Crohn’s and Colitis Canada volunteers, in partnership with staff, are making a difference in the lives of children and adults living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Our coast-to-coast network of thousands of volunteers are leaders in their communities, using the gift of time and talents to help people with inflammatory bowel disease by providing professional skills, educating others, advocating for healthy public policy and helping to raise money so that Crohn’s and Colitis Canada can continue to fund critical research, patient programs, advocacy and awareness initiatives.
Here is an overview of some of the areas volunteers are most involved with at Crohn’s and Colitis Canada:
Chapters
In more than 45 communities across Canada, local volunteer-led chapters and affiliates are a friendly place for people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis or caregivers, family and friends to meet others and get the support they need. Chapters also engage their communities by promoting local patient program delivery, growing the local volunteer base, raising funds and supporting awareness and involvement through activities like Open House events, hosting Gutsy Walks and promoting disease education and awareness and how Crohn’s and Colitis Canada can help.
Find out more about our regions and chapters here.
Gutsy Walk
Gutsy Walk is the signature, national fundraising event of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. It’s a fun, family-friendly way to meet new people, support a great cause and raise money for research. With over 60 events across Canada on the first Sunday in June each year, there’s an event near you that you can be a part of! A number of interesting committee roles offer you the chance to use your skills, meet new people and contribute to the more than $3.2 million raised each year towards research.
Visit gutsywalk.ca for more information.
Helping people with Crohn’s and colitis
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada relies on volunteers to deliver and support a number of important patient programs, including Camp Got2Go and our Gutsy Peer Support mentoring program for patients and caregivers. (You can help too by ensuring your local community is aware of and benefitting from these programs by driving local participation and where applicable, hosting local events).
Education, awareness and advocacy
As a leading health charity in Canada and the largest charity dedicated to Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada has a large mandate to help educate, inform and advocate for the 1 in 140 Canadians currently living with inflammatory bowel disease. Volunteers play a key role in sharing up-to-date information on health-related topics, attending health fairs and advocating for healthy public policy through programs like our GoHere Washroom Access Program, organizing education events locally, lighting up local landmarks for Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness month in November or supporting national activities.
Event planning and support
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada hosts a number of events throughout the year, both in-person and online, ranging in focus from education to support to fundraising. You can be part of a team that brings these events to life, enriching your local community and the lives of others. We invite volunteers to be part of the planning team as well as joining in on event day. These events are a great way to share your professional skills and grow your network!
Virtual or off-site volunteering
For some, volunteering virtually from the comfort of your own home is ideal. We can offer projects and activities that allow you the flexibility of making a difference from wherever you are. Whether it’s helping update information, doing online research or helping us stay active through social media, volunteering remotely is win-win.
Have questions?
Email us at: volunteer@crohnsandcolitis.ca
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