meridian Place Canopy - Barrie, Ontario
November 1: City of Sault Ste. Marie- Ronald A. Irwin Civic Centre Sign - Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
November 4: CN Tower – Toronto, Ontario
November 30: Collingwood Clock Tower - Collingwood, Ontario
November 30: City of Thunder Bay Fountain at City Hall - Thunder Bay, Ontario
New Brunswick
November 1: Dieppe City Hall – Dieppe, New Brunswick
November 15: Moncton City Hall – Moncton, New Brunswick
November 27: NB Legislative Assembly Building – Fredericton, New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
November 2-5: Nova Scotia Legislature Building - Halifax, Nova Scotia
November 3: Halifax City Hall - Halifax, Nova Scotia
November 20-30: City Hall for Cape Breton Regional Municipality - Sydney, Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island
November 1: Summerside City Hall - Summerside, Prince Edward Island
November 3: Charlottetown City Hall – Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland
November 1 – 30: Torbay Town Hall – Torbay, Newfoundland
November 1: Gander Town Hall – Gander, Newfoundland
November 1: St. John's City Hall - St. John's, Newfoundland
November 10: House of Assembly, Newfoundland and Labrador - St. John's, Newfoundland
Be sure to take a picture if you come across one of our landmarks and share it with us on social media by tagging us at @getgutsycanada!
What else is happening this month?
Toilet Paper Dress Fashion Show Fundraiser
Date: November 24, 2023
Time: 7pm – 9:30pm
Where: The Northbury Hotel and Conference Centre 50 Brady St, Sudbury ON P3E 1C8 (Map)
Join us for a one-of-a-kind toilet paper fashion show! Purchase your event tickets, donate, sponsor, or enter our toilet paper dress contest!
Please visit our website for tickets and event details or contact Nicole at nsage...crohnsandcolitis...ca.
Thank you for supporting the Gutsy Runway! We will be sure to roll out the red carpet for you!
Managing Your IBD: What You Should Know
Date: November 28, 2023
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 pm ET
Join us for our webinar on November 28th from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM ET to learn about the different ways to manage your Crohn’s and colitis and to navigate conversations with your healthcare providers.
You will have the opportunity to hear about how managing your symptoms, finding the right medication, taking care of your mental health, and maintaining a healthy routine play a role in taking control of your IBD. Find out about how healthcare providers keep track of your well-being during medical visits and receive practical tips for monitoring your health at home.
Get advice and resources to prepare for your medical appointments, initiate meaningful conversations with your healthcare team, and make changes to your management plan.
Ask your questions ahead of time when you register or live during the event. This event is bilingual in English and French.
Speaker:
Dr. Ian Epstein is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is currently serving as the Assistant Dean of Professional Affairs at the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie. He completed Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology training at Dalhousie and started his practice in 2009. His clinical interests include inflammatory bowel disease and functional bowel disorders. Dr. Epstein is also the co-division lead for the Division of Gastroenterology and the vice-chair of the Internal Medicine Specialty Committee at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He was the recipient of the Young Alumnus of the Year Award from the Dalhousie Medical Alumni Association, the Stephen Couban Outstanding Faculty Residents Choice Award from the Department of Medicine, and the 2018 Physician of the Year Award from Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.
Barbara Currie is an IBD Nurse Practitioner in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She graduated with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing from Dalhousie University and started her practice in 2006. Her work is focused on IBD with a special interest in pediatric-to-adult transition, patient-centered care, senior care, as well as IBD care for marginalized groups. Barbara is a founding member of the Canadian IBD Nursing Group (CANIBD) and is involved in many Crohn’s and Colitis Canada initiatives, including the development of the IBD Conversation Guide. She was the recipient of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s IBD Nurse of the Year Award in 2019.
Neetisha Lala is from Ontario, Canada. She has been living with Crohn’s disease since her diagnosis at the age of 18. Over the years, she has experienced many complications associated with living with an invisible illness, and in 2018, Neetisha was able to get her severely active disease under control. In an effort to use her experiences to provide support in the community and help raise awareness, she started volunteering with Crohn’s and Colitis Canada that year. She has participated in many Gutsy Walks and has been a Gutsy Support Mentor at our organization. Neetisha hopes her volunteer efforts will help those in our IBD community feel seen, supported, and understood.
How to Register:
Register for the webinar on November 28, 2023 at 7:00 pm ET. Can't attend live? Register for the webinar and we'll send you a link to the recording. Please submit your questions ahead of time using the registration form.
Winnipeg’s Annual Comedy Night
Date: November 30, 2023
Time: 7:45pm
Location: Rumor's Restaurant & Comedy Club, 2025 Corydon Ave.Winnipeg (Map)
Comedian: Ivan Decker
Price: Tickets are $15 and half the proceeds go directly to the chapter.
We want to see a full house so make sure to invite your friends and family!
Tickets will go fast! Make sure you purchase your tickets early!
We will be holding a 50/50 draw at the event, so don't forget to bring cash!
If you have any questions or would like to purchase tickets please contact Aryssa Rowe at arowe...crohnsandcolitis...ca or 204-688-9076 before November 21st.
***NO tickets will be available at the door.
***Please remember this is an 18+ event.
Get Involved
Share your stories on social media and tag us at @getgutsycanada, email us at socialmedia...crohnsandcolitis...ca, or find us on Facebook/LinkedIn at Crohn’s and Colitis Canada!
Or use the hashtag #crohnscolitismonth2023 !
When you share your story, you share your ups and downs that help others better understand the realities of these illnesses and also help those who may be going through a tough time.