What is Team Gluten-Free™?

CDF Team Gluten-Free™ is a fundraising program that provides a simple way for athletes and non-athletes alike to raise awareness and funds for celiac disease and non-celiac disease gluten sensitivity. Fundraising efforts may include any event from marathons to triathlons, or even bar mitzvahs, wedding favors and virtual fundraisers! The money raised by CDF Team Gluten-Free™ participants goes directly towards summer camp scholarships for children on the gluten-free diet as well as celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity research, support and awareness programs. CDF Team Gluten-Free™ is a fundraising arm of the Celiac Disease Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, public benefit corporation.

BECOME A PART OF TEAM Gluten-Free™

1. Select any race in any city that you wish to participate in. The race can be any distance (5K, 10K, half marathon, full marathon, etc.) and any activity (walk, run, cycle, swim, etc.). Most races can be found on Google or listed in your local running store. You may also want to take a look at marathonguide.com or runnersworld.com for more options.
2. Join Team Gluten-Free™! Register online (see below) quickly and easily. The registration fee includes your Team Gluten-Free™ shirt (choose either a moisture-wicking or cotton shirt), training schedule and fundraising materials. (If you already own a TGF shirt, please refer to the FAQ section). The moisture-wicking shirts are available in adult small, medium, large or extra large. Cotton shirts come in adult small, medium, large or extra large and youth small, medium or large.
3. Be sure to mail, fax or email your completed registration/waiver form to the Team Gluten-Free™ office. The registration form is located at the end of the information packet.
4. Once registered with Team Gluten-Free™, you will receive the Team Gluten-Free™ Welcome Packet which includes fundraising materials and training information.
5. Set up your own fundraising web page! Create a customized fundraising web page and share with your family, friends and coworkers. It costs approximately $400 to send one child to a gluten-free summer camp for a week, so this is a great goal to start with!
6. Train for your race so you are ready for your big day! The Team Gluten-Free™ office can help you find other Team Gluten-Free™ members in your area if you are interested in training with other people.
7. Complete your race wearing your Team Gluten-Free™ shirt and create awareness for Celiac disease!

Kimberly Woody

Kimberly Woody running the Soldier Marathon at Fort Benning the week after NYC Marathon.

What is celiac disease?

Celiac disease is a genetic disorder affecting 1 in 133 Americans. People with celiac disease are unable to digest gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. If gluten is consumed, the small intestinal villi are damaged, preventing the absorption of many important nutrients, causing a variety of health problems. Strict adherence to a gluten-free diet will allow the intestinal lining to heal, and most patients can live a normal and healthy life. However, this can be a difficult task as there are many hidden sources of gluten in processed foods. Gluten is found in all forms of wheat including durum, semolina, spelt and related grain hybrids such as triticale and kamut.

The long-term effect of untreated celiac disease can be life-threatening. Patients have a greater risk of developing other conditions including Addison's disease, autoimmune chronic active hepatitis, Alopecia Areata, Graves' disease, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1), myasthenia gravis, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, and thyroid disease. Adhering to the gluten-free diet is necessary to avoid these complications. Patients must avoid all products containing wheat, barley and rye and their derivatives. There is not yet a pharmaceutical cure for celiac disease.

Fortunately, you can ask your doctor for a simple blood test to see if you have celiac disease.

Download a celiac disease symptom checklist.

Become a Team Gluten-Free™ Member!

Team Gluten-Free™ members receive:

• Comprehensive training schedules
• Race day team tank or t-shirt
• Fundraising materials and ideas
• Nutrition, hydration and clothing advice

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to complete a personal goal and, at the same time, support celiac disease research and awareness programs and send celiac children to camp.

Register Now!

Adult Youth

Name of Event:

Date of Event:

Event Type: athletic other/non-athletic