The Gutsy Group - About The Gutsy Group

About The Gutsy Group

The Gutsy Group is a foundation dedicated to raising money for research, so a cure can be found for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

There are over 70,000 people suffering from IBD in Australia. They are mostly young people who show great determination and courage in fighting a condition that lasts for many years.

Sadly, many patients view the symptoms as undignified, anti-social and something to hide.There is nothing glamorous about this disease.

IBD affects as many young Australians as other better known conditions such as Juvenile Diabetes and Multiple Sclerosis. Fund raising organisations for JD and MS are currently contributing substantial funds towards research. In comparison IBD receives little recognition and research is grossly underfunded. 

The Gutsy Group is determined to make a difference. Raising money to fund vital research and give hope to these brave and ‘Gutsy’ people is why The Gutsy Group has been established.

Members of The Gutsy Group include:

Mr. Brent Lehmann

Chairman

Ms Clare Cummins

Committee of Management member

Dr Ross Elliott

Senior Gastroenterologist at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic, St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne.

Ms Lorraine Elliott

A Director of Big Brother/Big Sister, Melbourne International Arts Festival, Australian Children’s Television Foundation, St. Vincent’s Hospital, and former member of Victorian Parliament.

Tony Catto-Smith

Associate Professor Tony Catto-Smith MD, FRACP, MRCP

Associate Professor Tony Catto-Smith is Director of the Department of Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

Ms. Penny Grau

Committee of Management member

Mrs. Leslie Moat

Executive Officer

Dr. Miles Sparrow

Dr. Miles Sparrow attends inflammatory bowel disease clinics at The Alfred and Box Hill Hospitals and works in private practice at Brighton Gastroenterology Associates.