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          New Organization for CD Research and Education<2>
          -------------------------------------------------

Friends of Celiac Disease Research, Inc.  (FCDR) is a non-profit
charitable corporation devoted to assisting people with celiac disease
(CD) and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), primarily by supporting
efforts in CD research and education.  It is headquartered in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

FCDR 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 CD 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 CD in 1998.
FCDR is helping to fund the awareness campaign and paid for the
production of the announcement.  Gannon is now the national
spokesperson for CD.  He kicked off the campaign on July 6, 2000 with
a press conference at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in
Baltimore

FCDR was founded in 1999 by Ellen Mechanic-Schlossmann and Michael
Schlossmann.  Their son, Benjamin, began experiencing digestive
problems shortly after gluten was added to his diet.  He was tested
extensively for various ailments but his CD was not diagnosed until he
was 3-1/2 years old.  Proper diagnosis and aid from the local support
group have enabled Benjamin to grow into the energetic youth he is
today.

The absence of CD information, education, and research delayed
Benjamin's diagnosis and continues to do the same to others.  Through
FCDR the Mechanic and Schlossmann families hope to aid in CD education
and research, and improve the lives of celiacs.

For further information regarding FCDR, including how to become a
volunteer, dates of upcoming fundraising events, or how to make a
donation, contact:

   Friends of Celiac Disease, Inc.
   Ellen Mechanic-Schlossmann, Founder & President
   Dana Tehako-Esser, Executive Director
   8832 North Port Washington Road, #204
   Milwaukee, WI  53217
   Phone:     414-540-6679
   Facsimile: 414-352-1734
   E-mail:    [log in to unmask]