FREE MAGAZINE SAMPLES!

Curious about the magazine Gluten-Free Living? Editor/Publisher Ann Whelan is offering free sample issues while supplies last. Here's the offer as posted at the international celiac disease mailing list:

The messages about Martha Stewart Living expanding into a specialized area, including food allergies, have been interesting. I've been in the magazine business for much of my career and have the greatest respect for Martha Stewart as a magazine editor and publisher.

I did want to make sure people know that my publication, Gluten-Free Living, is out there and has been for quite some time. We are the only publication that concentrates specifically on, as our name says, Gluten-Free Living. We have built our reputation covering every aspect of the gluten-free life, and we plan to continue doing just that.

Those of you who have subscribed for a while know we started many years ago as an eight-page black and white newsletter and now publish a four-color, national magazine. You also know we have been instrumental in correcting a lot of the misinformation that surrounds the gluten-free diet.

We have done this by seeking information the way a journalist would. We take nothing for granted. There is a saying in the journalism world that goes like this: "If your mother tells you, check it out!" And that's what we have been doing, checking things out relentlessly until we get to the bottom of the issues. Then we explain them to the best of our ability so readers, who still have to make their own decisions, make them with reliable information.

It has been an interesting journey and my primarily gluten-free staff and I have learned a lot along the way. We plan to continue on this specialized road and we are in the process of growing and expanding.

It sounds as if some of you are not familiar with Gluten-Free Living. To correct that, we'd like to offer a free sample issue to those who do not currently subscribe -- as long as supplies last. Send your mailing address to [gfliving2003 at yahoo dot com] and please indicate that you are responding to this message. We will get your sample copy into the mail as quickly as possible.

Best wishes,

Ann Whelan
Editor/Publisher
Gluten-Free Living

GLUTEN-FREE CALENDAR CONUNDRUM!

I recently read some emails on the international celiac listserv that helped me to understand why there seem to be at least two celiac disease awareness months.

Let's start with a message from Beth Hillson, president of the American Celiac Disease Alliance (ACDA), about May being Celiac Disease Awareness Month:

In response to the question about May as Celiac Awareness month -- the overwhelming majority of celiac organizations and all of the Celiac Research Centers in the United States recognize May as National Celiac Disease Awareness Month.

Internationally, the Association of European Coeliac Societies (AECS) recognizes Celiac Disease in May and celiac events are held throughout the world to raise awareness.
(The association represents 26 countries of the EU - including Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and UK)

The May observance in the United States was chosen to coincide with our international colleagues. It was also done in recognition of the many other medical conditions related to celiac disease that are observed in May. Celiac disease is still relatively unknown and being able to draw connections between these medical conditions and celiac disease helps to elevate its importance and enhance awareness. Some of the other May health observances include:

Digestive Diseases Awareness Month
Digestive Diseases Week
Food Allergy Awareness Month
Food Allergy Week
National Arthritis Month
National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month
Women's Health Week and Women's Health Check-up day

Organizations, Research Centers, and Companies supporting the May observance:

Celiac Disease Foundation
Gluten Intolerance Group
Westchester Celiac Sprue Support Group
American Celiac Disease Alliance
National Foundation for Celiac Awareness
University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research
University of Chicago Celiac Disease Program
Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University
Wm. K. Warren Celiac Disease Research Center UC San Diego
Bob & Ruth's Gluten-Free Dining & Travel Club
Ener-G Foods, Inc.
Enjoy Life BrandsT
Foods by George
Gluten-Free Living
GlutenFree PassportR
Glutino-USA
Kimball Genetics
Living Without
Pamela's Products
Prometheus Laboratories, Inc.
Savory Palate, Inc.

Its worth noting that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is extremely difficult for any condition, to compete for attention at that time. And since recognition and attention are key to raising awareness, May is a better fit.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (NY) introduced legislation in 2004, 2006, and again, this year (H.Con.Res. 70) which emphasizes the designation of May as National Celiac Disease Awareness Month. That legislation now has 29 cosponsors and more are expected once Congress returns later this month.

I hope this helps clarify why May is supported and endorsed as National Celiac Disease Awareness Month.

Before considering why others consider October to be Celiac Disease Awareness Month, let's pause to recognize Celiac Disease Awareness Day—September 13, the birthday of Samuel Gee, who is widely considered to be the "discoverer" of celiac disease.

As for October being Celiac Disease Awareness Month, that is basically the province of the Celiac Sprue Association (CSA) and the Canadian Celiac Association (CCA)—which is, nevertheless, having its national conference in May!

Of course, here at GFNYC, every day is Celiac Disease Awareness Day—and every month is Celiac Disease Awareness Month!