Walkers ‘Take Steps’ to find a cure for Crohn’s and Colitis – WKTV

Utica, N.Y. - Walkers made their way around the Masonic Care Community in Utica Sunday morning to raise money to help find a cure for Crohn's and Colitis, two IBD's or inflammatory bowel diseases.

The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation Upstate Northeastern New York Chapter hosted the 2019 Utica Take Steps Walk and it was held under absolutely beautiful weather conditions.

A team of about 50 walkers came from from Met Life, led by Met Life Vice President Brian Sciortino. Sciortino says it's a great sight to see so many people from his company want to come out and help support such a wonderful cause, "Obviously it affects many people and anything that we can do to raise some money. It not only raises awareness but it helps find different treatment options and cures. It is extremely important."

The Mohawk Valley Endoscopy Center sees many of the people in our area who have been diagnosed with Crohn's or Colitis, which is a big reason why the center fields its own team for this walk each year just as it did on Sunday.

Mohawk Valley Endoscopy Center Administrator Wende Dixon says this walk is a very mportant event here in our community, "Raising money to support the Crohns and Colitis Foundation which is used for research as well as patient education and patient support is very important. These are chronic diseases that really impact a patients life day to day, so we're really hoping to find enough money to sponsor research to find a cure."

At each walk across the country local honored heroes are designated. These are people who have been diagnosed with Crohn's or Colitis and understand first-hand how difficult these diseases can be. They want to support patients like themselves because no one should face the challenges and uncertainty of IBD alone. Honored heroes use their story to raise awareness of these diseases, raise funds in support of the Foundation's mission, and inspire hope to those living with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

This year's Utica honored hero is 10 year old Lucas Ferguson who has Crohn's. His family and friends formed a team last year in Lucas's name called Lucas' Legion and this year, Lucas' Legion led this year's 2019 walk around the Masonic Care Community campus.

The goal of this year's walk in Utica is to raise $65,000.

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Walkers 'Take Steps' to find a cure for Crohn's and Colitis - WKTV