Celiac Disease Day was celebrated in May with many interesting activities organized by Center for Management of Celiac Disease from National Institute for Mother and Child Health “Alessandrescu Rusescu” Bucharest, Romania, coordinated by dr. Alina Popp.

In the first half of the month, a gluten free baking workshop for children, “Pastry without gluten in the hands of children”, was organized with the support of Kids Chef Academy from Bucharest. During the session, the 11 participants had a hands-on experience and learned how to prepare gluten free pastry from a professional pastry chef.

Dr. Alina Popp highlighted the importance of such experiences in order to allow children on a GF diet to learn how to manage their diet and to connect with others also on a GF diet. Additionally, dr. Popp mentioned the need for more education of the general public regarding celiac diseases and gluten free diet, as well as the need for increased diagnosis. A short video from the event can be watched online on INSMC Facebook page at the link below: https://fb.watch/dxGr7UGjow/, and the informational material from dr Popp at the below link: https://www.facebook.com/insmcalessandrescurusescu/videos/1173212603426848/.

With the goal of raising the national awareness regarding the celiac disease and its challenges, dr. Alina Popp participated to the morning show Vorbește lumea on PROTV, the most important private TV channel in Romania. Information about celiac disease and the necessity of gluten free diet was presented during the interview. Dr. Popp also answered questions about challenges that children face regarding the diet and regarding the diagnosis and provided clues when to think about celiac disease in children. The interview is available at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/insmcalessandrescurusescu/videos/578229600248695/.

A Q&A session for patients was held online on 23th May via Facebook INSMC page. During this session many parents with children with celiac disease or other patients with gluten-induced medical conditions addressed questions regarding the diagnosis, the gluten-free diet and its necessity. The answers were provided live by Alina Popp.

The activities run by INSMC “Alessandrescu-Rusescu”, the Center for Management of Celiac Disease during May aimed to raise awareness regarding celiac disease. We believe that still many people do not know about celiac disease and our goal is to highlight the fact that the gluten free diet is not something in fashion, but a necessity and the only treatment for persons with celiac disease.