A charity to be held this weekend in Langley is all about guts. Literally.
The Gutsy Walk is the 22nd annual walk for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, set for Sunday, June 4 at Campbell Valley Regional Park.
About one in 150 Canadians are living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Both diseases attack the digestive system, and can cause a range of symptoms ranging from pain and discomfort to hospitalization, surgery, and increased risk of cancer.
The event starts with registration from 8:30 a.m., followed by a warmup for walkers at 10:15 a.m., and the actual walk at 10:30 a.m. There are 1.5 and four kilometre routes, and leashed dogs are welcome to the park.
Walkers who raised $100 or more will receive a Gutsy Walk T-shirt, and those topping $1,000 will join the Top Earners Club.
This year’s honourary chairs of the walk are Tanya Usher and her daughter Madeline.
Tanya was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2009 after four years of medical professionals trying to determine what her condition was. Her flare-ups still complicate her life, she said. Madeline was diagnosed at 17 months with Crohn’s and colitis, and is one of the youngest cases ever diagnosed.
“After learning about Madeline’s diagnosis, we realized it was important we learn everything about the disease, our treatment choices and help to raise funds for research and to find a cure,” Tanya said of her reasons for taking part in the Gutsy Walk last year and this year.
Registration for the walk can be done online at http://www.gutsywalk.ca/Locations.aspx.
The walk begins at the 204th Street and 8th Avenue Old Orchard Picnic Area.
