NEWLY DIAGNOSED?

Canadian Celiac Association (CCA) is a national organization representing Canadians with Celiac Disease and Dermatitis Herpetiformis or DH. We are a Registered Medical Charity and member of the Health Charities Council of Canada (HCCC).

Our Local Role

The Calgary Chapter of the CCA provides resources and support to persons with Celiac Disease across Southern Alberta. We continually conduct awareness and educational activities and are currently actively supporting medical research initiatives in Calgary. Our involvement in medical research is primarily through fund raising, chapter member participation in studies, and providing financial support to the medical facilities at the University of Calgary.

BECOME A MEMBER of our organization for $45.00 and receive a New Member's Kit containing material about celiac disease, a pocket dictionary of acceptability foods and other information concerning the gluten-free diet. As well, you will receive newsletters from our local and national office throughout the year.

Our Chapter Coordinator, Karen Renaud, is always willing to answer your questions and address your concerns. Give Karen a call at 237-0304 and find out how else the Calgary Chapter can help you.

• Attend our monthly New Members Orientation
• Sign up for a Peer Counselor which provides you with someone one-on-one to contact; matched by gender and personal situation where possible
• Stay up to date with our chapter newsletter, Calgary Celiac News which contains helpful articles, tasty recipes, meeting and event information and gluten-free vendor advertising.
• Attend social activities ranging from a Gluten-Free Stampede Breakfast to a Gluten-Free Formal Dinner at SAIT.

Information and assistance for celiac seniors:
The Special Needs Assistance for Seniors program from the provincial government provides assistance to lower-income seniors having financial difficulties. In addition to allowable basic expenses for medications covered by the standard allowance, an additional grocery amount may be considered with a note from a doctor confirming that a senior has celiac disease.
(Click here to link to the Alberta Seniors Financial Assistance Program)

CLAIM A PORTION OF YOUR FOOD COST as a medical expense tax deduction:
Effective in 2003 (as outlined on the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency website), the additional cost of Gluten-Free (GF) products is now an eligible medical expense on the T1-individual tax return for the 2003 and subsequent tax years. KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS FOR GLUTEN-FREE FOOD.  Full details are outlined on the link below.
(Click here to link to Celiac Disease - Medical Expenses)

Newly Diagnosed Survival Guide (Powerpoint slideshow)

For more Awareness Guides, click here Awareness Guides