The 7th Annual Gutsy Walk is coming up on June 3.
It is set to go at the Athabasca Fire Hall, with registration to start at 10:00 a.m, and the walk itself to begin at 10:30.
And once again, the money being raised will be going to research in the fight against Crohn's disease, as well as against colitis.
Crohn's and colitis are disorders that cause the intestines to become inflamed and ulcerated. It is caused by an abnormal response of the body’s immune system, and symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, fatigue, diarrhea and weight loss from the inability to absorb nutrients.
Rosemary Fitzmaurice, the walk's advertising co-ordinator, said in an email that both diseases have affected people on the local level.
"I first got involved because my husband has colitis," Fitzmaurice said. "The event on June 3 is fun for the whole family, as it will include a barbecue, face-painting, as well as a mascot."
he mascot, according to Fitzmaurice, will be Joey Maddison, also known as Patches the clown, from a service called "One Red Nose and Ten Happy Toes."
"He will lead the route as the people walk while dressed up as a lego man," Fitzmaurice said. "And afterward, he will also be there to entertain the kids."
Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater MLA Colin Piquette will also be on hand at the event.
"He will do a speech prior to the event itself," she said. "There will also be a warm-up 10 minutes prior to the walk. All festivities are set to go right up until 2:30 p.m."
She added that she appreciates the support that the group has received over the years.
"We raised a total of $7,328 in the walk last year," she said in the email. "We are very grateful for any support we receive in support for the cause."
For more information, you can contact the walk's organizer, Lee Deren, by phone at 780-213-4929, or by email at [email protected]. To register or make a donation, you can also visit the website at www.gutsywalk.ca.
