Introduction:
The Celiac Sprue Association is a worldwide, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to helping individuals with celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis through support, education and research.
History
Pat Murphy Garst of Des Moines, Iowa was diagnosed with celiac disease in December of 1977. In her search for information, she developed one of the first Gluten-Free Cookbooks. She began by contacting everyone that had purchased her cookbook, created for individuals and families dealing with a celiac disease diet. Twelve individuals responded and together donated $75 to create the Midwest Celiac Association (MCSA). The first official meeting was held in January, 1978 and by the end of February of the same year, MCSA served members in 11 states. Pat Garst was elected the first president of the organization.
Lifeline, the MCSA quarterly newsletter, was officially named in a contest by members in 1981. From the Lifeline publications, the creation of the CSA Gluten-Free Product Listing evolved. The first annual CSA educational conference was held in October of 1978. Members representing 127 families from 23 states attended the first conference.
In 1984, MCSA drafted bylaws to create the Celiac Sprue Association/United States of America (CSA/USA), using the MCSA membership and assets. On January 30, 1985, MCSA officially incorporated into the Celiac Sprue Association/United States of America, Inc. Regional Directors and Members-At-Large, representing six regions were elected. CSA Chapters were established, area Resource Units were approved and medical and dietitian advisors were appointed. That same year CSA/USA was designated an IRS 501 (c ) (3) charity. A new IRS Determination Letter was issued in 2002 with “Revised Articles of Incorporation.”
In 2004, CSA developed a recognition seal program. Working with individual company partners, the CSA registered trademark assures the consumer confidence that the trademarked product is free of wheat, barley, rye and oats (WBRO).
On August 19, 2004, a foundation was officially established, the Affiliated American CSA Foundation, Inc. AACSA Foundation aids and assists the CSA mission, activities and membership. The AACSA Foundation also promotes and encourages the support of the organization through financial contributions. Separate volunteer officers serve the work of the AACSA Foundation.
Today
Today, CSA enjoys a membership of 10,000 members worldwide. CSA sponsors over 125 volunteer Chapters and 65 volunteer Resource Units across the United States, serving as the largest non-profit information and referral organization representing the celiac community in the United States. The organization employs an executive director and staff, but is also served by a dedicated force of CSA volunteer officers, board members and committee members across the United States.
Services
In fulfilling its mission of service, CSA provides new patient support through consultation by phone, website and email. They publish and distribute the newest scientific information relating to celiac disease, provide the latest research data and publish annually “The CSA Gluten-Free Product Listing.” A complete informational website is maintained by CSA, along with organizing an annual national educational conference. CSA is a voice in Washington, D.C., participating in the Digestive Disease National Coalition (DDNC), working with national representatives and creating a visible awareness to other Washington advocacy groups, promoting the CSA mission “Celiacs Helping Celiacs.”
Future
CSA supports individuals diagnosed with celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis and their families. CSA will continue to search for avenues to assist “Celiacs Helping Celiacs.” CSA will continue to search for avenues to assist “Celiacs Helping Celiacs.”
You can help in the following ways:
- Join CSA. Become a member of CSA and join our efforts in "Celiacs Helping Celiacs".
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- Donate to CSA to assist in a specific area such as administration, publications, technology upgrades, camp/conference scholarships and research or as an undesignated gift.
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- Support and communicate with CSA by sharing your information, concerns, personal success stories and recipes, because your success is our success.
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To e-mail CSA
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- Educate others about CSA and the membership mission of “Celiacs Helping Celiacs.”
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