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    Jefferson Adams
    Jefferson Adams

    Record $45 Million to Fund Celiac Disease Research at University of Maryland

    Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert.
    Record $45 Million to Fund Celiac Disease Research at University of Maryland - Badly needed research funding goes to Celiac Disease Research at University of Maryland. Photo--U of M.
    Caption: Badly needed research funding goes to Celiac Disease Research at University of Maryland. Photo--U of M.

    Celiac.com 11/22/2010 - A $45 million donation to University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research will be used to create a first-of-its-kind institute to find new treatments, and perhaps a cure, for celiac disease. The donation comes at the behest of the family of a grateful patient from Indiana, Shelia Cafferty.

    The institute made possible by the donation could eventually employ up to 200 doctors and researchers who will not only study celiac disease, but use it as a model to better understand other associated autoimmune disorders, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

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    Dr. Alessio Fasano, Director of the Center for Celiac Research announced the donation at a press conference at West Baltimore's University of Maryland BioPark.

    Speaking about the donation, Fasano told interviewers that raising "enough money is always a problem" for celiac research, and that what has been needed "for a major breakthrough is thinking out of the box, and this will allow us to do just that."

    In some ways, Cafferty's nutritional health battle is similar to that fought by many people with celiac disease and gluten-intolerance.

    She suffered nine years of debilitating gastrointestinal symptoms and rashes before she began to suspect wheat a few years ago. Cafferty, a nurse, put herself on a gluten-free diet, which provided relief, but not all of the answers.

    She continued to visit doctors looking for answers. About a year ago, Cafferty's determined husband tracked down Dr. Fasano, who was able to diagnose her gluten sensitivity. 

    Fasano's diagnosis provided tremendous relief for the Caffertys, and left them with a resolve to help save others from going through similar suffering.

    "There are a lot of people like me, not getting answers," she said by phone from Indiana. She was unable to make the announcement with her husband Ken. "When you don't feel good, it impacts your activity and your daily living."

    As a result of their gratitude and resolve, Sue Cafferty and her husband Ken gave $5 million to Fasano's center and arranged for the donation of another $40 million from a foundation with which they are affiliated, but which declined to be named.

    Ken Cafferty said he and his wife want their money to raise the public's and doctors' awareness, as well as to fund research into treatments and a cure for celiac disease and other autoimmune disorders. "It's heartbreaking to see someone you love suffer," he said.

    During the press conference, Dr. Jay Perman, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore, said he expected the celiac center to collaborate with numerous researchers across, and that research done "using the Cafferty's funds will...enable research to result in real solutions for patients and their families."



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    Guest VICKIE

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    I could only dream of something like this happening for me and for someone to actually give me a true diagnosis of celiac disease, or whatever so I can have my life back. I'm only 42 years old and seems like I'm 90ish on most days. I have difficulty everyday with ADL's yes I'm a nurse as well but have so many system/body malfunctions no one knows what to do or how to help and without being able to work for last 3 years because of becoming worse and worse and have a grandson to raise that has autism spectrum disorder, and no insurance to get the help I need. II assume they will tell my family when they do my autopsy which I have greatly stressed to my family. Thank God for those doctors and people who haven't forgotten what the medical field is all about and the oath we have taken!

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  • About Me

    Jefferson Adams

    Jefferson Adams is Celiac.com's senior writer and Digital Content Director. He earned his B.A. and M.F.A. at Arizona State University. His articles, essays, poems, stories and book reviews have appeared in numerous magazines, journals, and websites, including North American Project, Antioch Review, Caliban, Mississippi Review, Slate, and more. He is the author of more than 2,500 articles on celiac disease. His university coursework includes studies in science, scientific methodology, biology, anatomy, physiology, medicine, logic, and advanced research. He previously devised health and medical content for Colgate, Dove, Pfizer, Sharecare, Walgreens, and more. Jefferson has spoken about celiac disease to the media, including an appearance on the KQED radio show Forum, and is the editor of numerous books, including "Cereal Killers" by Scott Adams and Ron Hoggan, Ed.D.

    >VIEW ALL ARTICLES BY JEFFERSON ADAMS

     


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