By Sarah Wallace

Local to walk to support those with Crohn’s and Colitis

Apr 30, 2017 | 12:00 PM

A walk to help those suffering from Crohn’s and Colitis is just around the corner, as Prince Albert will be one of 60 communities across the country taking part in The Gutsy Walk on June 4. 

The walk is an annual fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Development coordinator for Saskatchewan, Carol-Lynn Quintin, said the agency is the second largest funding agent in the world for research dedicated to inflammatory bowel disease.

Quintin said the diseases are alterations in the digestive system. Ulcerative Colitis attacks the large intestines and can lead to ulcerations throughout the digestive system. She said Crohn’s disease is “cheek to cheek,” which she said means the ulcerations can happen anywhere from the mouth to the bum.

Quintin said Canada has one of the highest reported rates of Crohn’s and Colitis in the world.

“Families new to Canada are developing Crohn’s and Colitis often within the first generation, even if it wasn’t common where they’re from so there’s something about where we’re at that’s leading to this incident rate increase,” she said.

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The incidents rate for Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis in children under 10 years of age in Canada has almost doubled since 1995. She said about one in 150 Canadian’s live with Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis and in Saskatchewan, 8,000 people have some form of inflammatory bowel disease.

The goal of the Gutsy Walk is to raise money for research into treatment and what causes the disease with the hope of finding a cure.

“Treatment can be easy for some people and very, very difficult for other people. It can be a very challenging disease to manage,” Quintin said.

When asked if people are prone to the disease or if it shows up randomly, Quintin said researchers are looking into links between previous infections with certain organisms, genetic or environmental links. She said as of right now, the agency doesn’t have a definitive answer to that question.

Quintin said people with the disease often feel very isolated because they may have trouble leaving the house or may not want to tell people they have the disease. Hosting events like the Gutsy Walk helps bring the disease out in the open so people aren’t embarrassed and can get out and about.

“Coming to an event where you know other people are living with the same disease as you can be empowering,” Quintin said.

The 2016 Gutsy Walk in Prince Albert was cancelled due to a lack of volunteers but in 2015 the walk was able to raise $12,000. The goal this year is to raise $5,000. Quintin said nationally the agency would like to raise $3.5 million.

The five kilometre Prince Albert Gutsy Walk will take place at the Elks Lodge. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. with the walk to follow at noon.

Anyone can register for the walk and can do so online or by registering on the day of the walk. Organizers are also looking for more volunteers and welcome any business sponsors.

swallace@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahthesquid