Beyond Celiac Can Help You

OUR IMPACT

Our Impact on Celiac Disease

Beyond Celiac was founded as the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) in 2003 as the first patient advocacy group dedicated to improving the environment in order to drive diagnosis from a mere 3% and help people access the only medicine available for celiac disease: gluten-free food.

Today, Beyond Celiac serves the 21 million Americans requiring a gluten-free diet as the only treatment for celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (‘gluten sensitivity’). Through our Celiac Disease Symptoms Checklist and Talk. Tell. Test. campaign, we have increased the diagnosis rate sixfold. Gluten-free food is now available in every supermarket, convenience store and gas station across the United States. Our aggressive research agenda advances pathways toward a cure for celiac disease, which many experts believe is possible within just ten years.

Since 2003, Beyond Celiac has worked to advance the field of celiac disease. Our results speak for themselves:

2019
  • 1st Step Beyond Celiac 5K Event in Philadelphia
2018
  • Beyond Celiac celebrates its 15th Anniversary
2017
  • 1st Annual Beyond Celiac Research Symposium
  • 1st Step Beyond Celiac 5K Event in Kansas City
2016
  • Beyond Celiac offers grant to screen at-risk relatives in NC
  • Team members present at the prestigious Standford MedX conference
  • Launched #60ForCeliac campaign to show what it's like to live with celiac disease
  • Trained 630 foodservice professionals in safe gluten-free cooking
2015
  • NFCA launches first national family testing campaign, Seriously Celiac Disease: Talk Tell Test
  • NFCA hosts Research Summit to drive innovation and collaboration among researchers
  • NFCA becomes Beyond Celiac
  • The new Beyond Celiac website is launched
2014
  • NFCA becomes top resource for understanding the FDA gluten-free food labeling law
  • NFCA studies barriers to celiac disease testing in at-risk family members
  • NFCA launches the GREAT Schools, Colleges & Camps training program
2013
  • NFCA formally supports the Gluten in Medicine Disclosure Act
  • NFCA endorses the Gluten-Free Certification Program (GFCP)
2012
  • beyondceliac.org surpasses 1 million visitors
  • NFCA participates in program to gather signatures to push gluten-free food labeling laws through the FDA
  • NFCA distributes survey on celiac disease and fertility
2011
  • NFCA participates in “1 in 133” lobbying event in DC to push gluten-free labeling standards
  • Alice Bast receives the Philadelphia Award'
  • FDA grant to study gluten in medications awarded to NFCA
2010
  • NFCA produces first Gluten-Free Pavilion at National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show
  • beyondceliac.org rated as one of “10 Great Website with Accurate Information”
  • beyondceliac.org ranked “#1 Resource for Celiac Facts”
  • NFCA launches initiative focused on celiac disease and women’s health
2009
  • NFCA launches first of its kind GREAT Healthcare programs
  • NFCA launches CME for primary care providers
2008
  • First Appetite for Awareness event held in Philadelphia
  • NFCA creates continuing education programming for pharmacists
  • NFCA hosted two Gluten in Medications Educational Session events
  • NFCA begins free monthly webinars
  • NFCA launches GREAT Kitchens to train restaurants in safe gluten-free food preparation
2007
  • First Gluten-Free Cooking Spree is held
  • Alice Bast joins Alliance for a Stronger FDA
  • Alice Bast becomes member of the FDA panel on food labeling
2006
  • First ever campaign to raise public awareness of celiac disease launches
  • NFCA launches the first Celiac Disease Symptoms Checklist
  • NFCA educates community on food labeling laws in the absence of a gluten-free food labeling law
  • New web section created to help the community voice their opinion on gluten-free food labeling
2005
  • NFCA submits letter to the FDA highlighting the need for consistent gluten-free food labeling
2003
  • Alice Bast founds the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA)

Fast Facts About Celiac Disease VIEW ALL

An estimated 1 in 133 Americans, or about 1% of the population, has celiac disease.
Celiac disease is a serious genetic autoimmune disease that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food.
It is estimated that 83% of Americans who have celiac disease are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions.
6-10 years is the average time a person waits to be correctly diagnosed. (Source: Daniel Leffler, MD, MS, The Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center)
5-22% of people with celiac disease have an immediate family member (first degree relative) who also has celiac disease.
There are no pharmaceutical treatments or cures for celiac disease.