This is normally the time of year when St. Albert’s Vic Mitchell would be on his bike for a colossal 1,400-kilometre ride from Victoria to Edmonton. This year, however, the fundraising and promotional event for the Canadian Celiac Association was cancelled because there weren’t enough people prepared to join him.
The good news is that there is a much more accessible replacement going on tomorrow and its objectives are still the same.
The Ride-Walk-Run for Celiacs is set for an afternoon start at the legislature grounds. Program co-ordinator Lori Simon expects to have a few hundred supporters joining her, especially since celiac disease is such a huge dietary issue facing more and more people every day.
Celiac disease is a medical condition in which gluten from wheat damages the inner surface of the small intestine, making it unable to absorb nutrients including protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Estimates are that it affects approximately one out of every 133 people of all age groups. There is no cure but a strict gluten-free diet can help control it.
Simon isn’t discouraged about the hiatus of the long bike ride.
“Last year was our 10th anniversary [of Cycling for Celiacs] and it was such a banner year for us,” she said. That success left a few people looking for a breather and that is why registrations were down this time. “They put in such an amazing effort in raising funds last year and they just really needed that break.”
Tomorrow’s event will still do a lot to promote awareness and show the community that there is a lot of support out there for people learning to adapt. Simon encouraged everyone to bring a picnic basket out to enjoy the wide range of activities and entertainment in the fair-like atmosphere that includes a celiac test and food samples of gluten-free products.
Simon insists that people know the food isn’t bland or boring.
“There are foods that you go to purchase in the store that don’t necessarily taste any different. It’s just that they have to be prepared differently for celiac sufferers.”
Proceeds from the event will go to support celiac research.
