Ambler, PA – April 30, 2018 – May is Celiac Awareness Month, and Beyond Celiac is commemorating it with a month-long campaign: #ItsTimetoCeliACT. The organization has created sharable content that will enable those diagnosed with celiac disease to be actively involved in raising awareness about this serious genetic autoimmune disease that affects an estimated 3 million Americans. The community will be invited to share, shop, support, and add their voice to drive research for treatments and a cure.

New content includes:

• Celiac Disease is a Monster video: This fast-paced and edgy animated video succinctly conveys the seriousness of celiac disease. Produced by Crosby Marketing Communications, the video captures the urgency and importance of patient-participation in research for treatments and a cure.
• Infographics, buttons, icons and more: The Celiac Awareness Month site at Beyond Celiac has loads of sharable content made easy.

“May and celiac disease awareness month gives us a great platform to increase engagement,” said Alice Bast, Beyond Celiac CEO. “Our community has demonstrated that when we speak up, we can be heard. The gluten-free diet has overshadowed the seriousness of celiac disease. We need more and we need better. When we all pull together, we can increase awareness about celiac disease and its challenges, that accurate diagnosis is vital and that we can drive research for treatments and a cure.”

Other Celiac Awareness Month Happenings:

Party City Celiac Disease Research Fundraising Campaign: This past January, Party City aired an insensitive commercial which poorly portrayed celiac disease and the gluten-free diet. After the celiac disease community erupted on social media, Party City acted quickly to discontinue the ad and to apologize. The party goods retailer also took the extra step to learn more about celiac disease and made donations to support celiac disease research. Now, they’re taking it a step further during Celiac Awareness Month with a register donation drive, the first national campaign of its type to support celiac disease research. Those shopping at Party City in May will be asked if they’d like to donate $1, $3 or $5 at checkout to support the cause.

Greater Philly Gluten-Free Expo: Beyond Celiac is a sponsor of the 3^rd Annual Greater Philly Gluten-Free Expo. 90+ local and national vendors will be on hand, with seminars, door prizes, samples, products for purchase and more. Admission for youth 12 and under is free with adult.

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About Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a serious, genetic, autoimmune disorder that affects an estimated 1 in 133 Americans, 83% of whom are still undiagnosed. The disease causes debilitating symptoms, and if left untreated, can lead to serious long-term health problems including infertility and some types of cancer.

Beyond Celiac:

A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Beyond Celiac envisions a world in which people with celiac disease can live healthy lives free from social stigma and fear of gluten exposure – A world Beyond Celiac.

Beyond Celiac unites with patients and partners to drive diagnosis, advance research and accelerate the discovery of new treatments and a cure.

Media Contact:

Claire Baker, Beyond Celiac, 267-419-2111, [email protected]

Kim Pacini, Beyond Celiac, 267-419-2103, [email protected]