The Gutsy Walk raises $3 million for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
Toronto, ON, June 6, 2018 – Over 20,000 Canadians from across the country united at the Gutsy Walk on Sunday, June 3 to raise awareness and funds for Crohn’s and colitis, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases that often go unseen.
“People who live with Crohn’s or colitis may have a hard time opening up about living with their disease,” said Mina Mawani, President and CEO of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. “When you’re constantly dealing with pain, fatigue, and repeated washroom trips, and when those symptoms aren’t always evident to others, it’s not easy to talk about.”
By being a part of the Gutsy Walk, participants created welcoming and understanding environments for the people in their communities affected by Crohn’s or colitis. Funds raised through the walk will support Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s research projects and patient support programs.
“It’s so important that people affected by Crohn’s or colitis know they’re not alone,” said 14-year-old Matthew O’Halloran, who lives with Crohn’s disease and is the 2018 Gutsy Walk National Honorary Chair. “When I see people making connections at the Gutsy Walk, I know that we’re creating more understanding about the diseases, and giving hope that people can live well in spite of them.”
Donations to the Gutsy Walk will be accepted until July 5, 2018, and can be made at
www.gutsywalk.ca.
About Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis – the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – are autoimmune diseases that cause the body to attack healthy tissue, leading to the inflammation of all or part of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, fatigue, internal bleeding, and frequent and urgent bowel movements, in some cases over 20 times a day. Canada has some of the highest incidence rates of Crohn’s and colitis in the world, with approximately 250,000 people diagnosed. One Canadian is newly diagnosed with Crohn’s or colitis every hour.
About Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada is the only national, volunteer-based charity focused on finding the cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and improving the lives of children and adults affected by these diseases. We are one of the top two health charity funders of Crohn’s and colitis research in the world, investing over $115 million in research to date. We are transforming the lives of people affected by Crohn’s and colitis (the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease) through research, patient programs, advocacy, and awareness.
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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Rasheed Clarke
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
416-920-5035 x 215
rclarke@crohnsandcolitis.ca
Nic Canning
Account Manager
Smithcom Ltd.
413-992-7187
nic.canning@smithcom.ca