Young and brave with IBD
November is Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month, and we’re highlighting the unique challenges, and the incredible courage, of children and youths who are young and brave with IBD (inflammatory bowel disease).
Imagine being 6 years old and missing your birthday party because of a hospital stay. Or being 12 and afraid to go to school because of being made fun of for going to the bathroom so often. For thousands of children in Canada, Crohn’s and colitis interrupts the most precious moments of growing up—but every day, they show us what it means to be young and brave with IBD. Help us support those who are young and brave with IBD and give kids their childhood back. Donations of $100 or more will receive a Gutsy bear pin.
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Being a parent or caregiver to a child with Crohn’s or colitis can be hard. To help you navigate your child’s journey, we’ve created some resources and tools:
Living with Crohn’s or colitis as a kid or teen can be tough, but you're not alone—you’re part of a community of other children and teens who are young and brave with IBD. Check out some ways you can get involved with the Crohn's and colitis community and learn more about life with IBD:
You can help improve the school experience for kids living with IBD. Educate yourself about Crohn's and colitis to be better able to accomodate the kids in your classroom who may be living with IBD, and learn how you can raise awareness with consideration:
Crohn's and colitis are chronic conditions that cause inflammation in the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, interfering with the body's ability to properly digest food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste.
These autoimmune diseases typically involve periods of active symptoms, known as flares, followed by times of little or no symptoms, referred to as remission.
People living with Crohn’s or colitis may endure a myriad of symptoms, including severe abdominal pain, frequent and urgent bowel movements, internal bleeding, fatigue, and unintended weight loss, leading to one or more surgeries and daily challenges.
Explore the IBD Journey
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada offers support and resources for people living with IBD and their family, friends and caregivers. We’re here to help. Discover our patient programs like Crohn's and Colitis Connect, Gutsy Learning Series, IBD Scholarships, GoHere®, MyGut™, the Service Finder, and more!
Support for you
You have the power to make a difference in the lives of those affected by Crohn’s or colitis this November Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month, and beyond! You can help raise awareness on social media by tagging us @getgutsycanada when you share the campaign or your own story or being young and brave with IBD! Help us spark conversations about the challenges of being young with Crohn’s or colitis.
You can also donate to help fund vital research and patient programs that provide hope for the future and support for today. And if you donate $100 or more during the month of November, you'll receive your very own Gutsy bear pin as a token of our gratitude. Wear it with pride and use it as a conversation starter to raise awareness and educate others about the unique challenges faced by kids and youths living with Crohn's or colitis. Please note that pins will be shipped out the week of December 8.