Awareness Month 2020
You’re Not Alone
This May Crohn’s & Colitis Australia celebrates 35 years of support for people living with inflammatory bowel disease.
Download promotional material
Print, distribute or share on social media during May.
- Download the Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month poster here.
- Download the Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month flyer here.
- Download social tiles to post on your preferred platform: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • LinkedIn
Working from Home? The Facebook social tile is the perfect size for a Zoom or Microsoft Teams ‘Virtual Background’ too!
Also available are tiles to help you thank those who matter most to you on social media – available for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Stories, Instagram posts, and LinkedIn.
Go purple for Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month this May 2020!
What’s on during Awareness Month:
Get creative with your fundraising from home this year
We know that many of CCA’s supporters love to fundraise at this time of year. Whilst, this year will look and feel quite different, it is still a great opportunity to support each other, talk about IBD and get creative generating awareness.
If you would like to raise awareness of IBD in your own community and fundraise in the process, here’s a list of ideas to get you started.
- What’s your vice? Consider going without something during May. Eg: Alcohol, chocolate, sugar.
- Host a purple themed virtual office morning tea via Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Skype.
- Working from home? Consider donating the $$ you are saving by not commuting to work.
- Personal challenge: set yourself a physical challenge during May. eg: 5km walk/run each day
- Shave your head for World IBD Day
- Dress in purple, wear your purple awareness month ribbon on 19th May, share photos on social media
- Bake purple themed cakes, share your photos on IBD Awareness Day
- Decorate your house in purple and share on social channels
- Host a virtual ‘Girl’s night in’ or movie night with friends
How do I set up an online fundraising page?
- Create an online fundraising page on either mycause or gofundraise.
- Follow the prompts to set up your page and choose ‘Crohn’s & Colitis Australia’ as the charity you wish to fundraise on behalf of, add text about yourself and your fundraiser and add an image to share.
- Share your fundraising page via text message, email or social media with friends, family and work colleagues to raise awareness, gain support and drive donations!
For more information on fundraising, email [email protected].
IBD Online Q&A Event
A livestreamed Q&A panel discussion will take place on Tuesday 2 June at 7pm AEST. You will be able to watch the live stream from anywhere you can access the internet.
Tune in via Facebook to watch our live streamed Q&A panel discussion hosted by Justan Singh (IBD Warrior) with special guest speakers:
- Professor Susan Connor – Gastroenterologist
- Alex Sechi – IBD Clinical Nurse Consultant
Get your purple ribbon
CCA has purple Awareness Ribbons available for purchase, wear yours proudly during Awareness month.
You can purchase yours for $3 or a pack of 10 for $27 at the CCA online shop.
Social media
Share the Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Month campaign during May and help us raise awareness on your social media pages. Be sure to use the following hashtags when you post about the campaign:
#MyIBDnurse
#WorldIBDday2020
#YoureNotAlone
#MakeIBDWork
Stay informed and connected during Awareness Month by following CCA on social media. We would love to hear from you!
Cancelled activities
Please note, due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, these awareness month activities have been cancelled this year:
– Shine a Light campaign – lighting up significant landmarks around Australia in purple, the international IBD awareness colour;
– Silver Lining Lunch – RACV City Club, Melbourne.
Video Series – ‘Wellbeing Strategies for your IBD’
We are very excited to announce the launch of a new 4-part video series during Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month 2020.
The series titled ‘Wellbeing strategies for your IBD’ has been produced by Flic Manning, founder of Corethentic and proud Crohn’s & Colitis Australia Ambassador, on behalf of CCA to help support you through every aspect of your wellbeing.
The videos feature some helpful wellness tips, strategies and exercises you can participate in from anywhere.
Flic covers the 3 pillars of wellness (mental, physical and emotional) from the perspective of someone living with IBD and how to improve your wellbeing.
Watch the full series below – click the 1/4 symbol in the top right to choose your video:
CCA on the radio
Crohn’s & Colitis Australia CEO, Leanne Raven
on Afternoons with Deborah Knight (2GB)
Full audio: https://omny.fm/shows/afternoons-with-deborah-knight/friday-health-crohn-s-and-colitis-awareness-month
Crohn’s & Colitis Australia CEO, Leanne Raven
on Saturday Breakfast with Christine Layton (ABC Perth)
Full audio: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/perth/programs/saturdaybreakfast/saturday-breakfast/12256622
Note: IBD discussion and interview starts at the 1hr 27min mark.
Prof Paul Pavli
on Saturday Night with Dr Sally Cockburn (3AW, 2GB, 2CC, 4BC)
Full audio (part 2): https://www.3aw.com.au/show/dr-sally-cockburn/
Note: Interview located in Part 2 of the podcast
Crohn’s & Colitis Australia Chairman, Bruce Rosengarten
on 101.3fm Voice of the Avon
Full audio:
https://soundcloud.com/crohnsandcolitisaustralia-cca/bruce-rosengarten-interview-1013-voice-of-the-avon
Crohn’s & Colitis Australia Ambassador, Melita Griffin
on Drive with Lucy Breaden (ABC Hobart)
Full audio: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/hobart/programs/drive/drive/12240826
Note: World IBD Day interview starts at the 1hr 17min mark.
Crohn’s & Colitis Australia Ambassador, Flic Manning
on Afternoons with Jacinta Parsons (ABC Melbourne)
Link has now expired. For more information about wellbeing and IBD see Flic’s videos above.
Media releases
14 May 2020
“Make IBD work this World IBD Day”
Crohn’s & Colitis Australia joins the world in uniting people living with inflammatory bowel disease for World IBD Day on 19 May
During Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month in May, Crohn’s & Colitis Australia (CCA) is excited to take part in World IBD Day. World IBD Day seeks to raise awareness, urge governments and healthcare professionals across the globe to take action, and to show support to the ten million people worldwide that live with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
More than 85,000 Australians are living with inflammatory bowel disease; in fact, Australia has one of the highest rates of IBD prevalence and incidence in the world. By 2022, it is expected that the number of people living with IBD in Australia will rise to over 100,000 – and yet, there is still no known cause or cure for IBD.
The focus of this year’s World IBD Day is work and IBD, so CCA wants to raise awareness of the impact IBD has on a person’s professional working life. CCA believes that with a better understanding of the disease and a supportive work environment, we can make IBD work!
“With the help of CCA and the talented IBD nurses around Australia, people living with these chronic illnesses can focus on creating full and rewarding working lives. Work is an essential part of leading a fulfilling and engaged life; we’re committed to helping people improve their wellbeing and pursue their professional goals,” says CCA CEO, Leanne Raven.
The recent events related to the COVID-19 pandemic mean that CCA’s support services are needed now more than ever by the IBD community. By emphasising that no one is alone, CCA strives to unite Australians living with IBD ensuring that each person’s concerns are acknowledged and responded to in a way that empowers people to live life to their full potential.
“Living with Crohn’s and colitis can be a physical and emotional rollercoaster at the best of times. Having reliable advice, links to reputable information and access to specific personal guidance to help with managing challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the many ways in which CCA supports the IBD community.
“This advice is available on the CCA website, where there is a web-page dedicated to the COVID 19 pandemic, https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.au/news/coronavirus-covid-19-health-alert/. In addition, if someone wants answers to very specific questions, CCA provides support via helplines to IBD nurses and the CCA support crew,” says CCA board member and gastroenterologist, Professor Paul Pavli AM.
On World IBD Day, CCA will work to raise awareness for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, demonstrating to the 85,000 Australians diagnosed that they are not alone, that support is available, and that their diagnosis doesn’t have to define their life.
If you’ve been diagnosed with IBD, join a community that understands. For further information, or to donate, visit https://crohnsandcolitis.org.au/how-to-help/crohns-and-colitis-awareness-month-2020/ or call 1800 138 029.
– ends –
For media enquiries, contact Stacey James on 0490 672 900
30 April 2020
Ahead of Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month in May, Crohn’s & Colitis Australia (CCA) is proud to celebrate its 35th anniversary this year, marking more than three decades of support, advocacy and education for people living with Crohn’s and colitis in the Australian community.
However, the numbers show that CCA’s vital work isn’t done particularly as we believe these are conservative estimates. More than 85,000 Australians are living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In fact, Australia has one of the highest rates of IBD prevalence and incidence in the world. By 2022, it is expected that the number of people living with IBD in Australia will rise to over 100,000 – and yet, there is still no known cause or cure for IBD.
This May, Associate Professor Leanne Raven, Chief Executive of Crohn’s and Colitis Australia, wants Crohn’s and colitis patients to know they are not alone.
“We understand how difficult an IBD diagnosis can be. People living with IBD often don’t speak about their illness—choosing to hide an IBD diagnosis—because they are too embarrassed to acknowledge living with this chronic disease. As a result, IBD patients can feel isolated and alone with no means of working through their feelings and articulating their struggles. This can lead to serious psychological wellbeing issues such as anxiety and depression in addition to battling the chronic physical symptoms.”
“The right support from health professionals, family, friends and work colleagues can make a very positive difference to their health and wellbeing. Knowing you’re not alone is essential.”
“The global theme for World IBD Day on Tuesday 19 May is ‘Work and IBD’. With the help of CCA and the talented IBD nurses around Australia, people living with these chronic illnesses can focus on creating full and rewarding working lives. Work is an essential part of leading a fulfilling and engaged life; we’re committed to helping people get back to their professional passions.”
“CCA is here to help lighten the load and provide the crucial support this community needs. We will continue our work in providing strength, hope and optimism. We want to continue to be the support network people can turn to when the bad days, weeks, and even years become too much.”
This year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is also celebrating the Year of the Nurse. The tireless work of all the IBD nurses across Australia is an embodiment of the ‘You’re Not Alone’ message.
“CCA would like to acknowledge and thank all the nurses who have chosen to specialise in IBD care. Without their professional expertise and knowledge, patients who play a key role in managing these serious chronic conditions simply wouldn’t have access to the holistic care and support they need to lead a fulfilling life,” said Raven.
Throughout May, CCA will work to raise awareness for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, demonstrating to the 85,000 Australians diagnosed that they are not alone, that support is available, and that their diagnosis doesn’t have to define their life.
If you’ve been diagnosed with IBD, join a community that understands. For further information, or to donate, visit www.crohnsandcolitis.wpengine.com or call 1800 138 029.
– ends –
For media enquiries, contact Stacey James on 0490 672 900
Crohn’s & Colitis Australia’s 2020 Awareness Month is supported by Janssen Australia and New Zealand, Takeda Australia, and Dr Falk Australia.
All content is independently produced by Crohn’s & Colitis Australia.