Walk for Hope, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s 14th Annual Event Benefiting the Center for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Raises More Than $242,000 to Support Transformative Research and Care

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Walk for Hope - Group on Stage at Citizens Bank Park On Sunday, April 16, patients, caregivers, families, and supporters making up more than 90 teams were at Citizens Bank Park and participated in the 14th Annual Walk for Hope, a 5K run/2K walk to raise awareness and funds for vital research and care for CHOP’s Center for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The morning was filled with arts and crafts, dancing, face painting and fun – all while celebrating IBD patients and their families.

Walk for Hope - Group on Stage at Citizens Bank Park - Amount Raised $242,813 The Walk for Hope has raised more than $2M since it began over a decade ago – and this year, a record-breaking amount of $242,813 (and counting!) was raised for CHOP’s Center for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease! Thanks to the funds generated, CHOP researchers have been provided the resources to continue to study breakthroughs to improve treatments, creating new hope for children with this painful disease.

There is currently 40+ active research studies and some funded by Walk for Hope include:

  • Creation of an IBD biorepository: CHOP is creating a repository of biological samples – blood, urine and stool — from patient colonoscopies and surgical resections for IBD and gastrointestinal (GI) research.
  • Increasing diversity of IBD research patients: In collaboration with Emory University, CHOP is completing a “Genesis AA” study to compare patients – African American vs. Caucasians of European descent – who have IBD. The goal is to identify any genetic similarities in how the disease occurs (inherited vs. acquired) in each population, as well improve the chances of gene discoveries to better support African American patients.

IBD is the fastest-growing pediatric disease in the United States and the fastest-growing autoimmune disease in children younger than five. CHOP’s Center for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease is making countless breakthroughs every day and the center treats more than 1,800 patients a year.

To learn more about the Walk for Hope, visit chopwalkforhope.org. To learn more about the programs and services offered at the Center for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease, visit chop.edu/centers-programs/center-pediatric-inflammatory-bowel-disease.