Crohn’s & Colitis Walk set for today

Early risers can enjoy a nice walk in the park, bite to eat and other activities at today’s Take Steps for Crohn’s &Colitis Walk beginning at 9 a.m. Just throw on comfortable shoes — bring your leashed dog, too — and come to Exploration Park in Mountain’s Edge in southwest Las Vegas.

Participation helps raise awareness and funds to find a cure for inflammatory bowl diseases, often called the “silent diseases” because many patients are embarrassed to talk about their condition. Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and other diseases causing inflammation of the intestines are prevalent, with 1 in 200 Americans suffering from them.

The Take Steps community walk — and companion festivities — is the major fundraiser for the nonprofit Crohn’s &Colitis Foundation of America, Las Vegas Chapter. CCFA is funding 220 research projects to learn more about the diseases and how they can be treated and cured.

In addition to the leisurely stroll through Exploration Park, Take Steps activities include live music, food tent, kids entertainment, raffle with prizes, vendor booths, wellness area and educational materials. The Kids Zone has a bounce house, face-painting, balloon artist and games. The 80-acre park offers replicas of an Old Western village and archeological dig area.

Onsite registration is from 9 to 9:30 a.m. with the walk at 10 a.m. Exploration Park is at 9700 S. Buffalo Drive, south of Blue Diamond Road.

Each year the nonprofit organization chooses a local resident with IBD to be the Take Steps Honored Hero. The 2016 honoree is 10-year-old Ben Etter. He was 6 when he began to have stomach aches and other symptoms, and after a number of doctor visits was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease a year later. This will be the third year Ben and his family have participated in the walk, naming their team “Ben’s Creepers” because of his love of the Minecraft game.

While no registration fee is required, a $25 per person donation is encouraged. Registered team members and attendees who donate will receive a wristband for free food and other refreshments.

Take Steps is sponsored by Abbvie, Dignity Health — St. Rose Hospital, Ed Bernstein &Associates, Mountain’s Edge Community, Shire and United Healthcare.

For more information about The Crohn’s &Colitis Foundation, visit www.ccfa.org or call 888-694-8872.