<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
========================= News Highlights
1. Mary Alice Warren's friends will be delighted of the knowledge that she
was listed in Who's Who of American Women", 19th Edition, 1995-1996.
2. The US Celiac Coalition is working for celiacs and needs your
assistance. At the organizational meeting in Chicago, it was apparent that
there is a collection of talents for special projects. The problem is
finding, identifying those talents and then matching them up with others for
sharing the work load when a need arises.
The ActionLine is asking anyone with a desire to assist or a specialized
talent to volunteer. As a new group, any area of expertise has a potential
for filling in a void. Our challenge is great and there are many tasks that
will demand our time. The Coalition will establish a plan based upon the
available assets. If you can help, please contact The ActionLine or inform
your local support group officers.
Support Group Identification in various locations is one of the wonderful
benefits of the initial work of the US Coalition. Anyone interested in the
location of a possible group in a city can request this information from The
ActionLine. If we know of a group or a celiac spoke person near a city, we
will pass it along. Regrettably there are still too many celiacs who do not
know of a local group or any other celiacs.
3. Helping other Celiacs: Many techniques are available for reaching out
and being of assistance to a newly diagnosed celiac. Each one has its
personal rewards. A simple one is to inform every medical agency or person
that you are willing to assist their celiac patients in finding information
about the GF lifestyle from a fellow celiac. This assistance can be as
simple as explaining where you buy GF products, which newsletters you
subscribe to, or the name and address of a local or national support group.
4. Food Allergy Awareness Campaign: The Food Allergy Network through the
support of the national Restaurant Assoc. has established a program to teach
restaurant worker ways to help patrons avoid food problems and what to do
if a reaction occurs. For information contact: Food Allergy Network, 4744
Holly Ave., Fairfax, VA 22030, (703) 691-3179. (1)
5. Gluten Intolerance Group of NA Annual Conference is April 27-28, 1996
in Bellevue Washington. Meeting times are: 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday
and 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. For details contact GIG of NA, PO Box
23053, Seattle, WA 98102-0353.
6. Celiac Cruises: The ActionLine does not have any relationship or
additional information on these cruises.
Norwegian Cruise Lines, New York departure to Bermuda, Sept. 28 to
Oct. 5. Gina Bennett at (215) 957-1413.
Commodore Cruise, New Orleans departure to Yucatan, Mar 1996. Diane
Schaefers at (504) 887-2750.
Royal Cruise Line, Scandinavian Capitals & St Petersburg, Jun. 8, 96
Mar Go Travel, (604) 943-6141, (800) 668-7022.
7. A Proposed Law that could have adverse impact on a celiac health is
under consideration by TennCare, the Tennessee Medical System for selected
individuals. RxCare is the associated pharmacy network. They have proposed
a plan to reward pharmacists who reduce TennCare costs. ". . . at issue is
RxCare's proposal to contain abuse and fraud by urging member pharmacists
to favor less-expensive medicine and whenever possible, fewer prescriptions.
That could encourage pharmacists to override a physicians suggestions on
which drug is best for a particular patient." (2)
The use of generic medicines is acceptable for celiacs, when ingredients
are GF and the desired medical result is obtained. Generic drug ingredients
are harder to track, changes in ingredients or companies, between refills,
may create additional work to ensure their GF status. Additionally, this
changes a medical relationship in that the medical directions given by a
doctor can be altered in an attempt to save costs. Factors to consider
before using generics or any medications are: the complete ingredients and
the technical differences. Critical factors when the medication causes the
celiac to be off a GF diet.
8. Gluten-Free Living: The new, professional magazine for celiac first
issue will be distributed in January. A subscription for this magazine
with in-depth stories of techniques for living a GF diet, can be obtained
by sending $29.00 per year to PO Box 105, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706.
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