The Calgary Stampeders are proud to announce punter Rob Maver’s partnership with Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.

The seven-year veteran will serve as the Stamps’ player representative for the organization and will make personal appearances at fundraisers and other events.

“The complications of Crohn’s and colitis are both significant and many, yet there is a lack of awareness surrounding these diseases,” said Maver. “The more I learn about Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, the more I realize how prevalent it is and the growing burden it is both on patients and our healthcare system. I look forward to engaging with the IBD community in an effort to spread awareness and advance treatments for these invisible diseases.”

Three Albertans are diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis every day and more than 26,000 people in the province face these chronic diseases.

“Crohn’s and Colitis Canada is delighted with the commitment from Rob Maver of the Calgary Stampeders to support the local Crohn’s and colitis community,” said Mina Mawani, President and CEO of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. “The many programs focused on improving the lives of those living with Crohn’s and colitis will benefit from Rob’s support, such as the recently launched PACE network that includes IBD Centres at the Universities of Calgary and Alberta.

“The number of Canadians affected by Crohn’s and colitis is growing.  We need more advocates like Rob and the Stampeders to promote open discussion about the diseases that affect so many Canadians.”

One in 150 Canadians (nearly 250,000) lives with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Canada has among the highest rates of these diseases in the world. These hidden diseases cause inflammation and ulceration in the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include abdominal pain from ulceration, internal bleeding, depression, fatigue, and both urgent and prolonged diarrhea. Crohn’s and colitis are chronic conditions which last a lifetime, interfering with school, work and relationships. Learn more at crohnsandcolitis.ca

Crohn’s and Colitis Canada is the only national, volunteer-based charity focused on finding the cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and improving the lives of children and adults affected by these chronic diseases.