Toronto, March 27, 2025 – Submissions open today for 15 AbbVie IBD scholarships for postsecondary students living with Crohn’s or colitis who will each receive a $5,000 to lighten the financial burden of their education while they navigate life with a chronic illness.
Wynne Fitzpatrick, currently a first-year nursing baccalaureate student at the College of New Caledonia in British Columbia and a 2024 recipient, said:
“Having that national recognition and knowing I have so many people and peers supporting me, means so much. When I first got my diagnosis, I was really shy and anxious about it. I feel a lot of people don’t know what Crohn’s disease is, and as a result, they might diminish or question the symptoms, pain and treatments. That happened a lot in high school. It was really hard on my mental health with classmates not understanding why I’d miss school or homework.”
“Postsecondary studies are challenging for everyone, but if you add to that having to manage Crohn’s or colitis – the challenges are multiplied,” said Sylvain Chiasson, Interim President and CEO of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. “We’re proud of our partnership with AbbVie to help these determined, resilient students pursue their dreams and goals with scholarships that make their studies a little less difficult.”
Often, students living with Crohn’s or colitis are forced to miss out on extracurricular and social or entertainment activities, along with class time because of their disease. The goal of the AbbVie IBD Scholarships is to reduce some of their stress by lessening the financial challenges associated with their education.
About the scholarships:
- Details at ibdscholarship.ca
- Deadline for applications is June 9, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET
- Recipients are selected based on their passion for academics and contribution to the Crohn’s and colitis community
- Since 2012, $825,000 has been awarded to 154 students
Apply now!
View past recipients
Crohn’s and colitis in Canada
Crohn’s and colitis are lifelong diseases that cause inflammation of the digestive tract, often leading to debilitating symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue and an unpredictable and urgent need to use the washroom. These diseases can strike at any age but are usually diagnosed between the ages of 16-35. Every 48 minutes, another person in Canada is diagnosed. More than 322,000 people in Canada currently live with Crohn’s or colitis, estimated to grow to 470,000 by 2035.
About Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
We are on a relentless journey to cure Crohn’s and colitis and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by these diseases. Follow us at crohnsandcolitis.ca, @getgutsycanada on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and at Crohn’s and Colitis Canada on YouTube and LinkedIn.
About AbbVie Canada
AbbVie’s mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people’s lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women’s health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.ca. Follow AbbVie Canada on X, on Instagram, or find us on LinkedIn.