Hundreds of people will walk the John Nesbitt Loop the weekend of Oct. 25-26 to raise money and create a community around two health concerns often pushed into the margins of public discourse.
Take Steps for Crohn’s & Colitis, organized by the Carolinas Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, will take place Oct. 25
Elizabeth Fligor, walk coordinator, said the Take Steps walk offers an open, supportive environment for individuals diagnosed with irritable bowel disorders, which are often uncomfortable to explain.
“A lot of people keep quiet about it. It’s something they suffer with in silence. It’s an embarrassing disease, so they don’t want to talk about it, but it is much more serious than most people know,” Fligor said.
Fligor said she expects the walk to attract between 200 and 250 participants and raise $40,000. Advance registration is preferred, but check in and same-day registration will be available at 3 p.m before the walk begins at 4 p.m. After the walk, participants can enjoy refreshments and socialize.
“Everyone can hang out. It’s a big picnic, almost like a family reunion kind of atmosphere. Because it’s a smaller walk, a lot of people will know each other. A lot of their physicians and medical staff will be there and that’s nice, especially for the kids, to see the physicians outside the hospital,” Fligor said.
Registration is free, but a $25 donation is suggested. Proceeds go toward research to uncover the cause of and a cure for IBD.
The Third Annual Out of Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention, organized by the North Carolina chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, will take place Oct. 26.
Louise Rippy Lane, event co-chair, said the walk is organized to break the stigma of suicide by encouraging an open, honest conversation.
“We saw a lot of it when Robin Williams died. There were a lot more people talking about it, and that’s the biggest thing: to talk about it; to let people know there are ways to get through it; to bring messages of hope not only to people who are suffering, but people who have lost loved ones,” Lane said.
Lane got involved with the foundation after her father, James Fred Rippy III, died by suicide in 2010. Lane said she was surprised by her father’s death. Rippy suffered from bipolar disorder but remained active in the Wilmington community, especially with the St. James Episcopal Church youth group. Lane said she found healing and inspiration during her first Out of Darkness walk in 2010.
The foundation hopes to raise $25,000 and attract 500 participants. Registration and check-in begins at 12:30 p.m. Before the walk begins at 2 p.m., participants can visit health and wellness information tables and share pictures or memories of loved ones lost to suicide or messages of hope on message boards.
Registration is free. Proceeds are split evenly between the national foundation and the local chapter for research, education and support programs.
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