World IBD Day 2025: Awareness-Raising Activities

Every year on 19 May, people around the world come together to recognise World IBD Day. This day is dedicated to raising awareness of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis, which is the most common form of IBD.

This year, the ImmUniverse partner European Federation of Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis Associations organised World IBD Day with a focus on breaking down the stigma and taboos surrounding IBD, particularly the difficulties in discussing bowel movements. Open conversations are essential to improving patient well-being, influencing clinical practices, and changing societal perceptions. By normalising the conversation, we can challenge outdated norms and promote a future where nobody feels ashamed of their condition.

This World IBD Day, several ImmUniverse partners have broken the silence, normalised conversations about bowel health, and shone a light on invisible illnesses.

Turning Purple for IBD
World IBD Day is also symbolised by the colour purple, representing visibility, solidarity and awareness. Across Europe and beyond, our ImmUniverse partners marked the day with creative acts of support.

• The purple lighting of buildings and landmarks
• Partners wore purple ribbons and shared solidarity messages
• Photos and stories posted on social media with the hashtags #WorldIBDDay2025, #IBDHasNoBorders and #BreakingTaboos.

Thank you to everyone who took part, shared a story, wore a purple ribbon or simply took a moment to help normalise conversations about bowel health and reduce the stigma surrounding IBD.