Hi everyone,

As a lot of you are probably hearing for the first time (because I'm scared to say it out loud), I'm running the NYC Marathon (Nov. 4) for charity this year. I'm raising money for the Celiac Disease Foundation, which is a cause near and dear to both my heart and gut. 

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects approximately 1 out of every 133 Americans, including me.  We all know math isn't my strong suit, but the scientists tell me that adds up to 3 million people in this country. It's the most prevalent genetic autoimmune disorder in the world, yet upwards of 90% of those who have it remain undiagnosed. 

People with celiac disease cannot ingest gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye). When gluten is consumed by a person with celiac, the immune system responds by attacking the small intestine and blocking the absorption of important nutrients. Undiagnosed and untreated, celiac can lead to the development of other autoimmune disorders, osteoporosis, neurological complications, infertility, and heighten risk for certain cancers. Celiac can be asymptomatic, but many of its symptoms (no fun, but I'll spare you the details) are also common to other health disorders, which can make it difficult to diagnose.

I was sick, malnourished, anemic and generally cranky for several years before a blood panel confirmed my celiac disease in October, 2009. Now, courtesy of a gluten free diet, I feel great! Totally ready to run 26.2 miles at a moderate pace! My own experiences with celiac (including friends who were diagnosed shortly before and after I was) have convinced me that more research is necessary to prevent people from suffering needlessly and/or involuntarily poisoning themselves as their condition remains undetected. You can assist by donating to my Crowdrise fundraiser.  Absolutely ANYTHING helps toward my goal of $2,500 and I can't tell you how much your support - both financial and emotional in this endeavor and otherwise - means to me. 

If you're not into the whole online donation thing, cash or checks are also very welcome and can be logged on Crowdrise by me.

Thank you all so much!

Ashley

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Since its inception in 1990, Celiac Disease Foundation has been at the forefront of Celiac disease education, information, awareness, advocacy and support services to both the lay as well as the health professional communities. Charting a territory not ventured by any other official Celiac disease organization, CDF was instrumental in bringing attention to the disease at a time when the word Celiac, much less knowledge about it, was far from most people's consciousness. In the two decades since, CDF stands as the "go to" resource organization for anything and everything Celiac.

Click here to visit our official website.