By Tanya Cronin

Life-changing camp for Kamloops boy battling Crohn’s Disease

Aug 8, 2016 | 5:21 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s a serious inflammatory disorder of the intenstine, making it exruciating to sometimes eat or go to the bathroom. 

Canada has among the highest rate of Crohn’s Disease in the world, impacting an estimated 1 in 150 Canadians, with the number of children suffering also rising. 

Between a strict medication regime and constant trips to the bathroom, summer camp isn’t always an option for children with the disease. 

However, CampGot2Go is helping to make things a little easier, and provide a comfortable place for kids battling similar challenges, to gather and have fun. 

WATCH: Full report by Tanya Cronin

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For one Kamloops boy, the week away from home was life-changing.   

It was a summer camp experience he will never forget. One where Gracyn Sieracki felt he could truly be himself.

“It’s just like meeting family I would say, they really understand you,” says Sieracki.

Gracyn has just returned from Camp Got2Go. The 12 year old spent a week at the Alberta-based camp, which brings together children and teens from across the country, who have Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. It was a jam-packed week, full of outdoor adventures.

“There was something called a giant swing, there’s lots of pedal carts, so little go-carts but you have to pedal, there’s rock climbing.”

2 years ago, Gracyn was diagnosed with a moderate to severe case of Crohn’s, an inflammatory bowel disease that can cause abdominal pain, fatigue, internal bleeding and diarrhea. For years, Gracyn’s condition went undetected, until one day, he went into surgery for what was thought to be appendicitis. 

“I was actually in school and my stomach started feeling a little bit weird, so I went to the bathroom a couple of times and then started feeling worse, it was hurting, sharp pains.”

“Unfortunately, right now at almost 3 years, he hasn’t achieved any remission yet, medication doesn’t really work for him right now, so we’re look at other options,” says Carmen Sieracki, Gracyn’s Mother.

Seeing the toll the disease has taken on her son, Gracyn’s mom Carmen was ecstatic when he was chosen for a week away from home, to interact and connect with other kids facing similar challenges.

“There was no bullying and it was just a week of pure fun, only he knows internally what he’s going through, so for him and the rest of our family it was great to see he got to enjoy this opportunity with other kids.”     

Gracyn, who’s heading into high school in September, will continue monthly rounds of treatment at BC Children’s Hospital. He’s hoping to apply for Camp Got2Go again, and fly to a place where he can forget about his disease and just have fun.

“I really want to go next year,” says Sieracki.