/R E P E A T -- MEDIA ALERT/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY - CELIAC CANADA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS!/

WATERLOO, ON, Feb. 6, 2023 /CNW/ - Media are invited to attend the kick-off of Celiac Canada's 50^th anniversary celebrations and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, the new name (formerly Canadian Celiac Association) and community awards at Rim Recreation Centre, Waterloo, on Saturday, February 11, 2023.

Celiac Canada held its first-ever meeting at the Grand River Hospital (then Kitchener General Hospital) in February 1973. The event includes remarks from Deputy Minister and Ontario Minister of Health, Hon. Sylvia Jones, federal MP Hon. Bardish Chagger and Mayor of Kitchener, His Worship Berry Vrbanovic.

Date:	Saturday, February 11, 2023
Time:	1 – 3:30pm
Presentations:	1:15 - 2:10pm
Location:	Program Room 207, Rim Recreation Centre, 2001 University Ave. E., Waterloo

1:15pm	Welcome remarks, overview and Land Acknowledgement	Melissa Secord, CCA Executive Director
1:20pm	Greetings from the CCA Board of Directors and Plaque Presentation to Grand River Hospital	Jennifer Stebbing, CCA President
1:25pm	Celiac disease past and present	Dr. Maria Ines Pinto-Sanchez, McMaster University
1:35pm	Greetings from the Province of Ontario	Hon. Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
1:40pm	Greetings from the Federal Government	Hon. Bardish Chagger, MP Waterloo
1:45pm	Greetings from Kitchener	His Worship Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor of Kitchener
1:50pm	Patient Impact Story	Bev Ruffo, Former CCA National President
1:55pm	Community & Partner Recognition Awards	Lizbeth Wall, CCA Vice President
2:10pm	Presentation Closing remarks and cake cutting	Melissa Secord

Activities also include:

• What's Your Story – an interactive video booth for people with celiac disease to share their story with the disease.
• Save Me for Gluten-Free Food collection in support of Cambridge Food Bank
• Photo Booth – Inspirational messages for the next 50 years will be shared by people with celiac disease.

ABOUT CELIAC CANADA                                                                                      MEDIA INQUIRIES

Our vision is to have every person with celiac disease diagnosed and empowered. Since 1973, through support of local chapters and its national office, CCA provides services, education, advocacy along with research for people with celiac disease.

About celiac disease: It is a genetic, chronic autoimmune condition that afflicts up to one percent of the world's population yet 85% remain undiagnosed. People with CD cannot consume gluten which is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, triticale, and uncontaminated oats. There is no cure, and the only current treatment is a strict lifelong gluten-free diet. Left undiagnosed or uncontrolled the disease can lead to devastating long term health consequences including anemia, chronic diarrhea, osteoporosis, fertility issues and certain cancers. Celiac disease can strike at any time of life.

SOURCE Celiac Canada

Media Contact: Julie Greene, Assistant Executive Director, Marketing & Sponsorships, Email: [email protected], Cell: 709-746-2705