20.05.2015
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Turns Purple to Highlight World IBD Day
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral has teamed up with Gutsykids, a group of concerned parents campaigning for greater awareness about the challenges facing children and young people suffering with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Yesterday (May 19) the Cathedral marked World IBD Day by lighting up in purple signifying solidarity with sufferers and their families.
Across the globe there are five million people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, conditions known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). In Ireland alone there are an estimated 20,000 sufferers of IBD. IBD is a long–term condition that typically develops in early childhood and adolescence. It causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract, and can cause debilitating pain and discomfort and increase the risk of colorectal cancers. In Ireland it is reckoned that 10,000 sufferers have had to leave their jobs due to their debilitating condition.
“Cases of inflammatory bowel diseases are growing at an alarming rate worldwide, including in some of the most impoverished countries in the world,” says Dr Raymond Cross, Co–Chair of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s Patient Education Committee. “World IBD Day (19 May) gives the IBD medical and patient community an opportunity to join forces in the fight to raise awareness and help find cures.”