Walk for Hirschsprung’s Disease

September is Hirschsprung’s Disease awareness month! What better way to raise some money for Bowel Group for Kids Australia (BGK) than to have a walk followed by a sausage sizzle.

The Bowel Group for Kids (BGK) is the leading community-funded organisation in Australia dedicated to providing educational and emotional support to families of children born with Hirschsprung's disease, imperforate anus and associated conditions. The BGK provides strategies and support to assist in improving the quality of life for young people living with a congenital bowel disorder.

The Bowel Group for Kids is a registered charity no. CFN 12693

What is Hirschsprung’s Disease?

Hirschsprung disease affects the large intestine of newborns, babies, and toddlers. They have trouble emptying their bowels. Most of the time, the problems with pooping starts at birth, but in milder cases symptoms can appear months later. Babies almost always require surgery, often requiring a stoma which can usually be reversed at a later stage. Many children still have issues even after surgery and the diseased bowel has been removed.

Our Story

I am very passionate about raising money and awareness for this cause as two of my children and my husband have the disease. My 5 year old had a colostomy bag at 12 days old until they reversed it at 3 months but continues to have issues. My 10 month old has a more severe form with no large intestine working and had an iliostomy formed at 3 days old. We are hoping for his reversal surgery at 18 months and I hope that he won’t have any issues as he grows up, but its just a waiting game really.

Event

We will be meeting at Hollindale Park, MacArthur Parade Southport (south side of the Southport Surf Club). From this location we will commence a walk (approximately 5km) up to Cavill Avenue mall and back. 

We will then have a BBQ/sausage sizzle at Hollindale Park. 

There will be a raffle which you can purchase tickets to with all proceeds going to BGK. 

Face painting (free).

Cupcake stall to raise money for BGK.

Olympian, sports presenter and public speaker Duncan Armstrong will be attending the walk and will be giving a small talk on his journey with Hirschsprung’s Disease. Duncan is a patron of BGK and passionate about raising money and awareness for this cause. 

It will also be a great time to meet and chat with everyone.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Please tell your friends and family. 

The cost will be $10 for adults $5 for kids 5 and up