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US Senate Designates September 13th as National Celiac Awareness Day

September 12, 2012

US Senate Designates September 13th as National Celiac Awareness Day

National Foundation for Celiac Awareness celebrates with gluten-free fundraiser in NYC and nationwide sweepstakes announcement.

Celiac Awareness - 1 in 133

The United States Senate has once again designated September 13th as “National Celiac Awareness Day.” According to the resolution, the Senate “recognizes that all people of the United States should become more informed and aware of celiac disease” and encourages all Americans to participate in activities that celebrate this day.

Why September 13th, you ask? The 13th is the birthday of Samuel Gee, a pediatrician who published the first complete clinical description of celiac disease in 1888. Gee was the first to recognize that the symptoms of celiac disease are related to diet.

Celiac disease affects an estimated 3 million Americans, 85% of whom remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

To celebrate the day, the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) will announce the Grand Prize winner of the first-ever Gluten-Free Pantry Raid sweepstakes. The winner will participate in a gluten-free shopping spree that will be filmed for an educational video about shopping for gluten-free products on a budget.Chef Jehangir Mehta

NFCA will also celebrate with a special gluten-free dinner and fundraiser at Mehtaphor in New York City. Mehtaphor’s owner, Chef Jehangir Mehta, was a finalist in Season 2 of the Food Network’s “Next Iron Chef” and will return for redemption in Season 7, premiering this November. Chef Mehta is a chef ambassador for GREAT Kitchens, NFCA’s gluten-free foodservice training program. NFCA encourages all gluten-free fans in the New York metro area to attend the gluten-free dinner in support of Celiac Awareness Day.

Those who cannot attend the dinner can celebrate by talking to friends and family about celiac disease. Share the Celiac Disease Symptoms Checklist and tell them about the gluten-free diet.

In addition, fans can vote for NFCA Founder & President Alice Bast in the Health Hero Challenge, a contest that recognizes leaders in health and wellness. This is an exciting opportunity that puts celiac disease in the spotlight – perfect timing for Celiac Awareness Day!

Voting is permitted once daily on the Be Well Philly Facebook page until Monday, September 17.

Tell us on Facebook! How will you celebrate Celiac Awareness Day?

Think you may have celiac disease?

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