Why we walk: Taking steps to find a cure for Crohn's disease and colitis

It is likely someone you know suffers from Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, debilitating digestive diseases also known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). These diseases affect 1.6 million Americans, including 80,000 children.

One such child is Josh Berendt, 11, of Palatine, who was diagnosed at age 9 with indeterminate colitis.

Josh will be recognized as the Honored Hero on Sunday, May 31, when the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America holds a Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis walk in Naperville. Take Steps is CCFA's largest fundraising event, having touched more than 240,000 people and raised nearly $60 million to help further the foundation's mission.

"The Honored Hero is someone we recognize at each walk as someone who has the disease but also a participant of the walk," said Heidi Merritt, walk director for CCFA.

Another participant in this year's walk is Adina Walters of Cary. Walters struggled with pain for years before an insightful doctor diagnosed her with Crohn's disease.

Adina and Josh share their stories win the hopes of raising awareness about IBD and inspiring readers to participate in the Take Steps walks or donate to CCFA.

About Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

• There are nearly 1 in 200 Americans living with IBD.

• 70,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.

• 150,000 (about 10 percent) of people with IBD are children younger than 18.

• Most people develop the diseases between ages 15 and 35.

• Children younger than 18 are the fastest-growing patient population and are often the most severely impacted by the diseases.

• 163 genes associated with IBD have been discovered, but their functions are still unknown.

• Symptoms may include abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever, weight loss and fatigue.

• Many patients have complications affecting other body parts - anemia from blood loss, inflammation of the eyes, joint pain, and more.

• The average patient is misdiagnosed twice.

• The number of Crohn's and colitis cases has increased 20 times since World War II.

• Approximately 20 percent of patients have another family member with Crohn's or colitis.

Source: Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America

Crohn's, colitis and IBD: How you can help

Walk: Participate in Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis, noncompetitive 2- to 3-mile fundraiser walks. Upcoming events include:

• Naperville: 5 p.m. Sunday, May 31, at the Naperville Riverwalk

• Chicago: 9 a.m. Saturday, May 30, at Montrose Harbor, Grove 16

• Glenview: 5 p.m. Sunday, June 28, at The Glen, Gallery Park

For details on Take Steps, visit CCFA's <a href="http://http://online.ccfa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TS_homepage">website</a> or call (773) 616-6381.

Donate: Make a donation <a href="https://secure3.convio.net/ccfa/site/Donation2?17861.donation=form1&df_id=17861">online</a> to help fund research for a cure.

Learn: Find out more at <a href="http://www.ccfa.org">ccfa.org</a>.