By Christopher Clark – Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to a group of lifelong conditions that cause chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and in some cases indeterminate colitis. These diseases inflame the lining of the digestive system and can disrupt digestion, nutrient absorption, and healthy waste elimination. People with IBD move between periods of active symptoms, known as flares, and stretches of remission when symptoms ease.
There is no cure, and living with Crohn’s or colitis often means managing unpredictable pain, fatigue, medication changes, ongoing medical appointments, and the emotional weight of an illness that is largely invisible to others. In Canada alone, more than 320,000 people are living with Crohn’s or colitis, and thousands more are diagnosed every year. Yet for many of us, myself included at one time, IBD is something we do not truly understand until it touches our lives directly.
As an Espanola resident working in Sudbury, my understanding began in the fall of 2019, when I met Kaylie Voutier.
At the time, I knew nothing about Crohn’s or colitis. I did not know how deeply it could affect someone’s day‑to‑day life. I did not know how carefully plans sometimes have to be made, or cancelled. I did not know how strong someone has to be just to make it through an ordinary day.
As Kaylie and I got to know each other and later began dating, my eyes were opened. I witnessed the highs and the lows. I saw the physical exhaustion that cannot be fixed with rest, the stress that comes with waiting rooms and test results, and the quiet bravery it takes to live with a body that can feel unpredictable and unfair.
But I also saw something powerful.
I saw resilience. I saw humour in hard moments. And I saw a community, one built on empathy, understanding, and unwavering support. A community of people who know what it is like to live with Crohn’s or colitis and who show up for one another when it matters most.
That community is the heart of the Gutsy Walk.
The Gutsy Walk is Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s largest annual fundraising event, bringing people together across the country to raise awareness, fund research, and support those living with IBD. This year is especially meaningful, as the walk marks its 30th anniversary and celebrates three decades of Canadians standing together in support of this community, step-by-step.
The Sudbury Gutsy Walk will take place on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Delki Dozzi Park, 3 Mary Street. More information about the Sudbury chapter, including walk details, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support the local Crohn’s and colitis community, can be found at crohnsandcolitis.ca/location/ontario/Sudbury.
For residents of Espanola and Manitoulin Island, this is the closest walk location and an important opportunity to take part close to home. It is more than just a walk. It is a gathering of people who understand, who care, and who are committed to making life better for others.
The Sudbury chapter continues to be a strong source of connection and support for Northern Ontario, and each year the walk reminds people living with IBD that they are not alone, no matter how isolating the disease can sometimes feel.
Local businesses and community members are encouraged to get involved by making a donation, becoming a sponsor, or forming a team to walk together. Every contribution helps fund essential research, education, advocacy, and patient programs that make a real difference in the lives of Canadians living with Crohn’s and colitis.
The Gutsy Walk is not the only way the local community comes together.
Each fall, Sudbury also hosts one of its most creative and heartfelt fundraising events, the Gutsy Runway Toilet Paper Fashion Show. This unique event turns an everyday item into something extraordinary, as local designers, teams, and volunteers create stunning outfits made entirely from toilet paper.
The Toilet Paper Fashion Show is held on Friday, November 6, at The Vale Cavern at Science North, 100 Ramsey Lake Road, with the show beginning at 7 p.m. It is a night filled with creativity, laughter, and connection, all in support of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.
Through Kaylie, I have learned that Crohn’s and colitis do not just affect individuals. They affect families, partners, friends, and entire communities. I have also learned that awareness starts with listening, and change begins when people choose to show up.
The Gutsy Walk and the Toilet Paper Fashion Show are both reminders of what can happen when a community comes together with compassion and purpose.
As the Gutsy Walk celebrates 30 years, my hope is that more people from our region will take part, whether by walking in Sudbury, supporting a team, attending an event, or simply learning more. Because every step taken and every act of support sends the same message to those living with Crohn’s and colitis.
Sometimes, it only takes knowing one person to change the way you see the world. For me, that person was Kaylie. Through her, I have come to understand just how powerful community and compassion can be.
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