Gutsy Walk is coming back to Gull Lake Rotary Park in Gravenhurst this weekend, raising awareness for Crohn’s and colitis while also fundraising for crucial research.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the two most common types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and while there are a range of treatment options, there is no cure. They cause the body to attack itself, inflaming the lining of the gastrointestinal tract and disrupting the body’s ability to properly digest food and absorb nutrients. Crohn’s and Colitis Canada has hosted their annual walk in Muskoka since 2014, and after two years of virtual events, they’re excited to be back in person on Sunday, June 5. Registration begins at 9 a.m. followed by the opening ceremonies at 9:45 and the start of the walk at 10.
“We’re super excited to come together as a community so people know that they’re not alone in their journey,” said Nicole Sage, coordinator of development and community engagement for Muskoka and the surrounding areas. “It’s great to be able to do all the fundraising that we do, but to have the community come together and have that in-person ability is really great.”
Sage is passionate about Crohn’s and Colitis Canada because of her personal connection to the cause. Multiple members of her family live with Crohn’s and colitis, so she’s familiar with the conditions from a caregiving perspective. She said it’s important for the loved ones of people with IBD to be educated about and aware of what it’s like to live with these conditions so that they can provide the best support possible.
Crohn’s and colitis can affect every aspect of life, which is what makes Gutsy Walk so important. Some people spend months in the hospital trying to get a diagnosis and when they finally determine what’s going on, it can take a long time to figure out the right treatment plan. It’s often a complicated and lengthy process, Sage said, and it’s one that’s complicated further for people living in rural areas.
“You never know who might be affected,” she said. “More than 300,000 Canadians are living with inflammatory bowel disease and usually people know somebody that has a diagnosis and so if you can learn a little bit more about it, then you can help that person feel a little bit more comfortable.”
On top of providing community support to people with IBD, Gutsy Walk is Canada’s biggest fundraising event in support of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Participants across the country raised more than $2.3 million last year, which allowed Crohn’s and Colitis Canada to invest in eight new research projects. This year, the organization is looking to raise $2.9 million nationwide with a goal of $23,390 in Muskoka.
“Every dollar raised through the Gutsy Walk really helps Crohn’s and Colitis Canada in our efforts to raise awareness of the diseases, providing support for patients and their families, advocating to governments and stakeholders on behalf of those affected by Crohn’s and colitis, and fueling the research that’s going to lead to more effective treatments and ultimately, the cures,” Sage said.
She encourages locals to register and get involved because Gutsy Walk is a great chance to learn more while enjoying live music, coffee, snacks and prizes. There’s a stigma associated with talking about digestive conditions and the issues that come along with them, so the event allows locals to walk alongside their fellow community members living with IBD both literally and figuratively.
“There’s people that are living with these conditions and sometimes they feel alone,” Sage said. “If we can talk about it more, we can raise awareness, we can hopefully try to reduce the stigma, and people will feel more comfortable and realize that they’re not alone.”
To register for Gutsy Walk, visit the event website. Anyone with questions can reach out to Nicole Sage and her team at gutsywalk_ON_North@crohnsandcolitis.ca or at 1-800-387-1479 ext. 274. Watch the video below from World IBD Day to learn more.
