Journey from Victoria to Montreal raises funds and awareness for chronic diseases
MONTREAL, QC – August 15, 2018 – Vincent Nadon, a Montreal man who lives with Crohn’s disease, is back home after cycling over 6,000 km in 33 days. The ultra-cyclist embarked on the trek to raise awareness of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
“I decided to cross Canada by bike to symbolize perseverance in life despite illness,” says Nadon. “Every day I live with this disease, and sometimes it is really painful even though most people couldn’t see I had anything wrong with me.”
In 2015, Nadon was diagnosed with Crohn’s, an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack itself, leading to inflammation of the digestive tract. That inflammation leads to painful cramps, internal bleeding, fatigue, and frequent, urgent washroom trips, in some cases over 20 times a day.
“Crohn’s and colitis are debilitating diseases, but so often people don’t ‘look’ sick,” says Paul Clement, Regional Director, Quebec and Atlantic Provinces for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. “Vincent is a great example of this. He looks like an athlete, but he’s been through a lot because of Crohn’s, and he has to manage his disease with ongoing treatment.”
Nadon used his ride, which he dubbed “A-Crohn’s Canada”, to raise funds for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s research initiatives and patient programs. To date he’s raised over $7,600, and even though his ride is complete, he’s hoping to reach his goal of $10,000.
“I know that there are many people still struggling because of Crohn’s or colitis, so I want to make sure that we keep funding research, and give people hope by showing them so much is possible even if you have the disease,” says Nadon.
Donations to A-Crohn’s Canada can be made
here.
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.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Stefanie Rosenblatt
Development Coordinator, Montreal
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
514-342-0666 ext. 201
srosenblatt@crohnsandcolitis.ca