<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

New organization supports celiac disease research & education
Ellen Mechanic-Schlossmann, the mother of a child with celiac disease,
is thrilled to announce the establishment Friends of Celiac Disease
Research, Inc.  Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Friends of Celiac
Research is a non-profit charitable corporation devoted to assisting
people with celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis (CD/DH),
primarily by supporting the efforts in research and education of celiac
disease.

Friends of Celiac Disease Research is working with the University of
Maryland Center for Celiac Research to launch a nationwide public
service and awareness campaign.  Its first collaborative effort to
increase awareness of celiac disease is to distribute a public service
announcement for television featuring Oakland Raiders Pro Bowl
quarterback Rich Gannon and his three-year-old daughter Danielle, who
was diagnosed with celiac disease in 1998.  Friends of Celiac Disease
Research is helping to fund the awareness campaign and paid for the
production of the PSA.

Gannon is now the national spokesperson for celiac disease.  He kicked
off the campaign on July 6, 2000 with a press conference at the
University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore.  Please watch
for news reports and let us know what you hear.

Friends of Celiac Disease Research, Inc. was founded in 1999 by the
parents of Benjamin Schlossmann, Ellen Mechanic-Schlossmann and Michael
Schlossmann.  Benjamin began experiencing digestive problems shortly
after foods containing gluten were added to his diet in infancy.  He was
tested extensively for various ailments but his celiac disease was not
diagnosed until he was 3 1/2 years old.  Proper diagnosis and aid from
the local support group has enabled Benjamin's family to watch him grow
into the energetic youth he is today.

The absence of information, education and research on celiac disease
delayed Benjamin's diagnosis and continues to do the same for others.
It is through Friends of Celiac Disease Research that the Mechanic and
Schlossmann families hope to aid in celiac disease education and
research, and improve the lives of people with celiac disease.

If you would like further information regarding Friends of Celiac
Disease Research, including how to become a volunteer, dates of upcoming
fundraising events, or to make a donation, please contact us.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Ellen Mechanic-Schlossmann, Founder & President

Dana Tehako-Esser, Executive Director

8832 North Port Washington Road #204

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217

Phone:  414.540.6679

Facsimile:  414.352.1734

E-mail:  [log in to unmask]