<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Dear Listmates, The list serves the celiac community well . This is evident from the variety of questions listed and the information that is passed on from very knowledgeable subscribers. Its members provide the essential answers to the queries of the newly diagnosed: " What can I eat. When will I fell better? What do I do If my Doctor is not helping me?" and on. Being part of this list and joining a support group are essential in coping with CD. These steps are necessary for the day-to -day survival of many celiac. However, there are other issues which also occupy listmembers and the Celiac community:, lack of knowledge by health care professionals, incomplete ingredient labeling of drugs and foodstuffs, and a lack of a cohesive, cooperative national lobby on the behalf of celiacs. Only one thing will result in the myriad changes that will fulfill the many needs of Celiacs: AWARENESS. Without public awareness of the many facets of CD, we cannot hope to see significant change from the medical community, the FDA or Food Manufacturers. On and off, over the past year. I have encouraged listmembers to join me in what I called the National Exposure Initiative. This was a letter writing /e-mail camping which targeted media in the US. I would post a name and address of a media outlet and urge listmembers to encourage stories about CD. Some of you joined me in this effort and may have shared my discouragement by the responses received from news organizations. I received a letter from ABC' s 20-20, which said, to the effect. "Sorry, but time constraints limit us to three stories each week." Some time later, I watched a 20-20 report on the amazingly important topic of pet psychology!! ( Pet owners, please don't e-mail me for slighting your neurotic canine). Yet, I think such an initiative is s good idea even more so if the US member ship of the celiac list joins in the effort. So, I issue this challenge. To every listmembers: Once each month, write to the target I post on the list. To national celiac organizations/ publications : Put the target on your mailing list. Publicize this effort in your publications . Let me know if you are willing to join me. Dan Davis