The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of Michigan is throwing its biggest party of the year at the MotorCity Casino Hotel on Saturday, September 26, for the 49th Annual Evening of Hope gala. The affair is designed to raise money for a disease that quietly affects millions of Americans.
Melissa Greer, executive director of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of Michigan, joined Local 4 to talk up the event, according to ClickOnDetroit. The station reports the gala marks the chapter's 49th annual fundraiser and will generate critical support for research, educational outreach, and programming for the IBD community across Metro Detroit.
The Michigan chapter, headquartered in Southfield, actually casts a wider net than just the Detroit metro area. According to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, the chapter provides research funding, patient education, and support services across the entire state of Michigan as well as Northwest Ohio.
A Disease Affecting Millions
Inflammatory bowel disease, which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is far more widespread than many realize. An August 2026 National Center for Health Statistics report estimated that U.S. adults had been diagnosed with IBD in 2023-2024, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The burden isn't limited to adults.
Geography matters too. IBD affects people across the United States, including in Michigan.
The Cost of Treatment
Beyond the physical toll, IBD also carries financial consequences.
Research is an ongoing part of efforts to improve IBD treatment.
More Than One Night a Year
The Evening of Hope is the marquee event on the Michigan chapter's calendar, but it isn't the only one. The chapter also lists events on its calendar.
The chapter additionally lists IBD Pro events in Detroit and Grand Rapids. Events like the gala help support the chapter's research, educational outreach, and programming for the IBD community.
The Evening of Hope has become something of a fixture in Metro Detroit's philanthropic calendar. This year's edition returns to MotorCity Casino Hotel on September 26, supporting the chapter's research and support work.
