Matthew Sebastiani, President of the Vancouver Chapter of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
May 16, 2024 Vancouver, BC – More people in Vancouver will have access to 149 bathroom facilities when they need them as a result of the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Park Board joining Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s GoHere™ Washroom Access Program. These City-owned washroom facilities can now be easily found on the free GoHere™ washroom locator app.
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada CEO Lori Radke says: “A big thank you to the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Park Board for joining our GoHere™ Washroom Access Program and making their washroom locations searchable. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can cause an urgent need to use a washroom. Knowing where publicly available washrooms are located will make it easier for people with these diseases to manage their symptoms and lead active, productive and fulfilling lives.”
Matthew Sebastiani, President of the Vancouver Chapter of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, says: “We’re thrilled to receive the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Park Board’s support and for promoting washroom access in our community. This is going to make a difference in the lives of people with Crohn’s and colitis – as well as those with other conditions that lead to incontinence.”
The GoHere™ washroom locator free app, downloaded 46,000 times to date, identifies nearby available washrooms – no questions asked. Currently, the app has 3,450 washrooms listed across Canada.
This announcement coincides with World IBD Day on May 19, which has the goal of bringing attention to the challenges of living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
“The City of Vancouver is proud to support Crohn’s and Colitis Canada in making our public washrooms easy to locate through the GoHere™ Program,” said Mayor Ken Sim. “We strive to remove barriers that prevent anyone from fully enjoying our beautiful and vibrant city. And on World IBD Day, we stand in solidarity with those affected by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.”
We see Vancouver’s parks and greenspaces as places of respite and comfort to all those who enjoy them,” says Vancouver Park Board Chair Brennan Bastyovanszky. “Partnering with Crohn’s and Colitis Canada on the GoHere™ Program is a welcome step towards our Parks Washroom Strategy vision of providing washrooms that are safe, clean, and accessible to all park users.”
The City of Vancouver joins other cities across Canada and British Columbia that participate in GoHere™, including Burnaby, Coquitlam, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, and Surrey.
For more information, visit: crohnsandcolitis.ca/gohere. Organizations that want to find out more about joining can email gohere@crohnsandcolitis.ca
About Crohn’s and Colitis
More than 320,000 Canadians live with Crohn’s or colitis today and an estimated 470,000 by 2035. In 2023, 11,000 people were estimated to be diagnosed, meaning a new diagnosis every 48 minutes in Canada. 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.
About Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
Celebrating 50 years in 2024, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada is on a relentless journey to transform the lives of people affected by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis by finding the cures for these lifelong diseases and improving the quality of life of everyone affected.
Follow us at crohnsandcolitis.ca, @getgutsycanada on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok, and at Crohn’s and Colitis Canada on YouTube and LinkedIn.
About the GoHere™ Washroom Access Program
The GoHere™ Washroom Locator App helps people find the closest available washroom anywhere in Canada, as a significant concern for those living with Crohn’s or colitis is accessing washrooms quickly when they are away from home. The overall Program engages businesses, governments and other organizations to make their bathrooms available to members of the public, showing support for those with conditions that cause incontinence. The app is free and available for iPhone and Android devices.
Media Contacts
Matthew Sebastiani
President, Vancouver Chapter - Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
vancouverchapter@crohnsandcolitis.ca
604-842-5360