A Spoonful of Wellness and the Anchorage Gluten-free Support group are pleased to report that Senator Cathy Giessel (R-AK) has introduced SRC 16 to the House of Representatives, designating May as National Celiac Awareness Month.
I am encouraging all Alaskan Celiacs (and their loved ones) to spread the word about this groundbreaking bill and contact their Members of Congress to cosponsor the measure. New York and California are the only other states with such a resolution in place. This resolution will also serve to align the United States with South America, Europe and Australia for the international observance of May as Celiac Disease Awareness month.
I believe that there is a strong chance to get the measure passed very soon so please, act now!I am encouraging all Alaskan Celiacs (and their loved ones) to spread the word about this groundbreaking bill and contact their Members of Congress to cosponsor the measure. New York and California are the only other states with such a resolution in place. This resolution will also serve to align the United States with South America, Europe and Australia for the international observance of May as Celiac Disease Awareness month.
Contact your senator or representative and ask them to cosponsor and support SCR 16.
Click here to find your representative:
http://www.elections.alaska.
Click here for contact information:
http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/
The picture is sample letter you can use! Here is the wording for you to copy and paste:
<Date>, 2012
Alaska State Legislature
120 4th Street, State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Dear Committee Members of the House and Senate,
<As a diagnosed celiac (or loved one of a diagnosed celiac)>, I am writing to ask you to join with Senator Cathy Giessel (R-AK) by co-sponsoring SCR 16, which endorses May as Celiac Disease Awareness Month.
Celiac Disease affects 1 in 133 individuals in the United States or roughly 1% of our population. This equals over 3 million Americans, including more than 5,000 Alaskans. These facts were confirmed in 2004 by the National Institutes of Health, yet 97% are undiagnosed with this autoimmune disease because of the lack of awareness and research.
Your support and passage of this resolution will encourage screening and early detection thereby eliminating costly medical expenses from delayed diagnosis and unnecessary years of suffering with a compromised quality of life. The average length of time from symptoms onset to diagnosis is 6-10 years. <I was diagnosed after __ years.> This resolution will also serve to align the United States with South America, Europe and Australia for the international observance of May as Celiac Disease Awareness month.
I thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
<Your name>
Please post any questions you may have! I look forward to posting more the day this has passed!
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