Another year brings another reason for hope as we take time on Thursday, May 19 to reflect and learn about inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
This year, following our friends at the European Federation of Crohn's & Ulcerative Colitis Associations, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada looks to shed light on one of the many things not often recognized when it comes to IBD, and that is that inflammatory bowel disease has no age.
What does that mean? It means that regardless of how young you might be or as old as you are, IBD can impact your life at any time.
Of note, research has found that seniors (aged 65 and over) with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis are the fastest growing group of Canadians with IBD, while the prevalence of Crohn’s and colitis in Canadian children has risen more than 50% in the last 10 years.
HOW ARE WE RAISING AWARENESS THIS YEAR?
This year, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, with the support of cities across the country, will be painting the country purple! Our country’s most recognizable landmarks and buildings will be illuminated in purple in order to show reflection and awareness for the day.
CONFIRMED WORLD IBD DAY LOCATIONS FOR 2022:
British Columbia
- BC Legislature (Victoria)
- BC Place
- Canada Place (Sail of lights)
- Science World
- Vancouver City Hall and Burrard St. Bridge
- City of Coquitlam and Fountain at Lafarge Lake
Alberta
- Lethbridge City Hall
- Telus Spark
Saskatchewan
- RCMP Heritage Centre
- Regina City Hall
- Sasktel Centre
Manitoba
Ontario
- Niagara Falls
- CN Tower
- Toronto Sign
- Mississauga Clock Tower
- Hamilton City Hall
- Hamilton Sign
- Brant Street Pier
- Brock University
- Riverwalk Commons & Fred A. Lundy Bridge
- Sarnia City Hall
- City Hall Cambridge
- City of Barrie- Meridian Place Canopy
- Greater Sudbury- Big Nickel
- Town of Collingwood- Townhall Clock Tower
- District of Muskoka- Bracebridge Falls
- City of Thunder Bay- Current River dam
- Welland Bridge
- Windsor City Hall
Quebec
- Chateau Champlaine, La Grand roue de Montreal
- Olympic Stadium in Montreal
New Brunswick
- Downtown Place
- Fredericton City Hall
- Moncton City Hall
- Legislative Assembly Building
Nova Scotia
- The Big Fiddle in Sydney
- Halifax City Hall
- Nova Scotia Legislative building
- Province House
- City Hall for Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Newfoundland
- Cabot Tower, Signal Hill
- City Hall St. John’s
- City Hall Mount Pearl
Prince Edward Island
- Charlottetown City Hall
- Summerside City Hall
JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL VIDEO PREMIERE: “WHEN I WAS…WHEN I AM…”
Featuring people from our community across the country and beyond, this special video shines a light on how no matter your age, IBD can have an impact, while we all look towards our hopes and wishes for the future.
We’ll be posting sneak peeks on our social channels on @getgutsycanada, leading up to the big day, so stay tuned! You can watch the “When I was…When I am…” video at 12pm ET on Thursday, May 19 at gutsywalk.ca or on YouTube. You can join in on our YouTube channel for the live premiere and take part in our chat!
SHARING YOUR STORY
On the day itself, beyond joining in for our special video premiere, we invite you to share your story with us using #IBDIsAgeless and tagging us at @getgutsycanada for us to reshare. This is a great day to get to know our community, and for us all to share our experience and stories of life with Crohn’s or colitis.
CELEBRATE WITH OUR EAST COAST COMMUNITY
Not only will we have our special “When I was…When I am…” video premiere, but you can also connect with our community at an exciting virtual fundraising event…the Spirit of the East Coast in Music has returned! That’s right, and you’re invited to join us for this exclusive video celebration featuring some amazing talent from the East coast. For tickets and more information, visit the Spirit of the East Coast in Music website.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY AT GUTSY WALK
Another great action you can take to further awareness this World IBD Day is to sign up for your local Gutsy Walk! This year our Gutsy Walks are, for the most part, returning to be in-person events and we’d LOVE to see you there! Gutsy Walk is a fantastic way to get involved with the IBD community while we all work together to raise awareness—and funds—to grow support for all those living with Crohn’s or colitis and to further the research and resources our community needs. This year’s Gutsy Walk will take place on Sunday, June 5. Find a walk near you and sign up to get involved at gutsywalk.ca.
May 19th is a big day for our community and we want everyone to know it. The only way IBD ends, is with all of us working together.
Share that story, read that article, text that friend and together, let’s end Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis!