Mtarfa’s clock tower will join the Tower of Pisa and Niagara Falls and light up in purple this evening to highlight the impact of inflammatory bowel diseases.

The clock tower lighting marks the first time Malta has taken part in activities around World IBD Day. More than 100 landmarks across the world will shine purple this evening, in honour of the more than five million people who live with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

The two chronic digestive conditions – which are collectively referred to as IBD - directly affect the digestive system and cause intestinal tissue to become inflamed, form sores and bleed easily. The disease has a tremendous impact on the physical and emotional well-being.

There is no cure, no known cause, and little public understanding of the pain and chronic suffering IBD patients suffer.

“It’s amazing to see so many cities and countries coming together in our efforts to raise awareness for these devastating diseases,” says Marco Greco, Chairperson of the European Federation of Crohn's & Ulcerative Colitis Associations (EFCCA).

“On 19 May we will literally turn the world purple and shine a light on the pain and chronic suffering with which over 5 million people are courageously coping every day.

World IBD Day is marked on 19 May each year. World IBD Day is led by patient organisations representing 35 countries on four continents from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, 28 European nations, through the umbrella organisation EFCCA, Israel, Japan, New Zealand to the United States of America.