DETROIT — Scores of supporters gathered at the Detroit Riverfront starting at Rivard Park on Saturday, June 26 for the “Take Steps: Be Heard for Crohn’s and Colitis” walk with the goal of raising funds and awareness for the diseases.

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory disease of the intestines and/or the mouth and anus with no current cure and colitis is a similar inflammatory disease of the colon. Researchers are currently searching for a cure for both.

BCBSM is dedicated to understanding those needs and supporting better health in the communities in ways that make sense and resonate with their unique cultural characteristics.”

The event was held by the 50,000 member Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) with support from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM). A BCBSM representative said the insurance company has reached out to the Middle Eastern community’s leaders for insight and guidance about the communities they serve and making tangible efforts to help educate and connect with the community in ways that move them toward better health — being at the walk was one example. 

With an estimated 1 in 200 people in the United States suffering from digestive diseases, the need for more support in the fight against diseases like Crohn’s and colitis is pronounced.

On Saturday, the Yahya family of Dearborn stepped up to answer the call in support of a family member who came down with a digestive disease, which seems to be a problem among Arab Americans, according to the family.

“From what we’ve seen, these diseases are prevalent in the Middle Eastern community,” said Manal Yahya, whose family is of Palestinian descent.

“We’ve met lots of friends and know other people with Crohn’s or colitis. They are autoimmune diseases that aren’t easy to diagnose and require a lot of trial-and-error with medications to get the symptoms under control.”

Another family member walking in support, Ahmad Yahya, talked about the lack of discussion about the disease.

“It’s absolutely not well known especially in Michigan but by fundraising we can pay for more research and hopefully find a cure.”

The Yahya’s were awarded the Detroit River Walk Diversity Award for their outstanding leadership and outreach and were co-captains of “Team Glory,” one of 238 that supported the event.  Team Glory, recognized as a top fundraising team, included about 35 people, with their  fundraising efforts spearheaded by Maha Mustafa, Manal Yahya’s sister. Mustafa organized a successful bowling event and struck deals with Olga’s Restaurant in Dearborn Heights and Leo’s Coney Island in Dearborn to donate portions of sales on special dates to help raise funds.

The event also featured pre-walk speakers who talked about their families’ struggles with the diseases. Katie Coleman, whose daughter Emme is suffering with Crohn’s, spoke about the importance of supporting the foundation for research and education.

She also talked about finding support through the foundation.

“Emme has had the disease for about five years now and at first we felt so alone,” she said. “It was rough, she was missing a lot of school and having a lot of tests done. But through the CCFA we found a doctor and found people who understood what we were going through.”

Coleman and the Yahya family were able to witness the power of people coming together for a good cause on the day as the event raised about $100,000 according to Coleman as of the beginning of the walk.

The Arab and Chaldean communities factor into BCBSM’s efforts in general. “A growing and vibrant part of the Michigan population and economy — and like other ethnicities and backgrounds they have specific needs including those related to health care. BCBSM is dedicated to understanding those needs and supporting better health in the communities in ways that make sense and resonate with their unique cultural characteristics,” the company said in a press release. 

BCBSM wants community members to be aware that this disease and related conditions are prevalent. “Be conscious of this and ask your doctor about it when you think you may have related symptoms. Take the time to learn about issues related to digestive health. Chances are that a family member or loved one suffers from these diseases and conditions…so reach out to your loved ones who suffer from Crohn’s and Colitis — they are life-changing diseases and those who are dealing with them need your support.”

For more information on the diseases and the CCFA foundation, including Arabic language assistance, visit www.ccfa.org.