Mission: Celiac Disease Foundation drives early diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease through advocacy, education and advancing research to improve the quality of life for all people affected by gluten-related disorders.
Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) was established in 1990 by Elaine Monarch to support the celiac disease community by funding important advocacy, education and research initiatives. Today, under the guidance of a National Board of Directors and a distinguished Medical Advisory Board, the Foundation is globally recognized with a nationwide network of chapters and support groups and full-time staff in Los Angeles, California. From sponsoring the first serology workshop that led to today’s celiac disease blood test, supporting clinical research, advocating on Capitol Hill for gluten-free labeling laws, partnering with mainstream manufacturers in creating today’s gluten-free marketplace, to offering the number one website for celiac disease, CDF has played a crucial role in improving the lives of those with celiac disease and their loved ones.
CDF is a founding member of the American Celiac Disease Alliance (ACDA) and is actively involved with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), NIH Celiac Disease Awareness Program, National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) and the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), in the promotion of celiac disease and other gluten-related disorder concerns.
Target demographics: people with celiac disease and gluten-related disorders, their caregivers and loved ones
Direct beneficiaries per year: 4 million people become educated about celiac disease and empowered to take charge of their health by demanding diagnosis and expecting a cure
Geographic areas served: the United States and throughout the world
Programs: innovative tools to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders: a Symptoms & Conditions Checklist (celiac.org/symptoms) designed to facilitate communication between patients and their healthcare practitioners, a nationwide directory of practitioners (celiac.org/directory) specializing in celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders, who can review checklist results to determine a patient care plan, and a 7 Day Gluten-Free Meal Plan (celiac.org/mealplan) to help the newly diagnosed and their families ease the transition to a gluten-free diet, the nation's largest annual patient education conference and Gluten-Free Expo, national and local advocacy for expanded investment in research, education and FDA gluten-free labeling rules, Chapters and Support Groups to provide community-based education and support, and research initiatives to support the diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease.
This organization far exceeds my expectations. It has been a lifeline since 1990 when I became a member-- providing me valuable resources by phone and in newsletter form at a time before most medical doctors didn't understand the condition, testing was non-existent or limited and food labeling poor. I have attended several annual symposiums and the caliber of the event, the speakers, and the information is remarkable, plus we get to have safe gluten-free foods to explore- something that is both time consuming and expensive if I had to seek this information out on my own. Please consider supporting this gold-standard organization.
I love CDF's website. It is full of wonderful information for those who need information on the gluten free diet along with information on celiacs disease. I have learned a lot from them. They are a great credible source among lots of opinions on the internet.
Jo__22
Professional with expertise in this field
02/10/2014
Rating: 1
02/10/2014
I'm disappointed in the Celiac Disease Foundation. As a diagnosed Celiac myself, and as a non-profit executive for many years, I am well versed in both this disease and the proper conduct of non-profits, particularly in the area of conflict of interest. This charity is funded by General Mills, a company well known in the Celiac community to offer "gluten-free" food substitutions for persons with gluten sensitivities. However, the foods that General Mills manufacturers offer little in the way of nutrition, and may actually harm persons with nutritional deficiencies by creating the false sense that the "gluten free" foods that they advertise are "healthy" for Celiacs, when in fact, they are not. As a result of the funding relationship with the CDF, this foundation is pushing these unhealthy foods on the Celiac community through online advertising and showcasing these foods at their annual Expo. It is irresponsible for the foundation, as advocates in this community, to allow General Mills, and its subsidiaries, access to our community and our good will in this way. By promoting unhealthy, junk foods that are high in sugar and highly processed fats, the CDF is harming the Celiac community.
Thank you for your comments. Celiac Disease Foundation deeply appreciates the support of General Mills for CDF's programs of advocacy, education and advancing research for the treatment of celiac disease. While General Mill's contributions comprise less than 5% of CDF's annual budget, they directly support celiac.org, a website viewed by more than 4 million users each year who utilize the Symptoms Checklist (celiac.org/symptoms), the Healthcare Practitioner Directory (celiac.org/directory) and the 7 Day Kickstart Meal Plan (celiac.org/mealplan). We encourage you to lend your expertise in development policy to benefit all people with celiac disease or other gluten-related disorders. Please contact me at marilyn.geller@celiac.org.
marilyn.geller 10/30/2014
Thank you for your comments. Celiac Disease Foundation deeply appreciates the support of General Mills for CDF's programs of advocacy, education and advancing research for the treatment of celiac disease. While General Mill's contributions comprise less than 5% of CDF's annual budget, they directly support celiac.org, a website viewed by more than 4 million users each year who utilize the Symptoms Checklist (celiac.org/symptoms), the Healthcare Practitioner Directory (celiac.org/directory) and the 7 Day Kickstart Meal Plan (celiac.org/mealplan). We encourage you to lend your expertise in development policy to benefit all people with celiac disease or other gluten-related disorders. Please contact me at marilyn.geller@celiac.org.