The toll IBD takes is significant, as these conditions commonly cause diarrhea, pain, and bleeding in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, along with general symptoms like fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite. People with IBD are also at a greater risk of developing other chronic health conditions such as cancer, kidney disease, and heart disease. It’s essential for people to recognize the signs of IBD and seek treatment, which can put the disease into remission — reducing the daily disease burden while helping prevent potentially dangerous complications. For both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, being in remission during a given year reduces the chances of having a relapse (flare-up) of the disease the next year, according to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Awareness of IBD is more important than ever. As more people develop these diseases, the need for research and advances in treatment grows — both of which require fundraising and advocacy. So it’s no surprise that in the past decade, organized efforts to draw attention to IBD have arisen across the country. Here’s an overview of activities in December and beyond for IBD awareness and support, and how you can get involved online or in your community. Keep in mind that some events are offered in hybrid or remote formats because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Week, December 1 to 7 Organized by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Week has taken place annually since 2011 from December 1 to December 7. It’s the biggest organized push for IBD visibility and education in the United States. This week kicks off a variety of events across the country geared toward IBD awareness and fundraising, many of which are organized by local or regional branches of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. It also features a social media campaign that encourages people with IBD to tell their stories in various ways. For more information on social media campaigns and how to participate in them, scroll ahead to “How to Spread Awareness About IBD on Social Media.” World IBD Day, May 19 World IBD Day features events in more than 50 countries on five continents to highlight the challenges that IBD presents and the steps governments and healthcare systems can take to address them. This global day of awareness is organized by the European Federation of Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis Associations and supported by leading IBD advocacy organizations in participating countries. The purple ribbon has been adopted by many participating organizations as the symbol of awareness and support for the estimated 5 million people worldwide living with IBD. Many events and campaigns feature this symbol or the color purple. This December and in 2022, athletic events for IBD in the United States include these options: Spin4 Crohn’s & Colitis Cures, December 4 These events feature teams of up to four people riding on stationary bikes for an hour, with team members meeting their minimum fundraising commitment (starting at $250). Eighty cents on every dollar raised goes toward Crohn’s research, education, and patient support resources. In-person and socially distanced events will be available throughout the fall in select cities. A nationwide virtual “house party” will be hosted on December 4 (12 p.m. EST/9 a.m. PST), during which people have the option to sweat it out with two different workouts. The first one involves your own stationary bike, and the second is a cardio workout with no equipment required. A Touch of Football, December 11 This event at Ford Field in Detroit involves an entire day of fun for people of all skill levels. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, you can assemble a team of 15 to play in the flag football tournament or join as a spectator cheering for your favorite team from the stands. Event registration and information on volunteer opportunities is available online. The fundraising goal is $125,000, with funds going toward researching a cure for IBD. New York City/New Jersey Spin4 Crohn’s & Colitis Cures, December 12 The New York City and New Jersey chapters are teaming up to host a two-hour stationary cycling event for IBD research. The registration fee is $10 per person, and you can ride solo or rotate in a team of up to four people. The event is taking place at 110 West 19th Street in New York City. You can check in as early as 10:30 a.m. EST with VIP registration. Take Steps for Crohn’s & Colitis, Spring 2022 Take Steps is the largest community fundraising event for IBD research in the United States, but it doesn’t happen in December. Instead, local events typically take place in the spring, when the weather is more likely to encourage participation. To date, more than 430,000 people have raised over $107 million in Take Steps events. Because of the ongoing pandemic, Take Steps is offering a nationwide virtual walk for a safe and fun way to raise funds toward finding a cure for IBD. You can find a local Take Steps event near you and the date for the virtual event at the Take Steps webpage. Take Steps is a family-friendly event with no entry fee or minimum fundraising requirement, but participants are encouraged to raise at least $100, which earns them the designation of Pacesetter, along with a Take Steps T-shirt. Other gifts are available when you raise more than $350. Golf for a Cure, February 22, 2022 After a yearlong hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the South Florida chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is resuming its annual golf tournament. The tournament starts February 22, 2022, at 8 a.m. EST, and more information will be available on the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation site. Southern Ohio Take Steps for Crohn’s & Colitis, June 25, 2022 Bring the whole family to this 2.1 mile walk to support IBD research. The event is taking place at Dublin Coffman Park on June 25, 2022, with check-in starting at 11 a.m. EST.
MyIBD Learning Live and On-Demand Webinars
Throughout 2021, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is hosting a series of MyIBD Learning education events, some in person, some live or on demand. These events are for patients and caregivers of all ages and stages of life. Southwest Regional Patient and Caregiver Conference, December 1 Offered in a virtual format from 5 to 6:15 p.m., the event will have live virtual sessions with expert speakers, who will talk about the latest discoveries and treatments for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The conference will also include a live virtual Q & A discussion. Attendees will have on-demand access to the conference. Preregistration starts at $5, but scholarships are available to cover the cost. Southeast Regional Patient and Caregiver Conference, Orlando, Florida, December 4 This in-person event will offer live sessions with expert speakers, who will talk about the latest discoveries and treatments for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Topics will also include COVID-19 vaccinations and IBD, dietary and nutritional needs, and transitioning from child to adult care. The event will take place at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST. Attendees will also have access to recorded and on-demand sessions. Registration starts at $10 for the in-person and on-demand program. What It Means to Feel Well with IBD, December 16 This event is part of a new monthly patient and caregiver webinar series featuring the latest information on IBD research, treatments, diet, mental health, and more. Each webinar features IBD experts, with a Q& A at the end of every session. The webinars are presented the third Thursday of every month at 8:00 p.m. EST. Virtual Patient Education Series, December 7 In collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is hosting this virtual live event on the latest research updates in IBD. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions to expert faculty from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Registration is free, but RSVP is required. The live program begins on December 7 at 7 p.m. EST.
Advances in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, December 9 to 11
For the 20th conference, researchers, medical professionals, and other members of the IBD field are reuniting for a three-day in-person event. Learn about real-world clinical education, comprehensive case studies, and new evidence-based approaches in IBD management. Leading experts are available to provide new tools and discuss treatment strategies for patients with IBD.
Crohn’s & Colitis Congress, January 20 to 22, 2022
The Crohn’s & Colitis Congress brings together healthcare professionals and researchers to learn about potential IBD treatment and research updates. The live conference will also be available on demand. The in-person session is taking place at the Bellagio in Las Vegas from January 20 through 22, 2022. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for people attending in person.
Digestive Disease Week, May 21 to 24, 2022
This in-person and virtual conference brings together doctors, researchers, and companies in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy, and gastrointestinal surgery. The conference includes research on Crohn’s disease and IBD, as well as networking opportunities with leading experts in the field. It will take place May 21 through 24, 2022, in San Diego. Registration for both the in-person and virtual formats starts in January 2022. Create your own infographic. Use this tool from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation to tell the story of your IBD journey in numbers and pictures. You can then share this infographic on social media platforms. Add a sticker to social media posts. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation has Giphy stickers available for your social media posts. You can search for them under the terms “Crohn’s,” “colitis,” or “IBD” on Facebook Messenger, Instagram Stories, Snapchat, and other platforms. Use hashtags. The Crohn’s & Coltiis Foundation has endorsed the hashtags #IBDvisible and #CCAwarenessWeek to promote IBD awareness in December. Be sure to use them when posting about IBD generally or telling the story of your personal journey.
Stories and Support for Living With IBD
There’s a wide variety of helpful online resources for people with IBD, including personal blogs, forums, and story-sharing platforms. In addition, there may be a local support group near you, serving as a source of both practical tips and emotional assistance as you adapt to living with IBD. Crohn’s & Colitis Community This online hub from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation features a few sections. You can read personal accounts from people with IBD from all walks of life, or share your own story in the Our Stories area. Take part in discussion forums on topics ranging from diet to surgery to emotional health in the Community Forum. Participate in scheduled live chats in the Online Support Programs. Or search for questions on countless topics that are answered by health professionals on the Expert Q & A page. Lights Camera Crohn’s This blog is written by Natalie Hayden, a former TV news anchor in St. Louis who has lived with Crohn’s disease for over 16 years. Aiming to show that living with the disease “doesn’t have to dull your sparkle,” Hayden gives tips on navigating everything from family gatherings to pregnancy to discussing drug treatments with your doctor. Own Your Crohn’s Written by Tina Aswani Omprakash, a New York City–area resident who has been living with Crohn’s disease for over 15 years and has a permanent ileostomy, this blog chronicles the ups and downs of living with Crohn’s along with a number of other chronic health conditions. In addition to covering practical matters like what to expect in IBD surgery, Omprakash discusses the social and psychological toll of chronic illness and also profiles other people living with Crohn’s. Fierce and Flared This blog is written by Brooke Bogdan, a public relations and media professional from Cleveland who has lived with ulcerative colitis since 2012. Bogdan discusses her health journey from diagnosis to debilitating illness, and the relief that came with getting an ostomy and finally a J-pouch. Topics range from dealing with flares to fashion choices when you’re wearing an ostomy bag. Ostomy Diaries This website serves as a home base for Amber Wallace Ogle and links to her YouTube channel. Ogle has lived with Crohn’s disease since 2008 and had a complete colectomy with ostomy in 2016. Her videos cover topics such as sleeping with an ostomy bag, what to eat when you have an ostomy, and battling fatigue. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation: Find a Support Group Locate an in-person support group near you, with more than 250 groups listed throughout the country. You can search based on where you are, or zoom in on a map of the United States that shows the meeting location of each group. Additional reporting by Jocelyn Solis-Moreira.
