Andrew Holt

Andrew Holt, 27, a sales rep with Sutton Group – Quantum Realty in Mississauga, Ont. has a spent most of his life coping with Crohn’s, a disease that is becoming increasingly common among Canadians and has no definitive cause and no cure as of yet.

“When I was diagnosed with Crohn’s at eight years old, I was one of the youngest cases in Canada,” says Holt. “When I was growing up, it was a disease that not a lot of people had heard of.  My classmates didn’t understand.  Although I had great support from family and doctors, it was really helpful to have the support of people who have personal experience with the daily realities.”

Recently Crohn’s and Colitis Canada launched the “Make it stop. For Life” awareness and fundraising campaign.  As part of the campaign, Holt was to speak as an ambassador in front of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Crohn’s and Colitis Canada is also involved in research as the founder and a major contributor to the GEM Project, which is analyzing the possible genetic, environmental and microbial connections. www.crohnsandcolitis.ca.