Meetings

We welcome you to attend our meetings whether you are a Celiac, family member, friend or just someone wanting to learn more. Our meetings are always informative and supportive. Gluten-free goodies are always provided.

When: Always the FIRST WEDNESDAY of each month 7:00 PM to 9:00 (approx)

Where: Paradise Valley Retirement Center 11645 N. 25th Place Phoenix, AZ 85028

Directions: From Highway 51 and Cactus: Travel west to N. 25th Place. Turn left onto N. 25th Place and proceed for a couple of blocks. The Paradise Valley Retirement Center will be on the left. Please park on the street. Our meetings are held in the office/community room. (For door-to-door driving directions, visit Google. )

Cost: None. Donations, however, are gladly accepted to help cover group expenses such as mailings, new member packets, name tags, distribution of information to area doctors, and more. We do offer and encourage membership. Information on this is found on our "Membership" page.

Refreshments: Group members and guests volunteer gluten free refreshments for our refreshment table. Because some of us have other food intolerances, we ask that each food item volunteered for our refreshment table be accompanied by an ingredients list (including brand). We all do our best to make sure items are safe for everyone's consumption, but the final decision is always the responsibility of the individual.

Gluten: The Silent Enemy!

By Tay Coben
During the summer of 2010 I had begun to feel nauseous constantly. It became a chronic condition and I didn't mention it to my parents because I didn't really think that anything was wrong. 

However when I began to notice in pictures that I looked very bloated and I was fatigued all the time, along with unexplained weight gain, I decided to tell my parents of my troubles. 

My mom took me to our pediatrician who didn't think much of my symptoms but decided to do a blood panel just to make sure. Everything checked out fine, so she advised us not to worry. But when symptoms began to effect my day to day routine, my mom went back to the paediatrician. 

She thought something may actually be wrong, so she ordered an ultrasound. The ultrasound revealed numerous hemangioma's on my liver which are benign tumors. 

My doctor decided that this was the cause of my problems and to confirm the diagnosis she ordered an MRI. The MRI confirmed the hemangioma and that was the end of her involvement because there is no treatment for these tumors unless they cause other problems. 

The answer? She explained the fatigue as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) caused by Mononucleosis that I contracted a year earlier, and the nausea was due to the tumors and those would go away in a few months. However, when a month passed with no relief, my mom decided that we needed to see a naturopath because she believed that my problems were related to food.

The NMD ordered ONE blood test to test my levels of IgE antibodies, and the answer was clear: I had Celiac Disease. 

He said that all of my symptoms could be explained. I was nutrient deprived because my immune system was hard at work attacking the gluten thus flattening the villi of my small intestine, and this made me tired. My immune systems response to the gluten also caused my nausea, weight gain, and fatigue. 

He suggested that we take a trip to the grocery store, explore my options and then I would have to be on a gluten free diet for the rest of my life. 


I have now been on a gluten free diet and medication to repair my intestine, and all of my problems have resolved (well except for my sleepiness, but I'm a teen- what can you say?!). 

I have decided to become an advocate for the people who have gone undiagnosed, because of doctors response to looking for a reason that is treatable or curable. 

I believe that my doctor failed to see this disease because there is no cure, and I am working to educate the medical community on the seriousness of this condition. I know its a cliche to say, but this diagnosis changed my life, and my hope is that one day, no one will be undiagnosed!


Peace, Love, Cure... Celiac Disease

School Nurse Awareness Campaign

"Are you a school nurse? Do you see the same student in your health office day after day? Is the complaint always the same?  Is this child a “frequent flyer” just trying to get out of class or is there a medical explanation that has not, yet, been diagnosed.  The fact of the matter is - the school nurse is on the front line when it comes to recognizing a child who may have celiac disease, a potentially life threatening condition.

CDF: Greater Phoenix Chapter is available to school districts in the Greater Phoenix area with a presentation that educates nurses on celiac disease, how to recognize it and how schools can accommodate students already diagnosed with the condition. Help your school nurses to learn more about celiac disease by paraticipating in this program.

Contact us for more information:
602-622-7461"

Our President Nina is working to raise awareness for CD with school nurses in order to diagnose more kids! Please support the program (:

Peace, Love, Cure... Celiac Disease

Gluten Free Night with the Diamondbacks!

This is super exciting everyone! The CDF is going to have a gluten-free/CD awareness night at the May 25th game against the Milwaukee Brewers! Please come to support the CDF, and you'll have a great time!


Click Here  for more Information!

Peace, Love, Cure... Celiac Disease

Foothills Food Bank Gluten-Free Food Drive!

Foothills Food Bank has an ongoing gluten-free food drive! Please donate any food items (: We always have a donation box at our meetings!

Click Here for more information!

Peace, Love, Cure... Celiac Disease

Gluten Friendly Valley Restaurants

Here's a link to the list of Celiac friendly valley restaurants!

Bon Appetit!

http://www.urbanspoon.com/t/22/1/Phoenix/Gluten-Free-Friendly-restaurants

Peace, Love, Cure... Celiac Disease

Gluten Free EXPO- April 21st, 2012!

GUESTS CLICK HERE!



Check our the link for our upcoming Gluten-Free Expo on April 21st! Hope to see you there!


Peace, Love, Cure... Celiac Disease

Welcome to Phoenix Celiac Juniors

Welcome to the official blog for PHOENIX CELIAC JUNIORS! Phoenix Celiac Juniors is a sub-section of the Celiac Disease Foundation: Greater Phoenix Area devoted to helping kids and teens in the Phoenix area who have Celiac Disease. On this blog you’ll be able to find great information about CD and the gluten free lifestyle. You’ll also be able to find recipes, links to other Celiac sites, and other Celiac related information. Check out our Facebook page, “Phoenix Celiac Juniors,” and our Yahoo Health Group page, “Phoenix Celiac Jrs.” Also please visit the webpage of our parent group, www.phoenixceliac.org. Feel free to spread the word about PCJ and Celiac Disease!

Peace, Love, Cure… Celiac Disease