More than 400 participants in Halton are expected to once again show they have the guts to make Crohn’s and colitis stop by taking part in the 20th annual Gutsy Walk fundraiser.
The event is the largest, single-day fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, a national, volunteer-based charity focused on finding the cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and improving the lives of children and adults affected by these diseases.
“What began in 1994 with just a handful of locations has grown into a national event with 60 Gutsy Walk sites in communities across Canada,” Har Grover, chair of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, said in a media release.
“One in every 150 Canadians live with Crohn’s and colitis; a rate that ranks in the highest worldwide. The fastest growing demographic in the world is Canadian children under 10, for whom rates have almost doubled in the last 20 years.
“The Gutsy Walk is an opportunity for us to show we’ve got the guts to make Crohn’s and colitis stop — for life.”
According to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, there are approximately 250,000 Canadians living with the diseases.
The Halton chapter of the organization works throughout the year to educate the community about Crohn’s and colitis, raising funds for research and programs.
This year’s fundraising walk for Halton will take place on June 7 at Oakville’s Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park, 2340 Ontario St., with registration opening at 10 a.m.
Organizers say they hope to raise $3 million to advance the research into treatments and cures, as well as support patient programs, advocacy and awareness.
Having started as the Heel’N’Wheel-a-thon in 1996, the Gutsy Walk has raised a total of $29 million from the community events across Canada.
Dana Silvestri is this year’s local Gutsy Walk honorary chair.
The 22-year-old was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 18, which forced her to take a leave of absence from school.
But after a year of medication, alternative and natural therapies, Silvestri is in remission and is continuing her university studies.
For more information or to register for the Halton walk, visit www.gutsywalk.ca, call 1-800-387-1479 or 519-802-2156, or email gustywalk_On_SouthWest@crohnsandcolitis.ca.
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Detail Link :
http://www.insidehalton.com/community-story/5568875-halton-gutsy-walk-for-crohn-s-and-colitis-canada-in-oakville-june-7/