National Celiac Disease Awareness Day
September 13
About National Celiac Disease Awareness Day
National Celiac Disease Awareness Day takes place every year on 13 September. It raises awareness of coeliac disease, a serious autoimmune condition triggered by gluten, and encourages earlier diagnosis and better understanding of the gluten-free diet. The date was chosen to honour Dr Samuel Gee, a pioneering physician in coeliac research, who was born on 13 September 1839.
What is National Celiac Disease Awareness Day?
National Celiac Disease Awareness Day is a United States observance dedicated to educating the public about coeliac disease and supporting those who live with it. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, damages the lining of the small intestine. The day promotes recognition of symptoms, encourages testing, and champions the strict gluten-free diet that is currently the only effective treatment.
When is National Celiac Disease Awareness Day?
National Celiac Disease Awareness Day is held on 13 September each year, and in 2026 it falls on Sunday, 13 September. It is a fixed-date observance, chosen specifically to mark the birthday of Dr Samuel Gee, whose work helped shape the modern understanding of the condition.
Why National Celiac Disease Awareness Day Matters
Coeliac disease is far more common than many people realise, affecting roughly 1 in 100 people worldwide and an estimated three million people in the United States. Yet the great majority of cases go undetected: studies suggest that around 80 percent of Americans with coeliac disease are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, leaving them at risk of long-term complications. Raising awareness is vital because the symptoms are wide-ranging and easily mistaken for other conditions, and because the only treatment, a lifelong gluten-free diet, depends on an accurate diagnosis in the first place.
How to Get Involved in National Celiac Disease Awareness Day
There are many ways to mark the day and support the coeliac community:
- Learn the symptoms – Familiarise yourself with signs such as digestive problems, fatigue, anaemia and unexplained weight loss, which can point to coeliac disease.
- Encourage testing – If you or someone you know has persistent symptoms, encourage a conversation with a doctor about screening before removing gluten from the diet.
- Support a coeliac charity – Organisations such as Beyond Celiac and the Celiac Disease Foundation fund research and provide trusted information.
- Try a gluten-free recipe – Cooking a gluten-free meal helps you understand the daily realities of the diet.
- Raise awareness at work or school – Share accurate information and help colleagues or classmates understand the condition.
- Champion safe food handling – Learn about cross-contamination so that gluten-free meals are genuinely safe for those who need them.
- Share your story – People living with coeliac disease can help others by talking openly about diagnosis and daily management.
- Spread the word online – Use the day to post facts and dispel myths about coeliac disease and the gluten-free diet.
History of National Celiac Disease Awareness Day
The day honours Dr Samuel Gee, a British physician widely regarded as a founding figure in the understanding of coeliac disease. In 1887 he delivered a lecture at the Hospital for Sick Children in London that presented the first modern description of the condition, and he was among the earliest to recognise that its symptoms could be managed through diet.
The 13 September date was selected because it is Gee’s birthday; he was born on that day in 1839. By tying the observance to his birth, the awareness day pays tribute to his lasting contribution to coeliac research.
In the United States, the observance gained formal recognition when a Senate resolution calling for the commemoration was approved, asking that all people of the United States become more informed and aware of coeliac disease. The day has since become an annual focal point for patient charities, clinicians and the wider gluten-free community.
Noteworthy Facts About National Celiac Disease Awareness Day
- The day falls on 13 September, the birthday of Dr Samuel Gee, born in 1839.
- Coeliac disease affects roughly 1 in 100 people worldwide.
- An estimated three million people in the United States have the condition.
- Around 80 percent of US cases are thought to be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
- A strict, lifelong gluten-free diet is currently the only effective treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Celiac Disease Awareness Day?
It is a US awareness day on 13 September that promotes understanding of coeliac disease, encourages earlier diagnosis and supports people who follow a gluten-free diet.
When is National Celiac Disease Awareness Day in 2026?
It falls on Sunday, 13 September 2026.
Why is the day held on 13 September?
The date marks the birthday of Dr Samuel Gee, born on 13 September 1839, who gave the first modern description of coeliac disease.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing National Celiac Disease Awareness Day with your friends, family and followers. Use the hashtags #CeliacAwarenessDay and #CeliacAwarenessDay2026 on social media. The more people who understand coeliac disease, the sooner those living with it can be diagnosed and supported.
Related Awareness Days
- Coeliac Awareness Month – A month-long campaign raising awareness of coeliac disease and the gluten-free diet.
- World Digestive Health Day – Highlights the importance of digestive health and conditions affecting the gut.
- National Guide Dog Month – Another September health and wellbeing observance supporting those who live with a long-term condition.
Links
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
Every key awareness day at a glance. Perfect for offices, staff rooms, and team planning.
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