The third annual Achalasia Awareness Walk took place Sunday, Sept. 25 in Ellwood Park in Abbotsford.
Fundraising went to Global Genes – an organization which funds research and promotes awareness for all rare diseases – and to sustain this annual event.
The Abbotsford walk was organized by Jenine Wright, 28, who has suffered with achalasia for over 10 years.
Achalasia is a rare esophageal disorder that affects eating and everyday life. Approximately one in 100,000 people have the disease.
"There is no support system of this kind in B.C. or Canada from what I understand. I want to change that,” Wright said. “Each year we've put on this walk we meet new achalasia sufferers who thought they were suffering alone.”
Wright’s goal is to grow the event each year and to become the first official achalasia support group in the community.
For more information or to donate visit achalasiawalk.ca