If you have been diagnosed with celiac disease you may be looking for ways to get support and to help support others who have the same condition. A smart move is to try looking for others in the same situation as you, so you can grow and learn from each other.

Often organizations are formed to help individuals cope with their disease and to provide support in other ways. The Canadian Celiac Association (CCA) is one such organization.

The initial goals of the CCA were to provide those suffering with the disease with a reliable source of information, to promote research and to provide an environment for support.

The Canadian Celiac Association was founded in 1972 by two women who saw there was a strong need for those with celiac disease to have this kind of information made available to them.

The CCA main office is located in Mississauga, Ontario and is staffed by four employees. The organization is governed by an elected national board of directors which has regional representation across Canada.

Every year the Canadian Celiac Association holds a national conference which is meant to build awareness on the disease.

You can become a member of the CCA for just $50 for a full 12 months. Here is what you receive for becoming a member:

New Members Receive

* A New Member’s Kit that contains material about celiac disease and about coping with the gluten-free diet written by people with celiac disease.
* A copy of the Pocket Dictionary: Acceptability of Food & Food Ingredients for the Gluten-Free Diet
* A subscription to the national newsletter Celiac News
* A membership in the Celiac Chapter closest to them. Chapters provide local information and a subscription to any newsletters they produce

(source – CanadianCeliacAssociation.ca: http://celiac.ca/membership.php )

Overall the Canadian Celiac Association is a great place for anyone with gluten intolerance or who is diagnosed with Celiac disease to get the information, support and encouragement they need to succeed.

Tags: Canadian Celiac Association, CCA