AbbVie IBD Scholarships make life easier for students with Crohn’s or colitis 

AbbVie IBD Scholarships make life easier for students with Crohn’s or colitis  spelled on a library background

February 15, 2024 – Submissions open today for 15 postsecondary scholarships for students living with Crohn’s or colitis who will each receive a $5,000 AbbVie IBD scholarship in fall 2024. 

Abbvie IBD Scholarship winner, Simon Pan

Simon Pan, a 2023 recipient, commented on how the scholarship made a difference for him:

“The AbbVie IBD Scholarship helped alleviate my financial stress. I’m grateful to have started medical school, but the tuition is expensive. It has been stressful for me to think about managing my debt. I’m very grateful because the scholarship contributed to my overall wellbeing as psychological stress has always been a trigger for my flare ups.” 

Students with Crohn’s or colitis face many challenges managing their diseases – on top of all the other challenges every postsecondary student faces,” said Lori Radke, President and CEO of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. “That’s why we’re proud to partner with AbbVie to support these students so they can pursue their dreams and goals.” 

Often, students living with Crohn’s or colitis are forced to miss out on extracurricular and social or entertainment activities, along with class time because of their disease. The goal of the AbbVie IBD Scholarship is to reduce some of their stress by lessening the financial challenges associated with their education.
 

Information about the scholarships:

  • Details at ibdscholarship.ca 
  • Deadline for applications is extended to July 4, 2024, at 11:59 pm (local time)
  • Recipients are selected based on their passion for academics and their contribution to the Crohn’s and colitis community 

APPLY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP


We are incredibly proud of our longstanding partnership with Crohn’s and Colitis Canada in support of this meaningful program,” said Rami Fayed, Vice President and General Manager of AbbVie Canada. “Each year, a great number of inspiring young people apply for these scholarships. We are extremely pleased to assist the fifteen worthy recipients selected annually as they pursue higher education and reach their full potential.” 

Since 2012, $750,000 has been awarded to 139 students. 

PROFILES OF PAST RECIPIENTS 

Crohn’s and Colitis in Canada 

322,600 Canadians live with Crohn’s or colitis today. It is estimated that number will grow to 470,000 by 2035. These diseases can be diagnosed at any age, but the typical age of onset is early adulthood, typically between age 20-29, although more diagnoses are now occurring in children. Crohn’s and colitis cause the body to attack healthy tissue in the bowels, which causes inflammation of all or part of the gastrointestinal tract. The most common symptoms include severe abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, internal bleeding, and the unpredictable and urgent need to use the washroom. 

2023 IBD IN CANADA REPORT SUMMARY

About Crohn’s and Colitis Canada 

We are on a relentless journey to transform the lives of people affected by Crohn’s and colitis by delivering impact at all stages of life, in every corner of the country, by 

  • Finding the cures for these lifelong diseases, and 
  • Improving the quality of life of everyone affected by these diseases. 

Read our 2023-2026 Strategic Plan

Follow us at crohnsandcolitis.ca, @getgutsycanada on FacebookTwitterInstagramTiktok, and YouTube or at Crohn’s and Colitis Canada on LinkedIn

About AbbVie Canada 

We're a company that takes on the toughest health challenges. AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.  

For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.ca and www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbviecanada on Twitter or find us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram

  • Canada has among the highest incidence rates of Crohn's and colitis in the world.
  • 1 in 140 Canadians lives with Crohn’s or colitis.
  • Families new to Canada are developing these diseases for the first time.
  • Incidence of Crohn’s in Canadian kids under 10 has doubled since 1995.
  • People are most commonly diagnosed before age 30.

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