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Vt. (WCAX) – A Vermont teenager organized a craft fair fundraiser to raise money and awareness for celiac disease, an illness she said took years to diagnose
Annika Loucks, who organized the event, said she suffered from stomach issues for years before receiving her diagnosis. She said she hopes Annika’s Fall Festival not only raises money toward finding a treatment and cure, but also helps people understand how challenging the disease is for those who have it
“It’s more serious than just don’t eat gluten. I think a lot of people dismiss it for that,” Loucks said
Loucks described the disease’s effect on her body using a comparison to help explain it
“Having celiac is like the storm troopers in Star Wars when they try to shoot you and they shoot everywhere. It’s what my body does when gluten enters my system. It attacks me and the gluten itself it doesn’t recognize,” Loucks said
The disease causes the immune system to damage the inside lining of the small intestine, leading to a range of health problems, according to the script. Loucks said dining out is nearly impossible because even a small amount of gluten cross-contamination makes her sick
The event, held in Belvidere, featured music, games, shopping, and food. It raised $5,000
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