Philanthropys Impact on Kids with Celiac Disease

When Blair Raber learned that her 15-year-old daughter Kate had celiac disease, she was determined to not just help her daughter live a healthy life, but also improve the lives of others with celiac. Her support helped create the celiac disease program at Children's National, which follows about 200 children with celiac disease. The program was highlighted in an article in the Washington Post, "Skipping Birthday Cake and Other Treats, When You're a Kid with Celiac Disease." Children with celiac aren't treated with medicine; they need to avoid all foods with gluten, which can be challenging when they attend school, birthday parties, sleepovers, and play dates. Children's National offers medical and nutritional care, but also individual therapy and group sessions. “This allows the kids to be kids without having to be vigilant and without having to worry about what’s going into their mouths,” Raber said. Read the article.