I recived this press release from the Mets and I’m very happy to pass it on to you guys:
FLUSHING, N.Y., May 25, 2011 – The New York Mets,
the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) and Raising Our Celiac Kids
(R.O.C.K.) Long Island have teamed to host Celiac Disease Awareness Night this Friday,
May 27 at Citi Field when the Mets take on the Philadelphia Phillies at 7:10 p.m.
Fans will be treated
to pre-game activities in the Left Field Landing designed to raise awareness of
celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder triggered by the protein gluten found in
wheat, barley and rye. Along with a
visit by Mr. Met and a menu of gluten-free food and beverages, SNY Field
Reporter Kevin Burkhardt, who suffers from celiac disease, will be on hand to
host a silent auction of sports memorabilia and special packages, including an
opportunity to shadow Burkhardt pre-game at a Mets home game and a chance to
watch the Mets take batting practice from the field.
The Mets have gluten
free options available at every game at the Kozy Shack Gluten Free Stand,
located in the Taste of the City on Field Level in Right Field, which offers a
variety of Kozy Shack puddings and gels, sausage and peppers, hot dogs,
hamburgers, buns and Redbridge beer. These options will also be available in
the Left Field Landing on this special night.
The View’s ElisabethHasselbeck, who also suffers from the disease, will be honored before the game
for her contributions in the Celiac community. Hasselbeck has written a best-selling
book “The G Free Diet” about the disease and started her own line of gluten
free protein bars called nogii.
Celiac disease affectsone in every 100 Americans. Cases of
celiac disease have increased fourfold since the 1950’s, yet 90% of those
affected by the ailment live undiagnosed.
Left untreated, celiac disease can lead to further complications such as
autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis, thyroid disease and some cancers. Currently, the only known treatment for
celiac disease is a complete gluten-free diet.
Citi Field offers several gluten-free concessions stands for fans all
season long.
Tickets for Celiac
Disease Awareness Night can be purchased through Mets.com/celiac or by calling (718)
507-TIXX. Net proceeds from the night
will go towards celiac education and awareness programs through the NFCA and
R.O.C.K. Long Island. Fans purchasing tickets through this offer will receive a Mets ticket holder and a
lanyard.
About the National
Foundation for Celiac Awareness:
The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of celiac disease in order to gain prompt and accurate diagnoses for those suffering, supporting the health and wellbeing of those with the disease, and facilitating research that will better understand the disorder and find a cure. For more information, visit www.celiaccentral.org.
About Raising Our
Celiac Kids Long Island:
Raising Our Celiac
Kids (R.O.C.K.) Long Island is a free support group for parents, families and
friends of kids on a gluten-free diet. R.O.C.K.
Long Island is raising funds to benefit the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia
University which is the premier Center in the United States that provides
comprehensive medical care, including nutrition, for adult and pediatric
patients with celiac disease. The Center is diagnosing and treating more
than 2,800 patients annually from around the world. For more information, visit www.rockli.com.
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