The annual Gutsy Walk fundraising event is coming to Burnaby this summer, and a local teen is hoping to see some new faces in the crowd.
Kevan Kaas, 14, was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2009, but thanks to medical research he has been able to keep flare-ups of the debilitating bowel disease under control.
Every year Kevan participates with his family, and he has a goal to once again raise $1,000 to help find a cure.
This year's Gutsy Walk will be held June 10 at Confederation Park. That day, thousands of participants in about 80 cities across Canada will bike, walk or run a five-kilometre race and then enjoy a barbecue lunch.
"It's a fun event where participation is a good activity, and it helps with finding a cure for the disease," said Kevan's dad, Erik Kaas. "It's local to Burnaby, so Burnaby families can come out on a Sunday morning to do the walk, learn a bit about the disease and have some fun."
Over the past 16 years, the Gutsy Walk (formerly known as the Heel 'n' WheelaThon) has grown from raising $280,000 to raising $2 million per year. This year's goal is $3.3 million.
One in 160 Canadians is living with some kind of inflammatory bowel disease and Canada has one of the highest rates for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in the world, according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada.
Participants are encouraged to register a team on the website, www.gutsywalk. ca.
Donations can also be made online to support Kevan's fundraising goal.
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