Purple brightens night for IBDs

THE Town Hall’s clockface brightened the night with purple light last week, drawing attention to World Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Day.

Lake Wendouree and Lake Penhalluriack’s fountains also lit up purple, as part of the national Shine A Light campaign raising awareness of debilitating IBDs, like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis that chronically inflame the digestive tract.

Crohn’s & Colitis Australia predicts 100,000 people across the country will be experiencing IBDs by next year.

The organisation’s chief executive Leanne Raven said the diseases are invisible, and many sufferers are silent about their pain.

“People living with inflammatory bowel disease often don’t share their problems or experiences with others, or ask for help when they need it because of the stigma surrounding the diseases,” she said.

“Increasing the understanding of these lifelong illnesses is vital, as the lack of awareness has a direct impact on investment in research to find a cure, and support funding to provide access to the best available healthcare.

“This includes funding for multidisciplinary team-based healthcare professionals, which are proven to have a huge impact on people’s wellbeing and quality of life.”

Ms Raven has a goal to make IBD nurses, dietitians and psychologists more accessible for those receiving treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases.

“Most IBD patients will have a gastroenterologist alongside their GP, but… by improving access to these other healthcare professionals, and by bridging the gaps between primary and secondary care, the chance of emergency hospital admissions, and associated costs, could be reduced,” she said.

World IBD Day, Wednesday, 19 May, encouraged people to #FlushTheStigma and share their experiences of living with an IBD. Visit crohnsandcolitis.com.au for more information.