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A united celiac disease awareness campaign.

May is Celiac/Coeliac Awareness Month, May 8-14 is Coeliac Awareness Week in the UK, and May 16 is internationally recognized as Celiac Awareness Day.

Building off of past joint activities from 2020, ’21 and ’22, celiac disease organizations around the world have come together to support shining a light on the seriousness of this disease in 2023. We’re lighting up landmarks in green to raise awareness of celiac disease, gluten-free food insecurity, the need for more research and so much more!

What is celiac disease?

Celiac disease (sometimes called celiac sprue, non-tropical sprue, or gluten-sensitive enteropathy) is a serious, autoimmune condition triggered by consuming a protein called gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye. When a person with celiac disease eats gluten, the immune system begins to attack the villi of the intestines. Damaged villi (see photo at left) make it nearly impossible for the body to absorb nutrients, which can lead to malnourishment and a host of other issues including osteoporosis, infertility and the onset of other autoimmune diseases.

Landmarks we’re lighting up for celiac disease in 2023

Brazil

CityLandmarkDateCourtesy of
Foz do IguaçuUsina de ItaipuMay 16Movimento Celíacos do Brasil
Rio de JaneiroCristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer statue)May 16Movimento Celíacos do Brasil
São PauloCentro Cultural FIESPMay 16Movimento Celíacos do Brasil
São PauloShopping LightMay 16Movimento Celíacos do Brasil

Canada

CityLandmarkDateCourtesy of
Airdrie, ABAirdrie City HallMay 16Celiac Canada
Calgary, ABCalgary TowerMay 16Celiac Canada
Calgary, ABReconciliation BridgeMay 16Celiac Canada
Calgary ABTelus SparkMay 16Celiac Canada
Charlottetown, PEICharlottetown City HallMay 16Celiac Canada
Dieppe, NBDieppe City HallMay 16Celiac Canada
Edmonton, ABEpcor TowerMay 16Celiac Canada
Edmonton, ABFairmont HotelMay 16Celiac Canada
Edmonton, ABHigh Level BridgeMay 16Celiac Canada
Edmonton, ABLegislature BuildingMay 16Celiac Canada
Lethbridge, ABLethbridge City HallMay 16Celiac Canada
Medicine Hat, ABMedicine Hat TeePeeMay 16Celiac Canada
Montreal, QCOlympic stadiumMay 16Coeliaque Québec
Ottawa, ONOttawa Sign at ByWard MarketMay 15Celiac Canada
Port Moody, BCPort Moody City HallMay 16Celiac Canada
Sainte-Foy, QCComplexe Jules DallaireMay 16Coeliaque Québec
Sherwood Park, ABCommunity CentreMay 16Celiac Canada
St. John’s, NLGovernment HouseMay 16Celiac Canada
Surry, BCCivic PlazaMay 15Celiac Canada
Toronto, ONToronto SignMay 16Celiac Canada
White Rock, BCPierMay 16Celiac Canada
Winnipeg, MBManitoba Legislative BuildingMay 16Celiac Canada
Winnipeg, MBWinnipeg Sign at the ForksMay 16Celiac Canada

Georgia

CityLandmarkDateCourtesy of
TbilisiTbilisi TV towerMay 16Georgian National Celiac Association

Lebanon

CityLandmarkDateCourtesy of
BeirutRawche rock at Ramly el BayduMay 20thN. Kmeidd

United States

CityLandmarkDateCourtesy of
Boston, MALongfellow BridgeMay 16National Celiac Association
Boston, MATavern on the Square (120 Beverly St.)May 16National Celiac Association
Boston, MAZakim BridgeMay 16National Celiac Association
Camden, NJBenjamin Franklin BridgeMay 16Beyond Celiac
Houston, TXMontrose BridgeMay 16National Celiac Association
Minneapolis,
MN
Lowry Ave BridgeMay 16National Celiac Association
Nashville, TNKorean Veterans Memorial BridgeMay 16National Celiac Association Tennessee Chapter with Vanderbilt Celiac Center
Niagara FallsNiagara FallsMay 16 at 10:30 pmBeyond Celiac
Orlando, FLThe Wheel at ICON ParkMay 16National Celiac Association
Philadelphia, PABenjamin Franklin BridgeMay 16Beyond Celiac
Quincy, MAFore River BridgeMay 16National Celiac Association
Sacramento, CABonn Lair Pub and Green’s BeerMay 16National Celiac Association

Other landmarks we’ve previously lit up: Niagara Falls, CN Tower, Olympic Stadium (Montreal), Calgary Tower, and many more.

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.

Participating celiac organizations

Beyond Celiac logo
Celiac Disease Foundation logo.
Coeliac Australia logo.
Gluten Intolerance Group
National Celiac Association logo.
Celíacos do Brasil logo.
Coeliac UK logo.
Coeliaque Québec logo.
Hellenic Society logo.
Slovenian Coeliac Society.