Nearly 60 took part in Saturday’s ‘Smash the Guts’ pickleball tournament in Barrie to raise awareness and funds for Canadians living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are considered two of the most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease.
According to Crohn’s & Colitis Canada, Canada has among the highest incidence rates of Crohn’s and colitis in the world, with one getting diagnosed with either disease every 48 minutes.
The new ‘Smash the Guts’ initiative is hoping pickleball can be one of many ways Canadians can fight back against the two diseases.
“It’s one of the fastest growing sports in Canada,” said Sean Madden, an organizer for the Barrie tournament. “Same with Crohn’s and colitis. It’s one of the fastest growing diseases in Canada.”
The ‘Smash the Guts’ pickleball mixer originated in Toronto and Niagara last year and expanded to Barrie for the first time this year with the goal of raising $20,000 to $25,000.
“We’re definitely spreading awareness because people are walking by our tournament table saying, ‘hey I have Crohn’s,’ or, ‘my loved one has ulcerative colitis, I didn’t know you existed,’” said Nicole Sage, development and community engagement coordinator for Crohn’s & Colitis Canada. “Then they can get resources, they can learn about our chapters, learn about other fundraising events. So the awareness is definitely happening with the fundraising dollars.”
Barrie becomes the third city to have a ‘Smash the Guts’ tournament.
Organizers hope it can continue to grow across the country.
“We’re smashing the guts, we are bringing awareness, we’re getting people talking about Crohn’s and colitis and we’re having fun with all the pickleball lovers,” added Sage. “That’s really what it’s all about. Having fun, raising awareness and raising important funds for more research that is needed to hopefully find that cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
