The University of Maryland School of Medicine received a 45 million dollar donation for research into autoimmune diseases like celiac, multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes, and more. The gift, from Indiana couple Ken and Shelia Cafferty, is the largest private donation in the history of the University System of Maryland.
The money will go toward funding three major areas of research:
- Celiac disease
- Mucosal biology
- Bacteria/microbe – host interactions
4 Responses
It would appear, everyone and anything can be bought if the price is right! Is non celiac sensitivity a real disease with real consequences? I seriously doubt it!
I’m disappointed in Dr. Fasano. I thought he was better than that. I wonder if Dr. Green would have had a different opinion during the Nightline interview if he had been the recipient of the $45 million?
Wow Goldie. What an insult to the 100’s of thousands of people without celiac disease that have improved going on a gluten free diet.
Oh, and by the way, Dr. Green does acknowledge the existence of non celiac gluten sensitivity.
Why do some people with a diagnosis of “celiac” feel threatened by the idea that other people’s bodies have a different negative reaction to gluten than theirs?
Just a few of the crippling conditions that studies show gluten is related to are schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. Why would someone with a diagnosis of celiac be opposed to a researcher working to alleviate the suffering of these people?
A battle over whose diagnosis or symptoms are worse or more “real” undermines building a united community of gluten-affected people. And given how entrenched gluten is at all levels of our society, our community needs all the power we can muster to make the world safe and welcoming for those who cannot tolerate gluten.
Tracy,
I could not have said it better myself. Thank you for sharing your eloquent and passionate truths.
All the best,
Dr. O