In an important move for individuals all over the country – the United States senate declared September 13th to be National Celiac Awareness Day, in honor of the doctor who identified a link between celiac disease and diet. That man was Dr. Samuel Gee, a pioneer in celiac disease research.
So how should you celebrate this important but lesser-known day? Take some inspiration from us!
1. Spread the word
Did you know: the Celiac Disease Foundation states that about 1 in 100 people have celiac disease, “an inherited autoimmune disease that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is ingested.” Additionally, roughly .4 percent of people have a “doctor-diagnosed wheat allergy, according to a 2006 study”. That means that you could have friends or colleagues that are silently suffering from symptoms and may be unaware of what questions to ask their primary care provider. Spreading the word is as simple as creating a post on social media, reaching out to a friend in need, sharing one of our gluten-free recipes, or attending celiac-friendly events in your area. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #NationalCeliacAwarenessDay
2. Throw a Gluten-Free Party
We love any occasion to throw a party – so why not celebrate all the delicious foods you CAN eat, despite your diagnosis. We have tons of recipes for party dips and spreads in our blog. Build-your-own pizza parties can also be a fantastic way to share the love with your celiac and non-celiac friends. Completely customizable and fun for all!
3. Donate or Get Involved
Supporting the search for a cure for Celiac disease is important all days of the year, but let National Celiac Disease Awareness day be your reminder to give back to the community. A donation to the Celiac Disease Foundation helps fight for the over three-million Americans diagnosed with the disease. You can fight for a cure, fund research, etc. The foundation also always needs enthusiastic individuals to participate in research, and you can find clinics in your area to see if you qualify! Whatever direction you take, giving back will leave you with the satisfaction that you are helping others just like you work toward a common goal.
