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Subject:
From:
"Melin-Rogovin, Michelle" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Melin-Rogovin, Michelle
Date:
Fri, 22 Sep 2006 14:26:14 -0500
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<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

 

Dear Friends, 

 

For the past five and a half years, I have had the privilege to serve
the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Program as its Executive
Director, and through it, the celiac community across the United States.
On my first day of work, I had a desk and a chair, and a burning desire
to make a difference. I was hired by Dr. Stefano Guandalini and a core
group of dedicated board members who had articulated their vision for a
program for people with celiac disease and their families. 

 

Five and a half years later, our organization is strong as we've served
more than 17,000 people,  answering more than 10,000 telephone and
e-mail requests for information, educating 4,000 people in support group
presentations, performing 1,760 free tests and distributing more than
1,000 care packages, while raising 1.3 million dollars for celiac
disease research and education.  

 

As we approach Celiac Action Day (where we will test 400 more people,
thanks to our partnership with Prometheus Laboratories) I am proud to
say that the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Program is continuing
on its trajectory of success in its creative and unique way. It has been
an honor to work with such an outstanding organization, led by Dr.
Guandalini, a celiac disease expert of the highest caliber. 

 

In early October, I'll be starting a new job. I will miss working with
the celiac community very much. Many of you know I traveled extensively
to support groups for several years, and I know how much dedication and
energy that support group leaders invest in their groups. It was a
pleasure to have talked to so many patients, family members, people
living with celiac disease and leaders over the past five years. I have
developed many good friends and I wish I could send you all a personal
letter!

 

Please know that the program will continue on just as it has, but for a
short time, the office will have one less person! I hope that support
groups and any other businesses or organizations that provide help to
people with celiac disease will provide our website address for
assistance in addition to our phone number: www.celiacdisease.net
<http://www.celiacdisease.net/> . This will help my colleague Ronit in
the short term, until the organization finds the new full time person
who will step into my position. CARE PACKAGES WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE,
don't worry!

 

My last day with the program will be October 6th, but I'll be
volunteering with the program on October 14th at our annual screening.
I'll also be walking on October 14th to raise funds for our program (I'm
looking for team members!) at our Pumpkins in the Park event. If you'd
like to sponsor me you can visit our website!

 

Because of my passion for the University of Chicago Celiac Disease
Program, for it's mission and purpose to transform the lives of people
with celiac disease through education and research, I'm often asked if
I'm a celiac, or a nurse, or a doctor, or a dietitian. I'm not any of
the above. When I learned about celiac disease, I was watching the
evening news on television, and I learned for the first time from Dr.
Guandalini that children could stop growing just from eating a peanut
butter and jelly sandwich. It was that, and the fact that an average
celiac patient waits 11 years for a diagnosis that motivated my desire
to help. I hope that I have, and I appreciate the opportunities that
this community has given me to do so. 

 

Best Wishes, 

Michelle Melin-Rogovin

 
 
Executive Director
University of Chicago Celiac Disease Program
5839 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 4069
Chicago, IL. 60637
Celiac Disease Information Line: 773-702-7593
FAX: 773-702-0666
www.celiacdisease.net
 

* Please remember some posters may be WHEAT-FREE, but not GLUTEN-FREE *
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