Celiac disease is a lifelong condition affecting as many as 1 in 200 people in North America. Yet, many remain undiagnosed, as many as three hundred thousand Canadians. (Canada.ca).
For the Canadian Celiac Association (CCA), it’s a stark reality they are trying to overcome. As a non-profit charity, they support people with celiac disease. They advocate on their behalf, and help people adjust to live a healthy life with it.
What do you know about the CCA?
Founded forty-seven years ago, the Canadian Celiac Association still goes strong today. It’s arguable that as more media cover the stories of people with celiac disease, more Canadians will turn to organizations like the CCA for resources.
But, did you know they also:
- Funded research at the University of Calgary
- Donated to the JA Campbell Research fund
In addition to their research interests, the CCA continues to advocate for people suffering from celiac disease to this day. People raise awareness about celiac disease every May across Canada. In other words, May is Celiac Awareness Month, a crucial time for the organization to increase transparency about the disease and people who live with it.
So what do you know about celiac disease and gluten intolerance?
From the CCA’s website, it says that Celiac Disease (CD) is a common disorder. It affects about 1% of the Canadian Population, but at least 80% of those individuals don’t know they have the disorder.
The symptoms are often digestive ones. For example, those with Celiac Disease can’t process a substance called gluten. Gluten, a group of protein present in wheat, rye, and barley, damage the body’s small intestines. This leads to a variety of symptoms. In the end, CD sufferers cannot absorb nutrients such as protein, fat, and vitamins, which are the foundation for good health.
Go Beyond the Gut: 2018 Campaign
Back in 2018, when we at Canadian Mattress Recycling first blogged about the CCA, their campaign formed around the hashtag #gobeyondthegut.
In their campaign, the Canadian Celiac Association raised awareness about the people suffering from the disease. They too also shared the less obvious symptoms. When Canadians tuned into their campaign, it made people more aware about how it may affect themselves and their loved ones. The campaign also featured people and their stories. These encouraging posts on social media helped reduce the stigma those suffering from it.
What’s in store for 2019?
Follow the Canadian Celiac Association on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date with the latest campaigns and events. Also take a look at the Vancouver Chapter of the CCA, for local opportunities to support those living with celiac disease.
Canadian Mattress Recycling Inc. is a proud supporter of community organizations. We truly believe in supporting the communities that support us, especially the ones working to improve Canadian’s health and foster community engagement. Read about the other organizations we have supported in the past. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more.
