Apr 18, 2021 The value of one act of kindness. The power of many. Today marks the start of National Volunteer Week. Every year we look forward to celebrating this special time of year, as we are grateful for our amazing team of volunteers who generously donate their time and talents to make a positive, long-lasting and immeasurable impact on the lives of Canadians affected by Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. This year’s theme reflects on the awe-inspiring acts of kindness by Canadians across the country and the magic that happens when we work together to achieve a shared goal. While we are grateful every day, on this special week, an extra heartfelt thank you is extended to all our volunteers for their passion, dedication and determination in supporting and elevating the work of our organization. As a grassroots, volunteer-driven organization, our past, current and future accomplishments in fulfilling our promise of discovering cures and improving quality of life for everyone affected by these diseases are credited to our volunteers. No doubt, the past year was challenging and unpredictable for everyone; but, our volunteers rallied together to help us learn and adapt to a virtual world and ensure we were there for our community when they needed us most. In cities and towns across the country, our volunteers provided a bright light as they led local chapters to provide a supportive space where new friendships were formed. They took the lead on coordinating local Gutsy Walks and other special events to raise funds that fueled programs and enabled promising research projects. Our volunteers also helped create inclusive communities by supporting our advocacy initiatives and registering local businesses with our GoHere Washroom Access Program. We are grateful for IBD researchers and healthcare providers who donated their time and expertise to answer questions and encourage health and wellness through education events like our Gutsy Learning Series and the COVID-19 & IBD webinars. Thank you to our volunteer Board of Directors as they shared their wealth of knowledge to help guide our organization’s strategic goals and priorities. To all our volunteers – we are in awe of your kindness! Every contribution inspires us and we are much stronger because of you. Together, we are improving lives and getting closer to a future without Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.