April 2026 Newsletter: Resources for spring activities and gluten-free events

People check in at a registration table covered with numbered badges at a formal event. Attendees are dressed in business or semi-formal attire inside a spacious, well-lit venue.

Connect with Community

Image at left from 2025 Evening Beyond Celiac. Join us at 2026 Evening Beyond Celiac honoring founder Alice Bast and board chair Alan Ehrlich, M.D.!

Gluten-free spring survival guide, with tips and recipes for holidays in April and May.
Spring events to benefit our community; including our Evening Beyond Celiac gala honoring founder Alice Bast and a series of Celiac Disease Awareness baseball games with major MLB teams, including the Yankees and Cubs!
Beyond Celiac welcomed Turner Jenkins to lead the Beyond Celiac Investments program and accelerate the development of treatments and potential cures for celiac disease.
Keep your child with celiac safe on field trips with a new resource in the Jones Dairy Farm Caregiver’s Corner.

News & Updates

Gluten-Free Spring Survival Guide

Spring means increased temperatures and the return of flowers and life outside for many of us. It also means holidays such as Easter, Passover, Mothers Day and Cinco De Mayo (and of course, Celiac Awareness Month is May!). We’ve compiled a list of safe, gluten-free food and candy ideas so you can enjoy the season.

Gluten-Free Events

Want to connect with the celiac and gluten-free community? Check out our list of gluten-free events in the United States, including flagship events like:

Evening Beyond Celiac—Join us at our annual gala to recognize Alice Bast with a special Founder’s Award and board chair Alan Ehrlich, M.D. as IMPACT Honoree, both for exceptional leadership and remarkable contributions to the Beyond Celiac community.
Strike Out Celiac—Support celiac disease research by cheering on your favorite baseball team during May, Celiac Awareness Month! When you purchase tickets through our link, each team donates a portion of the proceeds to our community.

Want to add your gluten-free event? Email Valerie at [email protected].

Turner Jenkins Appointed Managing Director of Beyond Celiac Investments

In this role, Jenkins will closely collaborate with Beyond Celiac Chief Medical Officer Jordan Dubow, MD, to lead our venture philanthropy program and determine investment strategies that will ultimately accelerate treatments and potential cures for celiac disease while delivering measurable impact for patients and families.

Scholarships for Students with Celiac Disease

Celiac College Guide is offering two $1,000 scholarships to students in the United States with celiac disease who are enrolling in a university this fall. These awards recognize personal growth, leadership, and efforts to improve awareness, safety, and access within the celiac disease community. Students may apply for one or both scholarships. The deadline is April 18.

Gluten-Free Recipes

Cape Town Salmon with Spinach, Sundried Tomato and Feta Cheese

Enjoy this wonderfully rich sauce with your choice of protein, salmon, chicken, or pork.

Almond Cake

Want to bring something sweet to your upcoming holiday get-together? This almond cake is naturally gluten-free, with no leavening, no extracts, and can easily be made dairy-free for Passover.

Trivia Question of the Month

Question

Babies born in which season have a slightly increased risk of developing celiac disease?

Answer

Various studies (most recently the long-term TEDDY study, including sites in the USA, Germany, Sweden, and Finland) found that babies born in the summer had a slightly increased risk of developing celiac disease. Babies born in winter were the least likely to develop celiac disease, though the difference in risk among all seasons was small.

Most studies on the topic were done in the northern hemisphere, so summer corresponded to the months of June, July, and August.

Caregiver’s Corner

For most kids, field trips are fun, educational experiences outside school grounds. However, this change in routine can be concerning for children with celiac disease and their guardian(s). Give our Celiac Disease Safety on Field Trips to the student’s teacher to start the conversation about ensuring their health off-campus.

Caregiver’s Corner is proudly sponsored by Jones Dairy Farm, maker of certified GF, all-natural sausage & naturally smoked meats.

Research News

Half of People Managing Gluten-Free Diet Feel Socially Isolated, Survey Shows

Results from a Beyond Celiac survey suggest that those who manage a gluten-free diet (GFD) find it mentally draining and socially isolating. More than half of respondents report feeling isolated or excluded in social settings, and the majority of respondents report sacrificing attending social events to avoid gluten.

Research Opportunities

AVALON

*Intended for a US audience*
AVALON is a phase 1 clinical trial assessing the investigational drug VTP-1000 in adults with celiac disease. This investigational targeted immunotherapy is designed to prevent or reduce symptoms from accidental gluten exposure by promoting tolerance to gluten.

18–65 years old
Celiac disease confirmed by biopsy within the past 10 years
Have been on a gluten-free diet for 12+ months

Additional criteria apply, and compensation for your time and travel may be available. Learn more at beyondceliac.org/avalon.

DAISY Study

*Intended for a US audience*
Tired of dealing with celiac? We are seeking volunteers living with celiac disease to join the DAISY clinical research study to help us further develop our knowledge of celiac disease and discover a potential new medication option.

By joining the DAISY Study, you may receive:

study-required investigational medication at no cost
study-related care at no cost
reimbursement for study-related travel expenses.

Health insurance is not required to take part. Are you eligible? Learn More

Voices of Celiac: Christine’s Story

“The most significant lead to diagnosis was asking my doctor if it was true that crunching on ice was a sign of mineral deficiency. My then-six-year-old chimed in that I often had two cups of ice. That’s when the doctor disappeared briefly, then returned with a questionnaire. One of the questions was, ‘do you get easily irritated?’”