Nearly $30,000 has been raised during previous Gutsy Walks in Nanaimo. (Crohn's and Colitis Canada's Facebook Page)

By Jordan Davidson

crohn's and colitis

‘From your gums to your bum:’ Gutsy Walk 2023 returns to Nanaimo

Jun 4, 2023 | 5:30 AM

NANAIMO — The 13th annual Nanaimo Gutsy Walk to raise awareness and funds for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis is back on Sunday, June 4 at Maffeo Sutton Park.

Roughly 300,000 Canadians are living with the disease which inflames the lining of the gastrointestinal system and prevents the body from absorbing nutrients.

Nanaimo chapter president of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada Alliya Lawrence said everyone knows someone who is living with some form of inflammatory bowel disease.

“Whether you know it or not, somebody that is in your close circle is affected by these diseases, whether it’s talked about or not. Someone is still diagnosed every hour in Canada, so it’s important to keep raising these funds so hopefully we can find a cure.”

Since the Gutsy Walk started in 1996, they have raised over $50 million towards advocacy and research nationally.

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Lawrence said while treatments such as steroids, surgery, and medication do exist, there is no cure.

“It can affect anywhere from your gums to your bum for Crohn’s disease. Colitis is more localized to the colon. These patients experience incredible pain, internal bleeding, several medications, multiple surgeries, and a lesser quality of life.”

Registration for the walk is at 9:30 a.m. at Maffeo Sutton Park, with entertainment starting around 10:30 a.m., which includes a warm-up session from two personal trainers, and a performance by Funkanometry.

The walk behind around 10:45 a.m. with refreshments to follow.

For more information or to donate you can go gutsywalk.ca. Donations will be accepted until June 30, with $10,500 this year’s fundraising goal for the Nanaimo chapter.

There is also a Crohn’s and colitis support group in Nanaimo, which will start holding meeting again on Sept 15. More details can be found here on their Facebook page.

In 2019, the Nanaimo branch won a top national award for its fundraising efforts.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow