A united celiac disease awareness campaign.
Celiac disease is a serious, genetic autoimmune disease.
May is Celiac/Coeliac Awareness Month in Canada, Europe and the United States, May 9-15 is Coeliac Awareness Week in the UK, and May 16 is internationally recognized as Celiac Awareness Day.
Building off of the past joint activities of 2020—where buildings across the globe “shone” green for awareness—celiac-related organizations around the world have come together to support shining a light on the seriousness of this disease in 2021. We’re lighting up landmarks in green for celiac awareness, we’re highlighting gluten-free food insecurity, we’re collecting and sharing stories, we’re shining a light on the need for more research and so much more!
This awareness campaign is a group effort between celiac disease organizations across the globe.
What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease (also referred to as celiac sprue, non-tropical sprue, and gluten-sensitive enteropathy) is a serious, genetic autoimmune disorder triggered by consuming a protein called gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye.
What happens when a person with celiac disease eats gluten?
When a person with celiac disease eats gluten, the immune system sees the protein as a threat and begins to attack it. The villi of the intestines, which are trying to digest the gluten, get damaged in the process. Damaged villi make it nearly impossible for the body to absorb nutrients, leading to malnourishment and a host of other problems including thyroid disease, osteoporosis, infertility and the onset of other autoimmune diseases.
Landmarks we’re lighting up for celiac disease awareness:
| Where | What | When | Who |
| Alberta | Calgary Tower | May 16 | Canadian Celiac Association |
| Boston | Boston Children’s Hospital (front wall) | May 16, 8 pm-10 pm | Celiac Disease Foundation |
| Boston | Burns bridge | May 16 | National Celiac Association |
| Boston | Fore River bridge | May 16 | National Celiac Association |
| Boston | Longfellow bridge | May 16 | National Celiac Association |
| Boston | Zakim bridge | May 16 | National Celiac Association |
| British Columbia | Vancouver City Hall | May 16 | Canadian Celiac Association |
| British Columbia | Port Moody City Hall | May 16 | Canadian Celiac Association |
| Edmonton | Epcor Tower | May 16 | Canadian Celiac Association |
| Edmonton | High Level Bridge | May 16 | Canadian Celiac Association |
| Minneapolis | Lowry Avenue Bridge | May 16 | Celiac Disease Foundation |
| Montreal | Olympic Stadium | May 16 | Coeliaque Québec |
| Nashville | Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge | May 15 | Celiac Disease Foundation |
| New York City | Helmsley Building | May 16 | Celiac Disease Foundation |
| Niagara | Niagara Falls | May 16, 9:45 pm | Canadian Celiac Association |
| Prince Edward Island | Charlottetown City Hall | May 16 | Canadian Celiac Association |
| Québec | Tour Jules-Dallaire | May 16 | Coeliaque Québec |
| Saskatoon | Prairie Wind at River Landing | May 16 | Canadian Celiac Association |
| Saskatoon | Sasktel Centre | May 16 | Canadian Celiac Association |
| St. John’s (NFLD) | Newfoundland Legislative Assembly | May 17 | Canadian Celiac Association |
| Toronto | CN Tower | May 16 | Canadian Celiac Association |
| Vancouver | BC Place | May 16 | Canadian Celiac Association |
| Vancouver | Science World | May 16 | Canadian Celiac Association |
Get Involved with Shine a Light on Celiac Disease
Visit
one of the landmarks while they’re lit up. Post photos on social media with the hashtag #ShineALightOnCeliac
Share
facts about celiac disease on social media. Remember to use the hashtag #ShineALightOnCeliac
Donate
to your chosen celiac disease foundation. Scroll to the bottom of this page for a list of participating orgs.
