21st Annual Gutsy Walk – June 5th Regina 2016 – Rick Hansen Park

Gutsy Walk 2016

21st Annual Gutsy Walk to raise funds for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, June 5th 2016 Location:  Regina – Rick Hansen Park

Abdominal cramping, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, fever, anemia, bleeding, and fatigue are some of the debilitating symptoms experienced by people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

On Sunday, June 5th, 2016, Regina residents will join Canadians from coast to coast in an effort to find a cure for these inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Every dollar raised through the 21st Annual Gutsy Walk will go towards Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s Make it Stop. For Life national campaign. The goal of the campaign is to raise $100 million for research, education, advocacy and patient support so that children and adults with IBD can live with less pain, less shame, and fewer hospital visits and surgeries.

Gutsy Walk events will be held in six Saskatchewan communities, including Regina. The Regina Gutsy Walk will start at 12:00 p.m. at Rick Hansen Park (registration begins at 10 a.m. with warm up at 11:45 a.m.) for a 5 km walk.  The family-friendly event will include a BBQ and children’s entertainment. Registration is free.

Regina’s Honorary Chair this year is Dylan, age 15. “My journey with this disease started when I was 9 years old, with a diagnosis of colitis. Over the years my health got progressively worse and I was sent out to the Alberta Children’s Hospital. In 2014, I was not doing well and I could not hold down any food. I was in extreme pain and each day was a struggle for me to get out of bed. Several trips to Calgary that year showed that I have narrowings in my intestines and it didn’t stop. By the end of 2014, a feeding tube was inserted into my nose and I felt like I had lost control of the disease.

December 18 2014 in Calgary, they removed 28cm of my small intestine, the bottom section of my colon, my illeocecal valve and my appendix. It was over a year ago that I got my surgery and I can now participate in my life again! Don’t get me wrong I still have to sit on an IV every 7 weeks and try to remember to take all my other pills but I’m doing ok. On June 5th I invite you to come out with me and support people living with this disease!”

For more information about Gutsy Walk, or to register, visit www.gutsywalk.ca.