Your Ultimate Guide to Celiac Awareness Month: May 2012
May is Celiac Awareness Month!
Most Celiac organizations, Celiac Research Centers, & the Association of European Coeliac Societies, representing 26 European countries all recognize May as the official Celiac Awareness Month. In some years past, October has been recognized as Celiac Awareness Month, but most now recognize the month of May as the official date. If you prefer the October date, why not try to raise awareness both months?! Here are a few ways you can and here are a few ways you can help those around you become more aware of celiac disease and commemorate in a meaningful way.
Know the Stats
What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by the consumption of gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Three million Americans have celiac disease, yet 95% of those who have it are undiagnosed. (From National Foundation for Celiac Awareness) You may read numbers from 1 in 133 Americans have celiac anywhere to 1 in 100. Know the symptoms of facts.
Learn more:
Tune in to a Live Chat
National Foundation for Celiac Awareness is hosting the State of the Union: a Live Chat with Experts on Gluten-Related Disorders
Top experts break down the latest research into simple terms and need-to-know pointers.
When: Thursday, May 3, 2012
Time: 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT
Where: Your computer
Register: Visit the Event Page
Attend a Celiac/Gluten Free Baseball Night
Celiac Disease Awareness Night with the NY Mets
Friday, May 27 @ 7:10 p.m.
New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies
“Kick off your Memorial Day Weekend with a baseball game at Citifield. Enjoy gluten-free food and beer while watching the NY Mets play the Philadelphia Phillies.”
- Sit together with fellow members, friends and family in our Left Field Landing & Promenade Reserved seating.
- All participants will receive a Mets Ticket Holder and Lanyard (with advance purchase through this offer).
- A portion of each ticket purchased through your promo code (CELIAC) will directly benefit R.O.C.K. Long Island and the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA)!
To buy your tickets visit: www.mets.com/celiac
Celiac Awareness Night with the Arizona Diamondbacks
Friday May 25, 2012 at 6:40 pm
Gluten Free and Celiac Awareness Night with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday May 25, 2012 at 6:40 pm. The Udi’s Gluten Free sponsored pre-game party will be taking place from 4-5:30 pm at Coach and Willies, which is a short walk to Chase Field. With many local and nationwide gluten free vendors sampling and selling their amazing products, gluten free cash bar, raffles and even the opportunity to win upgraded seats to the game, this is going to be a party you don’t want to miss!
You are invited to the FREE Arizona Diamondbacks Gluten-Free and Celiac Awareness Night Pre-Game Party at Coach & Willies!
Tons of gluten-free giveaways! Local and nationwide gluten-free goodies to sample for FREE!
We will have a raffle, DJ and an opportunity to upgrade your tickets for the game!
Friday May 25th vs. the Milwaukee Brewers (they have wheat in their logo!)
First pitch is 6:40pm!
Discounted tickets are available for this game and include entry to the party!
A portion of the proceeds will be split between;
- Celiac Disease Foundation
- Celiac Sprue Association
- Gluten Intolerance Group
- National Foundation for Celiac Awareness
For DISCOUNTED tickets to the game use promo code celiac and click HERE
Join a Celiac Walk, Volunteer or Sponsor a Walker
Center for Celiac Research, University of Maryland sponsors many walk/run opportunities in their general region of the US. If you don’t walk or run, volunteer to help at one! (Most of these have online registration available)
Arlington, VA
Sunday, May 6, 2012
5K Fun Run/Walk
Check-in & Registration begins at 8:30am
Fun Run/Walk kicks off at 9:30am
Bluemont Park, 329 N. Manchester Street, Arlington, VA 22203
Baltimore, Maryland
Sunday, May 20, 2012
5K Walk/Run & 10K Run • Gluten-Free Vendor Fair • Silent Auction
NEW LOCATION! University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
University Center, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250
Registration begins at 8:00am
Races begin at 9:00am (USAT&F CERTIFIED)
Vendor Fair opens at 9:00am
Registration, Vendor Fair and post-event activities will be held inside the University Center, 3rd floor ballroom
Buffalo, NY
Saturday, May 12, 2012
1.5 or 3 mile walk conducted by the WNY Gluten Free Diet Support Group, Inc.
Clarence Town Park
10405 Main Street
Registration begins at 9:30am
Walk begins at 10:30am
REGISTRATION FEES:
Adult $15
Child $5 (age 5 to 12)
Under 5 are free
Free Walk T-shirt to the first 200 participants who pay the registration fee online OR who register with a minimum of $15 in donations.
Long Island, NY
Sunday, June 10, 2012
5K Walk/Run
Craig Pinto, from the Kicking 4 Celiac Foundation, has teamed up with the Center for Celiac Research to bring a Making Tracks for Celiacs to Long Island, NY!
Registration begins at 8:00am
Race begins at 9:00am
Theodore Roosevelt Park
Oyster Bay, NY
REGISTRATION FEES:
by June 1st
5K Walk/Run $30 (13 & up), $15 (under 13)
Race day registration
5K Walk/Run $35 (13 & up), $20 (under 13)
Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Registration begins at 7:45am
5K Run begins at 8:55am
2 Mile Walk begins at 9:00am
Gluten-Free Food Expo begins at 9:30am
FOOD FAIR…MUSIC…KIDS EVENTS…PRIZES
Holy Family Catholic High School, 8101 Kochia Lane, Victoria, MN
Syracuse, NY
Saturday, May 12, 2012
1 Mile Walk & 5K Cross Country Run
at Jamesville Beach Park
Registration begins at 10:00am
Walk & Run begins at 11:00am
Tri-County, MI
Sunday, May 20, 2012
5K Walk/Run and Silent Auction
Registration/Check-in begins at 8:00am
Run begins at 9:00am
Walk begins at 9:30am
**Gluten free food and refreshments will be served following the event**
REGISTRATION FEES:
$20 if pre-registered by May 7th, $5 for children under 10 [includes a t-shirt]
$30 event day registration [does not guarantee a t-shirt]
Win a Free Meal at Beau Jo’s in Colorado
All Beau Jo’s locations in Colorado will be giving away two free meals on the first and third Wednesday in the month of May care of The Gluten Free Bistro. Get more information here.
Attend the Gluten/Allergen Free Expo in Charleston South Carolina
Reasonably priced event with speakers, 70 gluten free vendors with products for you to try.
May 5
Check out all the details here.
Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery Spread the Bread Campaign
To help spread the love, and the bread, visit the Rudi’s Gluten-Free Facebook page and click on the Spread the Bread campaign to get $1 donated to one of four organizations that support celiac education and awareness. You can choose from the Celiac Disease Foundation, Celiac Sprue Association, Gluten Intolerance Group or the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness to help these amazing groups continue to support the celiac community. Plus, you’ll get a $1 coupon to use on your next Rudi’s Gluten-Free product purchase. It’s as easy at Get a $1. Give a $1
Encourage Friends & Family to Take the Gluten Free Challenge
You are invited to take the Gluten-Free Challenge – live one weekend gluten free: May 21-22, 2012. All who register and complete the challenge will receive a certificate. The Gluten-Free Challenge is a joint project of: Gluten Intolerance Group of North America and Pamela’s Products.
Go to www.gogfchallenge.com to sign up.
Connect with them on Facebook us at The Gluten-Free Challenge
Buy and Wear Celiac Awareness Stuff
Zazzle.com has over 600 Celiac Awareness shirts, hats, mugs, buttons, tote bags, aprons, bumper stickers, etc. Buy something and wear it or pass it on to a loved one.
CFCR Wristbands & Magnets Raises Awareness and Funds for Celiac Disease Research
Over 40,000 Celiac Disease Awareness Bracelets have been sold!!
The Center for Celiac Research is selling celiac awareness bracelets (like the Lance Armstrong LiveStrong wristbands) in children and adult sizes for $2.00 each, as well as celiac awareness magnets for $3.00 each, to raise funds for celiac research and to continue their efforts in increasing the awareness of celiac disease.
The magnets are another great way to increase the awareness of celiac disease. They can be displayed on your car, refrigerator, file cabinet and/or given to your doctor to remind him/her of the celiac disease diagnosis. The magnets have the Center for Celiac Research website imprinted on them, so the doctor can easily access our information quickly.
Please continue to spread the word about the bracelets – they are making a difference! Please remember to order a bracelet and magnet for your friends, relatives and colleagues. Children and teenagers love these bracelets and magnets!!!!
Buy and Share Books about Celiac
There are many great books about celiac disease, but there are 2 specifically that I would highly recommend for giving away.
The Gluten Effect, by Drs. Vikki & Richard Petersen
The Petersen’s recommend that you buy a copy of this book for yourself and one for your doctor. Sounds like a great idea to me! I can’t tell you how many different types of doctors I have visited who have said that I have taught them something about gluten sensitivity/intolerance that they didn’t know. This comprehensive guide is great for you and your doctor or library!
Mommy, What is Celiac Disease, by Katie Chalmers
I love this little book written for children, but great for relatives, neighbors, classmates, church classrooms, school classrooms and libraries, pediatrician’s waiting rooms, etc. It’s an upbeat look at a celiac diagnosis for a child with just enough medical information to clearly explain, yet not so much that children will not be able to face their new life as an adventure with optimism. Cute illustrations.
Know of any more great Celiac Awareness Events in May?
Please add them below!
I love wearing awareness wristbands! Check out these bracelets!
http://ccglutenfreed.com/bracelets/
I made them to promote my blog but they also say “OWN IT” on them to remind people to take ownership over their health. Whenever I feel shy/weird/frustrated/uncomfortable with a gluten-related situation, the bracelet reminds me to own it
Love your site btw
Thank you for helping spread the awareness! I’ve been GF for ten years now and it’s gotten SOOO much easier to live a normal life!
Would have loved to have gone to the Mets outsing, but apparently this post currently contains last year’s information. There was a Celiac outing for ROCK (Raising Our Celiac Kids) this past Friday, May 4 at Citi Field but we missed it. If there is something coming up with the Mets, please re-post correct dates.