If you want to put some spring in your philanthropic step, Tucson offers seasonal opportunities aplenty, beginning on Saturday, April 6 with fundraising walks to benefit health-related charities.
Back after a hiatus, Tucson Take Steps to benefit the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation begins at 9 a.m. at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, 3482 E. River Road.
The local walk is being spearheaded by a trio of moms: Jenny Kwapich, Amanda Raatz and Donna Saavedra, with assistance from recent Basis High School North graduate Nitish Bhamidipati.
“The walk is the largest, most impactful fundraiser that the foundation does nationally every year. It takes place in different locations around the country and provides education and support to patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), along with helping to fund all the research that leads to better and safer medications and, ultimately, hopefully a cure,” said Kwapich, who was galvanized into action when her daughter, Eva, 12, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease two years ago.
The diagnosis came as a surprise to the Kwapich family, who were not aware that kids could get IBD, which is the term for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. An estimated 1.3% of U.S. adults — approximately 3 million people — reported an IBD diagnosis in 2015, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The fastest growing, newly-diagnosed population is children and young adults. Although IBD is often thought of as a disease of older people, it is an autoimmune disease and there are a number of factors that contribute. It takes a trigger—environmental, viral, stress or something — for the disease to start attacking your own body. The important thing is creating awareness and a sense of community to let patients know they are supported,” said Mary Rein, Executive Director of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, Arizona Chapter.
Crohn’s is characterized by inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract, mostly commonly the small intestine, while ulcerative colitis involves inflammation and sores (ulcers) along the lining of the large intestine and rectum. IBD symptoms can range from mild to debilitating and commonly include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. Diagnosis is often challenging.
Eva initially had some symptoms at age eight, but she rebounded; at her 10-year well-check she had lost weight and had not grown, so her pediatrician ordered tests.
Jenny said they are blessed that a diagnosis quickly followed, along with treatment from Dr. Fayez Ghishan, the Director of Steele Children’s Research Center at the University of Arizona.
“No one wants to walk with their child through a chronic illness, but we talk about how it was a blessing to have early diagnosis. We get to guide Eva through the process of navigating the disease, so by the time she is an adult, she will be a pro. Honestly, it is not always easy to remember that, but we go back to that in moments of despair,” said Jenny.
She said that they rely on their Christian faith to and believe that “God will use this chapter of Eva’s story” to remind others that they are not alone as they battle IBD and other chronic illnesses.
Forging connections is also a goal of NAMIWalks Tucson, which will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 6 at the Fiesta Area at John F. Kennedy Park, 3359 S. La Cholla Blvd.
“COVID taught us the power of connections. Post-COVID we have entered into a new world and seen the rise of more significant behavioral health diagnoses. This is illustrated in our large homeless community all over Tucson and in the rise of substance abuse. We are facing many community issues that are tied to behavioral health and behavioral health services,” said Briana Felix, Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Southern Arizona.
The nonprofit, which is dedicated to helping people of all ages find help and hope for mental illness, seeks to raise $150,000 at the upcoming walk. Funds will support a range of programs that are free to the public, prioritizing expansion of the Ending the Silence suicide prevention program for middle school and high school youth.
“We want to provide equal access for behavioral health services in communities that have typically been under-represented and that includes expanding the programming in at-risk schools. Providing opportunities for youth to learn about mental health and healthy coping mechanisms at an early age — and teaching them to identify the triggers within themselves and in their friends — will reduce stigmas around mental health in our community,” said Felix.
Other offerings include a NAMI Basics course that serves parents and caregivers of adolescents living with mental health conditions; Peer-to-Peer, a course for people with mental health conditions led by peers; Family-to-Family, in which family members provide tools to the loved ones of those affected by mental illness; and In Our Own Voice, in which adults present their lived experiences to other adults.
