DES MOINES, Iowa — The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation hosted the annual Iowa Take Steps Walk at Blank Park Zoo on Saturday.

Organizers say their goal is to raise awareness for inflammatory bowl disease, specifically Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, two similar diseases that impact millions of people worldwide. There is no cure for the disease.

Jason Anderson is the Executive Director for the Iowa and Nebraska chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. He said that 48,000 people suffer from Crohn’s and Colitis in both states.

“An inflammatory bowl disease isn’t something that someone just comes right out and says that they have… so having events like our Iowa Take Steps Walk to raise awareness, create community for the IBD patients, it’s really important,” he said.

The event kicked off at 10 a.m. WHO 13’s Gabe Prough emceed, introducing the crowd to local Honored Heroes. Participants later walked one-mile around the zoo.

Patients, caregivers, and supporters were each given ribbons with colors corresponding to their roles and they tied the ribbons onto two ropes.

The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation also raised funds to help find a cure. According to their Senior Community Manager, Maureen Rohlfs, their goal was to raise $65,000 and they have exceeded their goal before registration event started.

In previous years, the walk has taken place at the Iowa State Capitol. This is the first year that the event was held at Blank Park Zoo’s event center. Around 250 people came out in support.

Those who attend the event have free admission into the zoo all day.