IFFGD's Virtual Digestive Health Wellness & Walk: A Unique Charitable Event

is open through July 13, 2024.

The virtual event dates are Saturday, July 6, 2024 – Saturday, July 13, 2024.

Note: Registration must be completed on the virtual event platform (not on Eventbrite).

Event Overview

The 2024 Virtual Digestive Health Wellness & Walk held Saturday, July 6, 2024 – Saturday, July 13, 2024 is a charitable event to raise money to support gastrointestinal illness research.

Like a traditional walk, participants register to be active to get credit for steps taken during the event. However, this event goes beyond a step goal by also awarding points to participants for self-care, wellness, and outreach activities. #Moves4GIhealth24

Who Can Participate?

Anyone that wants to participate, can participate! The event is designed for both athletic and non-athletic participants. And it is all virtual so you can participate regardless of your location!

Participants are awarded points for wellness, self-care, outreach, and physical activity which allows anyone regardless of mobility to participate.

Event Registration Details

The event registrants have four options. The higher the level selected, the more benefit for the registrant. Event t-shirts** are provided at the conclusion of the event.

1. Bronze $15 Access to event platform, event activities, and eligible for top place medal in fundraising, wellness, engagement, and steps. Note: No t-shirt with this level
2. Silver $30 Access to event platform and activities, event t-shirt**, and eligible for top place medal in fundraising, wellness, engagement, and steps.
3. Gold $50 Access to event platform and activities, event t-shirt**, printed certificate of completion, IFFGD pen, entry into drawing for a $5 Amazon gift card, and eligible for top place medal in fundraising, wellness, engagement, and steps.
4. Platinum $100 Access to event platform and activities, event t-shirt**, printed certificate of completion, IFFGD pen, special IFFGD swag, entry into drawing for a $10 Amazon gift card, eligible for top place medal in fundraising, wellness, engagement, and steps, and eligible medal for Top 3 Total Footprints (Platinum only) medal.

**T-shirts will be ordered and mailed after the conclusion of the event. This allows IFFGD to order the exact number of t-shirts to avoid unnecessary costs. T-shirts will not be mailed outside of the continental United States due to cost. This may not apply to groups receiving shirts at one address.

Registration must be completed on the .

Note: Registering in Eventbrite does not register you in the virtual event but it will trigger an email to you with a link to registration in the event platform. If you do not receive an email, you can go directly to registration here.

Participant Activities

There are many ways for participants to earn points regardless of fitness level and mobility. Activities focus strongly on wellness, self-care, as well as traditional and non-traditional fitness activities.

Self-Care & Wellness Activity: Participants will enter self-care activities in the Charity Footprints platform to receive the points allotted for the activity. Activity examples include scheduling a healthcare provider appointment, reading, meditation, keeping a food/symptom diary, donating, volunteering, hydrating, engaging in platform chat or Scrapbook (posting, liking or commenting on an image), inviting participants to join through the platform, and interacting with IFFGD on social media. A full list of self-care activities is available at the link below.

2024 Wellness Activities List

Physical Activity: Steps and activity earn points. The platform, Charity Footprints, offers six (6) wearable device integrations: Fitbit, Apple Health Kit (Apple Watch), Garmin, Misfit, Android Wearables (Google Fit), and Strava. These devices can be linked to sync steps or steps can be entered manually. Activity to Step Conversion Chart Warning: Check with your healthcare provider before starting a new exercise program or making lifestyle changes.

Fundraising: Upon registration, a fundraising page is created for each participant. Participants can share this page on their social platforms or with supporters directly to get donations to support their involvement. Fundraising is appreciated but not required.

IFFGD Event Activities

During the event, IFFGD will utilize the Charity Footprints platform chat to engage participants while offering opportunities to earn wellness points. Some of the week’s activities include:

• Virtual Scientific Article Journal Club with Dr. Amol Sharma on Monday, July 8th 1:00 p.m. EST
• Virtual Scientific Article Journal Club with Dr. Kyle Staller on Wednesday, July 10th 1:00 p.m. EST
• Video Premier on IFFGD’s YouTube channel for the new IFFGD series –
• Unveiling of IFFGD coloring sheets created by artist, Kayla Griffin
• Video Premier of cooking demonstrations of GI-friendly recipes hosted by registered dietitians
• Sharing educational fact sheets and recipes from IFFGD’s publication library
• Virtual Jazzercise classes for the week of the event

Proceeds for Gastrointestinal Research

One of the goals is to raise money to support gastrointestinal (GI) illness research while providing education and raising awareness about chronic gastrointestinal illnesses.

The proceeds will be used to support research activities for gastrointestinal illness. To date, research support totaling $85,000 has been funded by the annual Digestive Health Wellness and Walk event.

In 2022, IFFGD awarded a $30,000 gastrointestinal illness research grant made possible by the proceeds from the 2021 event, Make Moves for GI Health.

In 2023, IFFGD awarded a $35,000 gastrointestinal illness research grant and several smaller supporting grants made possible by the proceeds from the 2022 event. Our goal for the 2024 is to exceed the prior grant award through individual registrant fundraising and our sponsors.

Event Awards

Participating in a fun and worthwhile event is rewarding, but it can be exciting to win an accolade for an accomplishment. This year’s event offers the opportunity for registrants to win small awards as individuals and as part of a team.

Note: In the event of a tie, the winner will be determined by drawing from eligible participants.

Next Steps

• Register, Donate, or both! And mark your calendar with event dates so you can join the fun.
• Start to recruit others to create a team, have more competition, or to raise more for research.
• Share information about the upcoming event on social channels, with family & friends, and healthcare providers in your network.
• Get ready to support research for gastrointestinal illness.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get credit for my physical and wellness activities? Steps can be automatically linked to the event by linking your fitness tracker or manually entered. Other physical or wellness activities will need to be entered in Charity Footprints by logging in and selecting Add New Activities. The list of options will be available in the drop-down.

2. Can I participate if I don’t have a fitness tracker? Yes! Keep track of your steps or miles using a pedometer, your phone, or other device. Then manually enter the steps into Charity Footprints.

3. Can I get credit for physical activity i.e. swimming, weightlifting, housework, etc.? Yes, use the exercise conversion chart provided to translate the activity into steps. Then enter the steps manually into Charity Footprints.

4. Do I have to fundraise? Fundraising is not required to participate. However, this is an activity that will get you more points toward your total and more funding for the research grant for gastrointestinal illness research.

5. What if I want to be on a team but don’t have one? You can email [email protected] and request to be added to an IFFGD team. We are always happy to have new members!

6. Why are my steps from my activity tracker not showing? Check to verify that you have sync your tracker to its application. Then open the Charity Footprints application. This should sync the steps. Email [email protected] or use the chat in the event if you need more assistance.

7. Are the activities cumulative for the whole event? Yes, your wellness and physical activities for July 9-16, 2022 are totaled for your final score.

8. How do I receive information on becoming an event sponsor? Email [email protected] requesting sponsor information.

Have other questions? Contact [email protected] or watch our event informational video.

Looking back at the past virtual digestive health wellness and walk events.

Notes about event t-shirt:

• T-shirts are unisex short sleeved Gildan dry blend 65% Poly\35% cotton.

• Bronze level registration does not include a t-shirt.

• T-shirts will be ordered and mailed after the conclusion of the event. This allows us to order the exact number of t-shirts to avoid unnecessary cost.

• T-shirts will not be mailed outside of the continental United States due to cost. This may not apply to groups receiving shirts at one address. International participants should email Jamie DuMont, [email protected], if they would like to cover postage to receive a shirt.

Event Venue

Online