Cross country fundraiser making a difference
through research and programs
TORONTO, June 4, 2024
/CNW/ - On Sunday, June 2, more
than four thousand Canadians participated at 50 locations across
Canada as part of Gutsy Walk.
This year's fundraiser raised $2.2
million to date for Crohn's and Colitis Canada to invest in
finding cures and improving the lives of those affected by Crohn's
disease and ulcerative colitis. Since 1996, Gutsy Walks have raised
close to $55 million.
Gutsy Walk
Nancy Nagy was diagnosed with
Crohn's disease in 1981. She attended her first Gutsy Walk in 1997
in Regina, which she helped
organize. She currently lives in Winnipeg, where she continues to volunteer and
participate in Gutsy Walk. She describes what it means for her:
"It's more than a fundraiser, it's a great family event, a day that
these diseases bring us together to have some fun. And fun, colitis
and Crohn's aren't usually used in the same sentence. When you have
them, you can spend a lot of time on your own and can miss out. It
feels so good when you're able to go out and be part of something
like this with others."
"Gutsy Walk is certainly our biggest fundraiser, while also
being a powerful way to demonstrate our community's strength and
resilience," Lori Radke, President
and CEO of Crohn's and Colitis Canada, shared. "As we mark the
50th anniversary of Crohn's and Colitis Canada in 2024,
we celebrate the incredible progress we've made, but also reaffirm
our commitment to create even more impact."
Incredible fundraisers
Many teams and individuals raised remarkable amounts of
funds:
- Team Sinai Family and Friends is the top fundraising team for
the Gutsy Walk this year, raising $69,000.
- Sheldon Miller, Montreal, raised $35,000 this year – and more than $500,000 in the 20 years he has participated
- Shirely Mohamed, Toronto, brought in $26,000
About Crohn's and
colitis
Crohn's and colitis cause the body to attack itself, inflaming
the lining of the gastrointestinal tract and disrupting the body's
ability to digest food, absorb nutrition and eliminate waste in a
healthy manner. They are lifelong diseases, often called invisible,
as many people living with them look 'normal' while facing
excruciating pain, exhaustion and other conditions. Every 48
minutes, another person is diagnosed in Canada with these diseases. More than 322,000
people in Canada live with Crohn's
or colitis.
Donations to the Gutsy Walk will continue to be accepted until
June 30, 2024, at gutsywalk.ca.
For more information, visit gutsywalk.ca, and our Instagram and
Facebook pages.
ABOUT CROHN'S AND COLITIS
CANADA
Celebrating 50 years in 2024, Crohn's and Colitis Canada is on a
relentless journey to transform the lives of people affected by
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis by finding the cures for
these lifelong diseases and improving the quality of life of
everyone affected.
For information on Crohn's and Colitis Canada,
visit crohnsandcolitis.ca.
SOURCE Crohn's and Colitis Canada