… I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do! ~Edward Everett Hale
Perhaps you have Celiac, a gluten-sensitivity, or have a family member or friend who does. How can you help to make your life, and the lives of those you care about healthier and just a little more convenient? Certainly, you could make a donation to a Celiac Research Center (most are funded by private donations) so they can continue the important work they are doing, but there are also other ways of helping.
Following are a few suggestions to get you on your way:
1. Spread the Word! Don’t be embarrassed about your diagnosis. Have a dialog with your family members, including sharing your symptoms and if they are experiencing similar symptoms, suggest testing. Mention statistics of celiac disease in family members. Consider starting a blog to share what you have learned!
2. Contribute monetarily to a leading Celiac Disease Research Center or National Celiac Organization of your choice (see “Resources” for a list).
3. Contact a Celiac Research Center near you and request to participate in a research study – humans are needed! Click here to learn of other studies requesting participants.
4. Have a Fundraiser:
Think about doing something you are good at (i.e. cooking, a sports activity, arts & crafts), and coordinate a fundraiser. You can have it at your home, school, in a park, at a local restaurant or other business.
5. Purchase products from companies who support celiac research by donating a percentage of their proceeds. Following are just a few:
Enjoy Life Foods By George Glutino
6. Consider signing a food allergen petition – visit our page: http://celiaccorner.com/current-petitions-relating-to-food-allergens/
7. Contact your local Food Bank and ask if they stock gluten-free food, and if not educate and help them (this article will help)
8. Volunteer at your local support group meetings, and if you do not volunteer, try to at least attend to gain valuable information that you can then share with others. If you are a family member or friend of a Celiac, show your support by accompanying them.
9. When you visit a restaurant that doesn’t have a GF menu – politely suggest they consider adding one, or at a minimum, adding detailed allergen info to the menu. Also suggest they contact either the Gluten Intolerance Group to inquire about restaurant training: http://www.glutenfreerestaurants.org/ or the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness’ GREAT Kitchens (on-line available) Program: http://www.celiaclearning.com/
10. Contact and thank mainstream manufacturers who have added gluten-free products to their product line (preferably those that “certify” their GF products), so they will consider adding more.
In the interest of “convenience” …
11. Email or write to DUNKIN DONUTS and request they reconsider adding a safe, gluten-free bakery item. They did offer a few gluten-free products at select locations, but they have since stopped selling them. Finally, in October 2014, they started offering lactose-free Almond Milk!
12. Contact and thank STARBUCKS for offering lactose-free options & the few snacks that are gluten-free in the US, but suggest they consider offering the same, safe gluten-free options they are offering in Starbucks around the globe (GF bagels, buns!).
13. Contact DOMINOS and suggest they offer a gluten-free pizza that is actually safe for Celiacs (i.e. dedicated Gfree cooking area, proper training).
14. Contact SUBWAY and ask that they expand their gluten-free testing to a location near you!
15. Consider following Pharmaceutical companies currently conducting studies/trials: Visit HERE for a list.
16. Contact airports and suggest they add more vendors offering gluten-free menus, and more GF snack items at kiosks.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_airlines
17. Check out the following organizations which hold a variety of events (athletic & non-athletic) around the US to raise money and spread education and awareness of Celiac – perhaps there is something going on in your area!
– Kicking 4 Celiac: http://www.kicking4celiac.org/
– Celiac Disease Foundations’ Team Gluten Free: http://celiac.org/tgf/index.html
Karen Primrose
June 5, 2015 at 10:47 amI was diagnosed with Celiac Disease a good 7 years ago and since then have noticed how my sensitivity has increased and continues to increase. One thing I’ve noticed is that when I’ve mistakenly ingested or absorbed gluten, I don’t seem to absorb all of my medication. Has anyone else out there noticed this? Within 24-48 hours of ingestion, I start exhibiting symptoms indicating my medication isn’t working. Also, my daughter came for a visit with the grandkids and after they left, I became extremely sick with gluten symptoms. It was then that I realized there was gluten throughout my house from the kids eating foods containing gluten and then instead of washing their little hands, they went throughout my house spreading it around. I have wooden furniture which obviously can’t be replaced. Help! Anyone have any ideas how I can clean this? My daughter left 2 weeks ago and I’m still battling Celiac symptoms but feel too lousy to clean. It’s horrible. This is a shout out to all family and friends that come to visit. Celiac disease isn’t just a small boo-boo. mment *
GlutenFreeGal
August 2, 2014 at 11:22 pmBrilliant!! Thank you for this.
Nancy
July 30, 2014 at 11:23 pmWondering if anyone out there has any knowledge about the chaulk used in gyms for gymnastics and if it contains any gluten. My daughter is 7 1/2 and has been living healthily with celiac for almost 4 years. As far as I know (and I’m pretty much in control of what she eats) she has been eating 100% gluten free but has been complaining of stomach pains in her belly button area for the past few weeks. She has also been irritable and a bit fatigued as well. She’s a gymnast and is currently in the gym 7 hours a week. Trying to think thru everything to help her feel better so wondering if the chaulk in thr gym may be having an effect on her. Thanks for any insight you may have.
Paula
July 31, 2014 at 8:57 pmNancy, thank you for your comment. If there is gluten in chalk (I’ll need to research this) and it is used liberally in the gym, it could certainly be inhaled. Small amounts being inhaled occasionally probably wouldn’t cause issues, but as in your daughter’s case where she is in the gym frequently, it is possible the inhaled chalk is causing symptoms. Similar to someone with celiac working in a non GF bakery … no can do! I will email you directly to discuss this further. I’ve also posted your comment to our Facebook page for others to weigh in.
Celiac’s helping Celiac’s | Sweet Christine's Bakery
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Kathleen Parker
May 26, 2013 at 6:05 pmI was diagnosed with Celiac one week ago. I’ve been researching constantly for the past few days and have found this site to be invaluable. The information on this site has helped to calm many of my fears. I have become instantly passionate about this disease and plan to become actively involved with The Celiac Research Foundations in any way I can. As I begin my personal journey and implement the many new life style changes,
I hope to be able to help others that suffer from this disease, as I do. We all must care and share if we hope to one day find a cure for this life changing disease. I personally thank all those individuals who already give so much to help fight this disease and I look forward to getting involved and joining the fight to find more answers about Celiac. I wlll be starting a new blog about my new journey and hope you will find it helpful as well as informative. My blog will be simply, “Kathleen’s Journey”. Thanks, and my best to you all.
Paula
August 29, 2013 at 6:58 pmKathleen, thanks for visiting and for your kind comments about CeliacCorner. I’m happy our resource was of help to you. Good luck with your blog!
Kathy
September 20, 2011 at 10:02 pmHaving found out that someone in my family was diagnosed, you have helped me understand Celiac. Excellent Information! Thank you.
Paula
August 29, 2013 at 7:01 pmThank you for visiting Kathy, glad you now have a better understanding of Celiacl. Be sure to tell you family member diagnosed with Celiac to visit us as well!