1st Gutsy Walk comes to Prince Albert

According to the Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, more than 233,000 people in Canada have Crohn’s and colitis. More than half of this number has Crohn’s disease and the rest have ulcerative colitis, it states.

Ulcerative colitis affects the large intestine where the inner wall becomes inflamed and causes mucous, bleeding, diarrhea, cramping and dehydration, Noble said.

“Crohn’s affects everything from the gum to the bum as we like to say. It’s a little more severe. It can cause sores in the mouth, the small intestines … gets inflamed, as well as the large [intestines],” he explained.

At this time there is no cure for Crohn’s and colitis, but in extreme cases surgery can help with colitis by “… removing part or parts of the colon. After such surgery, waste material may have to be stored and expelled through an external appliance (colostomy bag),” according to the Crohn’s and Colitis Canada website.

Noble said they are trying to raise awareness, so people know more about the disease and how to help others who have it.

One of those people who are affected is Noble. He said he has colitis.

When he was diagnosed in the summer of 2008, he said he knew little about the disease.

“I went from being very active and outgoing to very withdrawn and not very social. I quit all my sports teams I was involved in. You can’t really play sports when you’re going to the bathroom 30 times a day and with cramps,” he said. “I became very withdrawn and depressed after being diagnosed it was very difficult.”

Right now there is no Crohn’s and Colitis chapter in Prince Albert even though there are 235 people suffering from the diseases. This is why Noble is working on opening one within the year.

“Crohn’s and Colitis Canada helped me out a lot with information and support, as well as teaming up with other people that have it within my community. So being a volunteer through them because they are a great organization, they asked me to take part in the walk this year, so I chose to be the chair,” he said.

This is the 20th annual Gutsy Walk nationally. The first Prince Albert walk will take place at Kinsmen Park with registration at 10:30 a.m. and the walk kicking off at noon.

There will be a barbecue, giveaways, and a fun zone for kids, he said.

The goal is to raise $5,000 and currently they have raised around $1,600. Noble said they’ve had quite a few sponsors, which have been a great support.

In addition to the walk, there is a steak night taking place Saturday at the Prince Albert Brewing Co. to raise funds. Tickets are $25, which can be bought from Noble by calling 306-960-0345.

You can register at www.gutsywalk.ca.

To read more of Noble’s story, click here.

For more about the Prince Albert Gutsy Walk, click here.

sstone@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @sarahstone84

by Sarah Stone

1st Gutsy Walk comes to Prince Albert

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