The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness Kicks Off Celiac Awareness Month with “Pantry Raid” Promotion and Variety of Educational Initiatives
5/1/2012 |
AMBLER, PA (May 1, 2012) — Alice Bast, the Founder and President of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA), has issued a call to action. In recognition of National Celiac Awareness Month in May, her goal is to get consumers to empower themselves with information about celiac disease, log onto the foundation’s dedicated website (beyondceliac.org), learn more about celiac disease through its comprehensive archived library of articles and webinars, and complete the Celiac Disease Symptoms Checklist (doihaveceliac.org). Bast is passionate about educating Americans on celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, which has gained more widespread attention in the last several years. According to Bast, more education is needed on the lesser known signs of celiac disease and gluten-related disorders, including depression, migraines and fatigue. The disease, which affects one in every 133 Americans, has increased fourfold since the 1950s; however, 95% of those affected by celiac are undiagnosed. Since 2003, Bast has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about this disease and educate consumers, the healthcare community and food service industry to increase diagnoses and improve the quality of life for those on a life-long gluten-free diet. During May, NFCA is introducing a variety of initiatives, including a “Gluten-Free Pantry Raid.” This promotion is designed to help to ease the transition for newly diagnosed families who often struggle to adapt to the gluten-free lifestyle. The goal is to raise money for the Foundation’s important programs/services and produce an educational video that will assist in the transition to a gluten-free diet. Anyone making a donation of $20 or more to support the NFCA during Celiac Awareness Month will automatically be entered to win (eligibility rules may be found at beyondceliac.org/pantryraid.) The sweepstakes, which kicks off May 1 and runs through the end of the month, will award the first place winner a one-day pantry makeover with a personal visit by Alice Bast and a registered dietitian. Together with the winner, they will shop for gluten-free food, organize a safe and efficient gluten-free pantry, discuss tips on menu planning for a gluten-free lifestyle and advise on family friendly ways to avoid cross-contamination. (The total value is $2,500.) The second prize in the “Gluten-Free Pantry Raid” is a one-hour Skype cooking consultation with Dan Kohler, star of NFCA’s Alternative Appetites cooking series and a food aficionado who specializes in delicious gluten-free meals. During this private tutorial, Kohler will discuss menu options for a party of six. A gift basket (valued at $250) filled with a myriad of gluten-free goodies will be awarded to the 3rd and 4th place winners. Winners will be randomly selected from the pool of participants. Additional Initiatives
“NFCA’s Celiac Awareness Month initiatives are an excellent way for consumers to learn more about celiac disease and take action,” says Bast. “We provide a wide variety of informative, educational and fun ways to get the most up-to-date healthcare information and to learn more about the gluten-free diet. I also encourage parents to visit NFCA’s Kids Central at beyondceliac.org/kids for recipes and resources for gluten-free families.” # # # About the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) |