The Gutsy Walk to stop Crohn's and Colitis

The Gutsy Walk to stop Crohn's and Colitis (CNW Group/Crohn's and Colitis Canada)

Families, friends, and neighbours rally to support those impacted by Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis

TORONTO, May 29, 2017 /CNW/ - On Sunday, June 4, over 20,000 Canadians will unite in communities across Canada to send one message – we've got the guts to stop the pain, multiple surgeries, and missed moments caused by Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

Over 250,000 Canadians live with Crohn's or colitis. They're in your schools, your stores, and your community, but you may not know it. They look normal on the outside, but they're dealing with abdominal pain, exhaustion, internal bleeding, anxiety, and frequent and urgent washroom trips. You can help bring these often invisible and rarely discussed diseases out into the open by covering this year's Gutsy Walk.

Over 60 Gutsy Walk events will take place across the country, with the aim of collectively raising $3.6 million to support research, patient programs, advocacy, and awareness efforts to better the lives of everyone impacted by these chronic diseases.

WHAT:	The Gutsy Walk to stop Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
WHERE:	Find your closest Gutsy Walk here
WHEN:	Sunday, June 4, 2017. Check locations listing for registration and start times
WHO:	Local Honorary Gutsy Walk Chair and/or other local dignitaries – contact your walk's local organizers prior to Sunday, June 4 to be put in touch with notable interviewees
VISUALS:	Speeches and warm up exercises
	Shots of families and kids participating in a fun and inspiring event
	Start and Finish line
	Local community spokespeople living with Crohn's and colitis and their families
	Local business sponsors and supporters

• Canada has some of the highest rates of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in the world.
• Crohn's disease has doubled in Canadian children under 10 since 1995.
• Crohn's and colitis are chronic diseases that cause severe pain, may necessitate multiple surgeries, and negatively impact school, careers, and families. Honorary chairs and event participants can provide personal insights to media.
• The annual economic impact of these diseases in Canada is more than $2.8 billion dollars.
• The Gutsy Walk helps fund groundbreaking research like the GEM (Genetic, Environmental, Microbial) Project, which aims to uncover the causes of Crohn's disease, and as well as local support and education programs.

For more information about Crohn's and Colitis Canada or the Gutsy Walk visit us online at crohnsandcolitiscanada.ca or gutsywalk.ca.

SOURCE Crohn's and Colitis Canada

To coordinate interviews and event coverage, please contact: Rasheed Clarke, Coordinator, Marketing & Communications, [email protected], 416-920-5035, ext. 215; CK DesGrosseilliers, Manager, Marketing & Communications, [email protected], cell: 647-378-8203