An 11–year-old Bellevue resident, Joey Peha, was recently chosen as the honored participant in this year’s Take Steps and Be Heard for Crohn’s and Colitis, a local walk to raise money for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune disease in which the stomach does not correctly digest food. According to Lacy Lawson, the walk coordinator, there is currently no known cause or cure for the disease.

Lawson said that Joey was chosen as this year’s honored participant in the walk because of his ambition and drive for the cause.

“His smile and his personality and his go-getter attitude are just remarkable,” she said. “I just thought ‘this kid has something that needs to be put forth.’”

Last summer, Joey did a 40-mile bike ride and raised $1,200 for the cause.

“I thought to myself, this is a good cause, I’ve got Crohn’s, so why can’t I raise money to help out?” Joey said.

Joey’s goal this year is $7,500. He plans to raise the money by participating in the 2-3 mile foundation walk and doing his own 70-mile bike ride at the end of the summer. He wants the money he raises to go straight to research.

“It is not just important to find a cure though,” Joey said, “Even if they could find a pill, just one, to make it easier.” He said that he currently takes four pills in the morning and two at night to combat the disease.

The walk will take place at 4 p.m. on July 18 at Magnuson Park in Seattle and is hosted by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. The citywide goal is $178,000. The average participant in the walk raises roughly $250.

The money from the walk goes to serve the foundation’s mission, which is to both find a cure for the disease as well as improve the quality of life for those affected by Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.

Lawson said that Joey stands out because many people with Crohn’s are embarrassed by the condition and don’t want to talk about the issue. She also said that the walk is important primarily for people who are not yet comfortable with their condition.

“They will come to these events and see that there are lots of people who either are patients or are in complete support of the patients,” Lawson said. “It shows them that they are not alone.”

For more information about the walk or Joey’s mission contact Donna Peha at dpeha@comcast.net or visit here.

Kirsten Smith is an intern with the Bellevue Reporter. She is a student at Northwestern University in Illinois.