May 18, 2021 Breaking the Silence Around IBD May 19th marks a very special day in our calendar. Why? Because it’s World IBD Day! Today people all over the world will unite to make inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) visible and show support for the resilient community of over 10 million people, including the 300,000 Canadians, taking on Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. IBD and the experiences that people who live with the disease face aren’t always talked about, which is why we need to break the silence. It’s by sparking conversations that we can continue to build supportive and inclusive communities that will help us pave the way towards a future without Crohn’s or colitis. Here are a few ways that you can get involved in World IBD Day to help #breakthesilence: Spark Conversations on Social: Take part in the global conversation! Share the story of your journey with IBD on social media to educate and inspire others. Be sure to tag @getgutsycanada and use #WorldIBDDay2021 to help start conversations within your circle and around the world. Put Your Photography Skills to Practice: Landmarks across Canada (and around the world!) will be lit purple tonight in celebration of World IBD Day so keep your eyes to the sky and snap a picture of a landmark in your community. Watch out for the CN Tower, Niagara Falls, Calgary Tower, Olympic Stadium, Les silos à grain du Vieux-Port de Québec, the Winnipeg Sign, and more! Remember to tag @getgutsycanada. Walk to Stop Crohn’s and Colitis: Sign up for our virtual Gutsy Walk! Join a tight-knit community of thousands of Canadians from coast to coast on Sunday, June 6th for the country’s largest fundraiser that raises awareness and fuels research and support programs. Encourage your friends, family members and coworkers to take part too! Are you already registered? Keep your fundraising efforts going! Raise $100 or more and receive Gutsy Walk t-shirt! Connect With a Team of Inspiring Superheroes: Help make #IBDVisible by volunteering with us or meet new people by joining us at our upcoming meetings and events. There are plenty of ways to get involved between volunteering with our GoHere program and virtual Gutsy Walk or connecting with local chapters. Learn and Share Interesting Facts about IBD: With Canada having one of the highest rates in the world, it is important to educate fellow Canadians about IBD. Help inform people in your community by directing them to or sharing information from our Impact of IBD in Canada report. Watch the Latest Episode of the Gutsy Learning Series: Watch the latest episode of the Gutsy Learning Series to learn all about the IMAGINE Network studies that explore the interactions between inflammation, the gut microbiome, and diet and mental health in people living with IBD and IBS.