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Letter from Alice: A Call for Community Action
Despite its prevalence and seriousness, celiac disease continues to confound many around the world. It remains misunderstood, misdiagnosed, mistreated, and without a cure.
Last year, Beyond Celiac unveiled the first nationwide benchmark report on celiac disease. Shockingly, it revealed that only half of Americans are knowledgeable about celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Earlier this year, we once again collaborated with The Harris Poll, a market research company tracking American thoughts and attitudes since 1963, to conduct another nationwide survey. This survey unearthed additional eye-opening statistics that you will find in our new report, including that 28% of Americans assume that people who eat gluten-free are just trying to get attention.
Although celiac disease awareness has made significant strides since the inception of our organization in 2003, there is obviously still work to be done. Our vision is a world where individuals with celiac disease can lead healthy lives, free from social stigma and the fear of gluten exposure.
It is time for change. It is time to find a cure. Beyond Celiac is actively working to drive treatments that will lead to a cure by 2030. You can help by spreading awareness, following and sharing our social posts, joining our patient registry, donating to research, and participating in clinical trials and non-clinical celiac studies.
We understand the frustration those who experience symptoms but lack a diagnosis face. We empathize with the 3.2 million Americans who live with celiac disease. I understand because I, too, have celiac disease. After visiting 22 doctors without answers, it was only when a veterinarian friend suggested celiac disease that I approached the 23rd doctor, requested a blood test, and finally received a diagnosis. I still find it difficult to eat without fear. This personal journey fuels my passion and mission to accelerate the quest for a cure by 2030.
Let us come together as a community and commit ourselves to unraveling the mystery surrounding celiac disease. Take some time today to read through our new report, The Persisting Myths About Celiac Disease: Americans’ Attitudes and Understanding Are Falling Short, and spread some awareness about this serious autoimmune disease.
Let us all commit to solving the mystery and to creating a future beyond celiac disease! The key ingredients are you and your family members. Please make an investment today.
Together for a cure,
Alice Bast
CEO
